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 features an ultrasound scan of a baby who appears to have an expressive face, possibly reacting to flavors tasted in the womb. The tagline 'Lover or Hater' is shown prominently, aligning with Marmite's reputation for its polarizing taste. The ad humorously suggests that babies can express a preference for Marmite even before birth. It includes a call to action, inviting the audience to participate in the flavor preference test by visiting a website. With a documentary-like style, the ad is set against a plain, clinical background, enhanced by the use of contrasting black and white tones.