IcelandSupermarket Iceland truly came out on top in this year’s war of the Christmas adverts for doing something very impactful.
Their 90-second-long animation, featuring a sweet orangutan explaining to a little girl how humanity was destroying his rainforest home, never actually made it to television after it was banned for being ‘too political’.
But since Iceland wanted to share this important issue with the world, they posted it on their social media earlier this month and it quickly went viral.
You can watch the banned advert here:
Across Iceland’s social pages the video has received over 50 million views as people shared the advert industry body Clearcast didn’t want you to see.
Highlighting the important message about palm oil plantations destroying rainforest habitats which are home to beautiful orangutans, the ‘Rang-tan’ speaks to the little girl.
The orangutan says:
There’s a human in my forest and I don’t know what to do. He destroyed all of our forest for your food and your shampoo.
There’s a human in my forest and I don’t know what to do. He took away my mother and I’m scared he’ll take me too.
There’s a human in my forest and I don’t know what to do. They’re burning it for palm oil so I thought I’d stay with you.
With Iceland calling on people to help, one of the ways you can do so is by purchasing an adorable cuddly ‘Rang-tan’ teddy from the frozen food giant as all proceeds go to fighting the good fight.
Look at how sweet they are! I know for a fact I will have to pick one up from Iceland to take home:
IcelandThe exclusive and rather cute toy only costs £5 with all profits from sales going towards an orangutan charity which helps rehabilitate orphans.
Buy one, two, three or a whole family if you wish, they are available in stores across Britain now.
Earlier this year Iceland committed to removing palm oil from all its own label food by the end of 2018 in response to continued deforestation in South-East Asia.
Celebrating reaching the completion of their project, Iceland launched their Christmas advert and also offered customers the option of having an orangutan friendly Christmas dinner.
Responding to the advert being banned, Richard Walker, Managing Director at Iceland, said:
Whilst our advert sadly never made it to TV screens, we are hopeful that consumers will take to social media to view the film, which raises awareness of an important global issue.
Our commitment to help protect the home of orangutans remains extremely close to our hearts.
We are proud to be encouraging consumers to make more sustainable choices, even without the support of TV advertising, ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
Well their mission was successful and the message reached many, many people.
For more information about Iceland’s Christmas range and the commitment to palm oil removal, you can visit their website.
If you have a story you want to to tell, send it to [email protected].
