Diageo, Marriage

Members:

1997 Television 87% Report A Problem

To the tune of "Que Sera Sera," chefs put the finishing touches on a four-tiered wedding cake. A woman wearing her wedding dress rides in a white Mercedes limousine (complete with bow) next to a fellow in his tux as the song asks the questions, "When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, 'What will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?"

The song continues, "Here's what she said to me: 'Whatever will be, will be.'" The woman steps out and walks into the room and down the aisle for her marriage.

She reaches the front, where her bride awaits. Then at the reception, in front of the cake, which now has two brides on top, the women kiss.

The tagline: "Every revolution starts with a splash of red."

The tagline seems to be a twist on a reference to war, here implying the brand name and that two women together are revolutionary.

It is an unabashedly positive portrayal, showing no negative connotations or implications for some guy who lost out to another woman. It is also disappointing and significant that the advertiser backed out of airing the commercial.

Company

Diageo

Brand

Johnnie Walker Red

Industry

Alcoholic Beverages

Media Outlet

Television

Country

Australia

Region

Australia/New Zealand

Agency

Leo Burnett Co.

AdRespect Themes

Same-Sex Affection

Same-Sex Couples/Families

Male-Fantasy Lesbian

User Comments

Cece Benjamin

Gorgeous ad! Excellent product placement, very subtle. Success in sending a very strong message and pitching their product! Superb! This ad needs to be put back into rotation. Bravo J.W!!

Angela

I think this commercial is a wonderful portrayal of lesbians and the sensitive subject of same-sex marriage. I loved the way the bride(s) family and friends all seemed so accepting, as if this was nothing unusual at all. Not to say that a woman wanting to be with a woman is ususual, certainly not, but with same-sex marriages illegal in most places, this is certainly "revolutionary" as the ad suggests. My only question is what in the world did this have to do with Johnny Walker Red?? I understand the statement that "every revolution starts with a splash of red" but there was no indication whatsoever that this commercial was for an alcoholic beverage, maybe if the family or friends, or brides were drinking it, it would have made more sense....

Dorothy

This is a wonderful ad. I love that it flies straight in the face of 'typical' stereotypes portraying the two women as refreshingly collected, well-adjusted and obviously successful and accepted by their families and friends. Bravo! We need more ads like this!!

Kathryn Hamm

Two thumbs up for the two brides!

Jessica

Simply beautiful. Why are all the nice ones seemingly left on the cutting room floor? This is how homosexual relationships should be portrayed. No one looks unhappy about it, no one looks hurt by it. Everyone is happy. That is how things should be.

Beautiful work. It is a pity it was never aired.

Janel

Fantastic ad and it's a shame that the parent company backed out of airing it. Please reconsider. The ad sets the tone perfectly, then surprises and delights - what a great statement for the Johnnie Walker brand. John Walker was himself revolutionary, blending whiskies in Scotland before it was even legal to do so. By unapologetically portraying a revolutionary idea whose time has come, this ad can help position the Johnnie Walker brand back on the cutting edge where it started.

Todd Hill

I think this is quite possibly my favourite ad on the whole commercialcloset.org website. In addition to being beautifully shot and edited, it is sweet, thoughtful, romantic, loving, gentle and very watchable. Made me get all misty-eyed too. Of course the sultry voice of Canada's own Holly Cole singing her famous version of the 'Que Sera, Sera' theme song didn't hurt at all! Holly is a fantastic talent (and very gay-positive herself)! Kudos to Johnny Walker for that ad. Pity it never aired. There's no time like the present to haul it out of storage and put it into rotation!

Fredrick Bertz

Although I generally dislike alcoholic beverage comercials, I actually liked this one. I could overlook the fact that it advertises alcohol because of how tasteful the overall commercial was. The cinematography was beautiful and the storyline brought you into the world of the bride arriving in the limo. When her bride turned around, it just felt natural, though the tagline did allude to the fact that such an act is still revolutionary.

Ken

Surreal. Beautifully done. I can't imagine who it is who would have a problem with this commercial. Johnny Walker shoud consider airing it.

Ardnas Avlis

Impeccably done!!! Ads like this are rare, that's why it may be considered one of the finest jewels of the crown.

J.D.

Lovely ad, but I still can't stand that song.

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