BBC reveals D-Day schedule ad drive

Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO has created a TV and poster campaign to promote the BBC's D-Day programme schedule, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

The ad, which breaks on Thursday in 60-, 40- and 20-second versions, focuses on the experiences of World War II veterans.

Entitled "actors waiting in the wings of Europe", it features excerpts from an unfinished poem by Keith Douglas, a tank commander who was killed the day after the landings.

The ad opens on an elderly man standing on a windswept beach. As the camera closes in on him, he starts to recite the words: "Actors waiting in the wings of Europe, we already watch the lights on the stage, and listen to the colossal overture begin."

Another veteran appears and takes up the poem. Between each new spokesman, powerful images of the Normandy beaches appear.

The ad finishes with the voiceover saying: "That was an unfinished poem written at the Normandy landings. Read by men who survived. Written by Captain Keith Douglas, who did not."

It continues: "D-Day on the BBC. Commemorating the 60th anniversary throughout June."

The ad was written and art directed by Daryl Corps and directed by Stuart Douglas through BBC Broadcast.

Media planning and buying is being handled in-house by the BBC. The campaign will run for three weeks across the BBC and will be supported by 48- and 96-sheet posters.

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