LONDON, UK — Creative agency BMB is bringing a dash of festive spirit to this year’s World Cup tournament, with a Christmas song in aid of FareShare, the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors.
For the first time in history, the World Cup takes place in the run-up to Christmas and BMB has launched a parody anthem that combines the catchiness and passion of a football chant with the cheerful familiarity of a well-known festive banger.
The campaign, “Sweet Carol Rhymes” (Neil Diamond pun intended), featuring the parody song “So here he is, Jordan Pickford” launched onNovember 15, with a chorus dedicated to the nation’s favorite keeper – and playful references to various England players including Marcus Rashford MBE, Harry Kane MBE, John Stones, Jack Grealish, and even England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
The feel-good song directs people to a JustGiving page where Footie and Christmas fans can donate to FareShare, the charity that specializes in fighting hunger and food waste, that’s famously been supported by England Striker Marcus Rashford, MBE.
FareShare works with a network of nearly 9,500 charities to help provide food to over a million people.
FareShare Head of FundraisingMarie Travers said, “We’re thrilled to be part of this festive football anthem that will help raise money to get more good-to-eat surplus food out to our network. The rise in the cost of living, including the price of food, fuel, and energy bills, is having a disproportionate impact on people already struggling to make ends meet. While we’re doing everything we can to get surplus food to people who need it, we do not have enough to meet the skyrocketing demand, as millions more people are being forced into food poverty in communities across the country. By supporting the ‘So Here He Is, Jordan Pickford’ charity single and donating to ‘Sweet Carol Rhymes’ JustGiving page, you can help support FareShare’s mission to fight hunger and food waste at Christmas.”
BMB Chief Creative Officer Matt Lever said, “A Christmas World Cup felt like too big a creative opportunity to miss. Hopefully, our funny little Christmas song will capture both the public imagination and some much-needed funds to help FareShare put food on as many tables as possible this festive season.”
The lyrics were written by BMB creatives Jack Snell, Joe Lovett, and Nathan Marsden, who also designed the accompanying lyrics film for an essential karaoke sing-along. The campaign will be distributed on YouTube and through FareShare social media outlets including Insta, Twitter, and Facebook.
CREDITS:
Brand: FareShare
Client: Marie Travers, Head of Fundraising
Agency: BMB
Campaign name: Sweet Carol Rhymes
Song name: “So here he is, Jordan Pickford”
Chief Creative Officer: Matt Lever
Chief Strategy Officer: Mel Arrow
Business Director: Sam Hardy
Creatives: Jack Snell, Joe Lovett, Nathan Marsden
Senior Producer: Clancie Brennan
Head of Design: Ted Smith
Design: Mark Gould
Design : Sam Peel
Design: Charlotte Temple
PR: Here Be Dragons
