With Trump and Brexit, 2016 has been a particularly divisive year in the world of politics. So Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream has taken its role as ‘comfort food’ to a new level with a long-form video ad called “One Sweet World”. See why it’s our video viral of the week below…
The challenge
The animation, created by UK agency Nice and Serious, is all about the triumph of hope and healing in a country divided.
The solution
Set in the town of Coneville where sweet and sour flavour fruits are at odds with each other. The isolationist Lemon Party is in charge, but a lone cherry tries to take a stand waving a placard that says "we taste sweeter together."
Character modeling and animation is by Kilogramme, while Adelphoi Music and singer/songwriter Ben Cocks created a new track specifically for the ad, titled "One Sweet World." It'll be released on iTunes, Spotify and other music services.
The results
Cocks said in a statement: "This idea of a divided country was something I could definitely recognise in post-Brexit Britain. Music is often used to bring people together, so I jumped at the chance to be involved. I needed to help tell the story of a sour world turned sweet, so I kept the changes in harmonies quite subtle to add an element of happiness without it being too jarring."
On its website, the company has written an open letter to President-Elect Trump, challenging him to listen to the voices of all Americans, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.
“We stand ready to defend the progress our country has made on climate change,” the letter says. “We will continue to be strong advocates for racial and social justice, LGBTQ rights, gender equality, respect for religious differences and opportunity for all. We stand with women, people of color, Muslims, migrants, refugees, the LGBTQ community, the poor and others whose lives may be further compromised by the policies and rhetoric you espoused during your campaign.”
