Guinness raises a glass to hope in moving new ad

BBDO New York has produced an emotional new ad for Guinness, with a poignant ending that will have you reaching for a handkerchief.

By Nia Daniels 9 Jul 2014

BBDO New York has produced an emotional new ad for Guinness, with a poignant ending that will have you reaching for a handkerchief.

Empty Chair centres on a neighbourhood bar, where the female bartender carefully pours a Guinness and leaves it on an empty table.

The same thing happens the next night, and the night after that. Seasons change, and still a fresh pint is poured daily, only to be left untouched while people come and go.

Eventually the door opens and a returning soldier comes into the bar. He nods to the bartender and picks up the glass. Everyone else in the bar solemnly raises their glasses to him as he starts to drink the pint.

The ad was released during the week of 4 July in the US, tying in with the idea of hope, sacrifice and “the choices we make.”

Empty Chair is the third in the series of Guinness’ Made of More campaign, and is directed by Noam Murro, also responsible for the previous award-winning Basketball spot.

Watch the ad below and see what you think.

The production company is Biscuit Filmworks; the director of photography Eric Schmidt and the edit house is Work Editorial. The music is from Human, and the editor is Neil Smith.

The same thing happens the next night, and the night after that. Seasons change, and still a fresh pint is poured daily, only to be left untouched while people come and go.

Eventually the door opens and a returning soldier comes into the bar. He nods to the bartender and picks up the glass. Everyone else in the bar solemnly raises their glasses to him as he starts to drink the pint.

The ad was released during the week of 4 July in the US, tying in with the idea of hope, sacrifice and “the choices we make.”

Empty Chair is the third in the series of Guinness’ Made of More campaign, and is directed by Noam Murro, also responsible for the previous award-winning Basketball spot.

Watch the ad below and see what you think.

The production company is Biscuit Filmworks; the director of photography Eric Schmidt and the edit house is Work Editorial. The music is from Human, and the editor is Neil Smith.

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