Marmite is launching a tongue-in-cheek campaign featuring parents-to-be who are looking to find out whether their babies are lovers or haters - of Marmite, that is. The “Baby Scan” campaign was created by adam&eveDDB and uses a healthy dose of humour to illustrate that the brand is aware of how divisive its flavour is. It follows a recent scientific study which revealed that babies could respond to different flavours while still in the womb. Researchers gave pregnant women different vegetables and found that their foetuses responded with varying facial expressions, suggesting that they can experience taste through the amniotic fluid in the womb. The TV spot, directed by James Rouse, will premiere tonight at 8:15pm on ITV2 during Bobs Burgers. The documentary style ad is set in a hospital’s ultrasound department and follows a number of couples who have come for a scan and are eager to find out some vital information about their baby - whether it’s a Marmite lover or hater. The TV spot is accompanied by activity across OOH, press and social, encouraging the public to sign up to the study and have a scan with one of the UK’s leading ultrasound clinics, Window to the Womb, that could reveal whether they are expecting a Marmite lover or hater.
The ad opens in a cozy living room where two young children eagerly stand before a large cardboard box. The air is filled with excitement as the children prepare to open the box labeled 'Lover? Hater?'. With a playful narrative, the focus is on revealing whether their baby sibling will be a Marmite lover or hater. As they open the box, black balloons emerge, symbolizing the 'hater' verdict. The children exhibit joyous reactions, jumping around with exuberance. This playful scene humorously captures the unpredictable nature of taste preferences and aligns with Marmite's famous 'you either love it or hate it' ethos. The ad concludes with the Marmite logo and the taglines, reinforcing the campaign's lighthearted message. Throughout, the visuals are bright and family-oriented, with a modern suburban ambiance that enhances the engaging narrative.