Amazon features Burt Bacharach song in global holiday ad
Fans of the Great American Songbook will have a lot to like about the official 2024 omnichannel Amazon advertisement.
A new 90-second brand film the e-tail giant is releasing as a seasonal holiday promotion, “Midnight Opus,” tells the story of a theater janitor whose hidden vocal talent is discovered and celebrated by his colleagues during his daily shift.
The commercial concludes with the swift delivery of a black tuxedo jacket, enabling the janitor to step into the theater’s spotlight to perform the 1965 classic "What the World Needs Now Is Love," written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Produced by Amazon’s internal creative team in partnership with production company Hungry Man and directed by award-winning filmmaker Wayne McClammy, the 90-second holiday spot goes live on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in the U.K, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands and Sweden; and on Monday, Nov. 18 in the U.S. and Canada.
"Midnight Opus"—which will run as 30- and 60-second spots nationwide across broadcast TV, video on demand, online video, cinema, and social channels, will run through December 2024.
This ad does not mark the first time Amazon has used a classic 1960s-era song to help promote its holiday offerings. In 2023, the e-tailer’s official holiday ad "Joy Ride" prominently featured the Beatles hit "In My Life."
"Midnight Opus’ is a story that celebrates the joy from doing something special for the people in your life," said Jo Shoesmith, global chief creative officer at Amazon. "I think we all know how wonderful it feels to be the recipient of even the smallest act of kindness—whether that be a thoughtful gift or an encouraging word—and we wanted to bring that ineffable emotion to life."
The holidays are underway at Amazon
Amazon has already been having a busy holiday season. The company has hosted two early holiday events – Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 8-9) and the ongoing Holiday Beauty Haul (running through Sunday, Nov. 3); and also will offer Black Friday deals as well as begin its Cyber Monday sale Monday, Dec, 2.
[READ MORE: Amazon will offer Black Friday deals – on Black Friday]
