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''Kipper'' was conceived by [[Wikipedia:Copywriting|copywriter]] Mike Cozens and [[Wikipedia:Art director|art director]] Graham Watson at the London branch of the [[Wikipedia:Advertising agency|advertising agency]] [[Wikipedia:TBWA Worldwide|TBWA]].<ref name="Cook 1981"/>{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=252}} Cozens and Watson had joined TBWA\London together on 1 February 1980 after leaving the [[Wikipedia:Collett Dickenson Pearce|Collett Dickenson Pearce]] agency; after pitching an ad for [[Wikipedia:Knorr (brand)|Knorr]] on their first day there, the two started writing the script for ''Kipper'' on their second day.{{sfn|Watson|2023}}{{sfn|Hegarty|1979}}<ref name="Dye interview Cozens"/> They developed a few print advertisements for [[LEGO UK Limited]], which TBWA\London had been creating ads for since the mid-1970s,<ref name="Dye interview Hegarty"/>{{sfn|Bishop|1996|p=106}} before being briefed on the television project for them.{{sfn|Watson|2023}} The commercial had to be created on a limited budget; Cozens and Watson did not want to resort to making a "dull" presenter-style commercial, and spent numerous late nights developing the concept and working with the accounting team to get script approval.{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}}
''Kipper'' was conceived by [[Wikipedia:Copywriting|copywriter]] Mike Cozens and [[Wikipedia:Art director|art director]] Graham Watson at the London branch of the [[Wikipedia:Advertising agency|advertising agency]] [[Wikipedia:TBWA Worldwide|TBWA]].<ref name="Cook 1981"/>{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=252}} Cozens and Watson had joined TBWA\London together on 1 February 1980 after leaving the [[Wikipedia:Collett Dickenson Pearce|Collett Dickenson Pearce]] agency; after pitching an ad for [[Wikipedia:Knorr (brand)|Knorr]] on their first day there, the two started writing the script for ''Kipper'' on their second day.{{sfn|Watson|2023}}{{sfn|Hegarty|1979}}<ref name="Dye interview Cozens"/> They developed a few print advertisements for [[LEGO UK Limited]], which TBWA\London had been creating ads for since the mid-1970s,<ref name="Dye interview Hegarty"/>{{sfn|Bishop|1996|p=106}} before being briefed on the television project for them.{{sfn|Watson|2023}} The commercial had to be created on a limited budget; Cozens and Watson did not want to resort to making a "dull" presenter-style commercial, and spent numerous late nights developing the concept and working with the accounting team to get script approval.{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}}
[[File:Kipper - Lego Dragon in the office (cropped).jpg|thumb|The dragon model from ''Kipper''; only its front half is visible in the advertisement]]
The advertisement was produced at [[Wikipedia:Clearwater Features|Clearwater Films]], a studio founded in the [[Wikipedia:Battersea|Battersea]] district of [[Wikipedia:London|London]] by former [[Wikipedia:AP Films|Century 21]] directors [[Wikipedia:Ken Turner (director)|Ken Turner]] and [[Wikipedia:David Mitton|David Mitton]].<ref name="Drum McCarthy 2022"/><ref name="Moody AWN"/> Turner and Mitton worked on the advertisement as its director and producer, respectively.{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=486}} Clearwater initially suggested building a detailed set "complete with wallpaper and carpets" for filming, but Watson wanted to direct it "simply", using "just the skirting board and a reflective floor."{{sfn|Bishop|1996|p=170}}{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=252}}


[[File:David Lyall - Old King Cole, 1980 (cropped).jpg|thumb|''Kipper'''s LEGO models were built by David Lyall, seen here holding the mouse]]
[[File:David Lyall - Old King Cole, 1980 (cropped).jpg|thumb|''Kipper'''s LEGO models were built by David Lyall, seen here holding the mouse]]


The LEGO models used in ''Kipper'' were created by [[David Lyall]], the chief model designer at [[LEGO UK Ltd]].<ref name="Bricks 'n Pieces 1981-1"/><ref name="Cook 1981"/> Lyall made two versions of each model: one glued version, and one to be assembled and disassembled during [[Wikipedia:Stop motion|stop motion]] filming.{{sfn|Watson|Cozens|Bearman|1980}} The largest model built for the advertisement, the dragon, contained around {{formatnum:20000}} LEGO bricks.{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}}
The LEGO models used in ''Kipper'' were created by [[David Lyall]], the chief model designer at [[LEGO UK Ltd]].<ref name="Bricks 'n Pieces 1981-1"/><ref name="Cook 1981"/> Lyall made two versions of each model: one glued version, and one to be assembled and disassembled during [[Wikipedia:Stop motion|stop motion]] filming.{{sfn|Watson|Cozens|Bearman|1980}} The largest model built for the advertisement, the dragon, contained around {{formatnum:20000}} LEGO bricks.{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}}
''Kipper'' was produced at [[Wikipedia:Clearwater Features|Clearwater Films]], a studio founded in the [[Wikipedia:Battersea|Battersea]] district of [[Wikipedia:London|London]] by former [[Wikipedia:AP Films|Century 21]] directors [[Wikipedia:Ken Turner (director)|Ken Turner]] and [[Wikipedia:David Mitton|David Mitton]].<ref name="Drum McCarthy 2022"/><ref name="Moody AWN"/> Turner and Mitton worked on the advertisement as its director and producer, respectively.{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=486}} Clearwater initially suggested building a detailed set "complete with wallpaper and carpets" for filming, but Watson wanted to direct it "simply", using "just the skirting board and a reflective floor."{{sfn|Bishop|1996|p=170}}{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=252}}
[[File:Kipper - Lego Dragon in the office (cropped).jpg|thumb|The dragon model from ''Kipper''; only its front half is visible in the advertisement]]


Filming took place over the course of seventeen days. The stop motion LEGO models were built in stages during filming, with a few frames of footage being shot between each stage. Director Turner and his team planned out the timing for both the building sequences and for zooming and panning the camera, having to make sure the camera movement lined up with each stage of the models.{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}} Stop motion animation was done by Denis Russo, while camera work and lighting were done by Tom Harrison.<ref name="Cook 1981"/>{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=486}} The entire film was shot in a single [[Wikipedia:Take|take]].{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}} Watson later likened the filming process to watching paint dry.{{sfn|Watson|2023}}
Filming took place over the course of seventeen days. The stop motion LEGO models were built in stages during filming, with a few frames of footage being shot between each stage. Director Turner and his team planned out the timing for both the building sequences and for zooming and panning the camera, having to make sure the camera movement lined up with each stage of the models.{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}} Stop motion animation was done by Denis Russo, while camera work and lighting were done by Tom Harrison.<ref name="Cook 1981"/>{{sfn|Myerson|Vickers|2002|p=486}} The entire film was shot in a single [[Wikipedia:Take|take]].{{sfn|The One Club for Art and Copy|1982|p=86}} Watson later likened the filming process to watching paint dry.{{sfn|Watson|2023}}
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<ref name="Dye interview Cozens">{{cite interview |url=https://davedye.com/2016/01/29/mike-cozens-interview/ |title=INTERVIEW: Mike Cozens |website=Stuff From the Loft |first=Mike |last=Cozens |interviewer=Dave Dye |date=January 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818094227/https://davedye.com/2016/01/29/mike-cozens-interview/ |archive-date=18 August 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref>
<ref name="Dye interview Cozens">{{cite interview |url=https://davedye.com/2016/01/29/mike-cozens-interview/ |title=INTERVIEW: Mike Cozens |website=Stuff From the Loft |first=Mike |last=Cozens |interviewer=Dave Dye |date=January 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818094227/https://davedye.com/2016/01/29/mike-cozens-interview/ |archive-date=18 August 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref>


<ref name="Dye interview Hegarty">{{cite interview |url=https://davedye.com/2016/01/29/mike-cozens-interview/ |title=INTERVIEW: H before BB, (John Hegarty) |website=Stuff From the Loft |first=John |last=Hegarty |author-link=Wikipedia:John Hegarty (advertising executive) |interviewer=Dave Dye |date=November 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922014057/https://davedye.com/2016/11/07/h-before-bb/ |archive-date=22 September 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref>
<ref name="Dye interview Hegarty">{{cite interview |url=https://davedye.com/2016/11/07/h-before-bb/ |title=INTERVIEW: H before BB, (John Hegarty) |website=Stuff From the Loft |first=John |last=Hegarty |author-link=Wikipedia:John Hegarty (advertising executive) |interviewer=Dave Dye |date=November 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922014057/https://davedye.com/2016/11/07/h-before-bb/ |archive-date=22 September 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref>


<ref name="Fletcher 2008">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/powersofpersuasi0000flet/page/192/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Powers of Persuasion – The Inside Story of British Advertising: 1951–2000 |first=Winston |last=Fletcher |year=2008 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Oxford|Oxford]] |isbn=978-0-19-922801-0 |pages=192-193}}</ref>
<ref name="Fletcher 2008">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/powersofpersuasi0000flet/page/192/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Powers of Persuasion – The Inside Story of British Advertising: 1951–2000 |first=Winston |last=Fletcher |year=2008 |publisher=[[Wikipedia:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]] |location=[[Wikipedia:Oxford|Oxford]] |isbn=978-0-19-922801-0 |pages=192-193}}</ref>

Revision as of 05:01, 25 September 2025

Kipper
Frame from the advertisement showing the titular kipper (left) and the submarine
AgencyTBWA\London
ClientLEGO UK Ltd
LanguageEnglish
MediaTelevision
Running time45 seconds
Product
Release date(s)
  • 29 October 1980 (1980-10-29)[1]
Slogan
  • It's a new toy every day
Written by
  • Mike Cozens (copywriter)
  • Graham Watson (art director)
Directed byKen Turner
Starring
Production
company		Clearwater Films
Produced byDavid Mitton
CountryUnited Kingdom

Kipper is a British stop-motion television commercial first aired in 1980. It was conceived by Mike Cozens and Graham Watson at TBWA\London, produced by Clearwater Films, and directed by Ken Turner. Narrated by a Tommy Cooper sound-alike, the ad features two LEGO animals duelling by transforming into different things, demonstrating the versatility of the toy.

Summary

The advertisement features two LEGO creatures battling by changing into new forms to defeat the other. A small LEGO mouse, who narrates the film, is standing by a mousehole when a LEGO cat appears. The mouse turns into a dog to scare the cat, but the cat becomes a fire-breathing dragon; the dog then becomes a fire engine and extinguishes the dragon's flame. The back-and-forth transformation goes on as the two become a submarine that emerges from a puddle, a submarine-eating kipper (initially misheard as "slipper"), an "anti-kipper ballistic missile", a "missile cruncher", and finally an elephant. As the missile cruncher is about to be stepped on by the elephant, it changes back into a mouse, scaring the elephant and causing it to fall over.

Production

Kipper creators Graham Watson (left) and Mike Cozens c. 1980

Kipper was conceived by copywriter Mike Cozens and art director Graham Watson at the London branch of the advertising agency TBWA.[2][3] Cozens and Watson had joined TBWA\London together on 1 February 1980 after leaving the Collett Dickenson Pearce agency; after pitching an ad for Knorr on their first day there, the two started writing the script for Kipper on their second day.[4][5][6] They developed a few print advertisements for LEGO UK Limited, which TBWA\London had been creating ads for since the mid-1970s,[7][8] before being briefed on the television project for them.[4] The commercial had to be created on a limited budget; Cozens and Watson did not want to resort to making a "dull" presenter-style commercial, and spent numerous late nights developing the concept and working with the accounting team to get script approval.[9]

The dragon model from Kipper; only its front half is visible in the advertisement

The advertisement was produced at Clearwater Films, a studio founded in the Battersea district of London by former Century 21 directors Ken Turner and David Mitton.[10][11] Turner and Mitton worked on the advertisement as its director and producer, respectively.[12] Clearwater initially suggested building a detailed set "complete with wallpaper and carpets" for filming, but Watson wanted to direct it "simply", using "just the skirting board and a reflective floor."[13][3]

Kipper's LEGO models were built by David Lyall, seen here holding the mouse

The LEGO models used in Kipper were created by David Lyall, the chief model designer at LEGO UK Ltd.[14][2] Lyall made two versions of each model: one glued version, and one to be assembled and disassembled during stop motion filming.[15] The largest model built for the advertisement, the dragon, contained around 20,000 LEGO bricks.[9]

Filming took place over the course of seventeen days. The stop motion LEGO models were built in stages during filming, with a few frames of footage being shot between each stage. Director Turner and his team planned out the timing for both the building sequences and for zooming and panning the camera, having to make sure the camera movement lined up with each stage of the models.[9] Stop motion animation was done by Denis Russo, while camera work and lighting were done by Tom Harrison.[2][12] The entire film was shot in a single take.[9] Watson later likened the filming process to watching paint dry.[4]

For the advertisement's voice-over, TBWA\London initially considered using actor and comedian Mike Reid before deciding on entertainer Tommy Cooper, as his voice had done well in market research at the time.[16] Cooper was ill when it was time to record, however; he showed up and tried to record his lines before giving the agency impressionist Roger Kitter's number, saying, "Call him, he does me better than I do."[17][18][16] Cooper's agent had also advised Cozens and Watson to use Kitter instead, telling them, "For Christ's sake, don't use Tommy. He can't read and he'll totally screw it up."[19] Cooper was paid for his time, but his recordings were not used.[18] Kitter was hired to narrate the advertisement with an impersonation of Cooper, including using his catchphrase "just like that".[10][20] Audiences at the time were unable to tell Kitter's impression was not actually Cooper's voice;[16][10] some later sources still listed Cooper as the ad's narrator.[1][21][22]

In a 2023 interview, Graham Watson shared some development materials from Kipper. An earlier version of the script from 25 April does not feature the kipper-slipper mondegreen or the missile cruncher; instead, the fire engine is initially blue before turning red, and the kipper becomes a tractor to tow the missile.[23]

Broadcast and reception

According to advertising magazine Campaign's website, Kipper first premiered on 29 October 1980.[1] It aired during the 1980 Christmas season.[14] It last aired on television in 1983.[24]

In its Spring 1981 issue, Bricks 'n Pieces featured a photograph of Lyall holding the mouse model from Kipper.[14]

In a 2016 interview, Mike Cozens stated that Kipper was still as funny as when it was first written, and that he preferred it over his "arty stuff".[6] Tim Lindsay, the account executive on Kipper and later chief executive of TBWA, listed it as his favourite advertisement in 2007 and oversaw its re-release in 2008.[25][26][27]

LEGO advertisements in the 1970s, like other toy commercials of that time, typically showed excited children playing with the toy while their mothers observed. [16] Kipper, meanwhile, featured no children or parents; TBWA\Worldwide's chairman and co-founder Uli Wiesendanger said that Kipper "put the mother and child into the same persona. In this commercial, unseen, they play the game together."[28] (still writing)


Kipper was featured in The 100 Greatest TV Ads in April 2000, being voted at number 74 by Channel 4 viewers and The Sunday Times readers.[29][30]

Starting on 31 October 2008, Kipper was run in British cinemas for a month to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the modern LEGO brick. The first showing was with the premier of the film Quantum of Solace.[31][10] In December 2009 it was run again, both in cinemas and on television for the first time since 1983.[24]

Awards

TBWA\London co-founder and creative director John Hegarty thought that Kipper would win silver at best.[32][33]

In 2003 Campaign listed Kipper's Grand Prix win in 1981 as one of the highlights of the Cannes International Festival for the event's fiftieth anniversary.[39]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Lego 'kipper' by TBWA". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cook, Chris; Marshall, Anne (1981). The Guiness Book of Winners and Champions (2nd ed.). Enfield, London: Guiness Superlatives Limited. p. 5. ISBN 0-85112-218-3.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Myerson & Vickers 2002, p. 252.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Watson 2023.
  5. ↑ Hegarty 1979.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cozens, Mike (January 29, 2016). "INTERVIEW: Mike Cozens". Stuff From the Loft (Interview). Interviewed by Dave Dye. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  7. ↑ Hegarty, John (November 7, 2016). "INTERVIEW: H before BB, (John Hegarty)". Stuff From the Loft (Interview). Interviewed by Dave Dye. Archived from the original on 22 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  8. ↑ Bishop 1996, p. 106.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 The One Club for Art and Copy 1982, p. 86.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 McCarthy, John (14 June 2022). "World's best ads ever #88: Lego lays the foundations for 40-year legacy with 'Kipper'". The Drum. Carnyx Group. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  11. ↑ Moody, Annemarie (May 28, 2008). "Children's TV Creator Dies Unexpectedly". Animation World Network. Van Nuys, California: Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Myerson & Vickers 2002, p. 486.
  13. ↑ Bishop 1996, p. 170.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Nicholls, Clive, ed. (Spring 1981). "A Merry Old Soul". Bricks 'n Pieces. No. 7. Wrexham, Clwyd: LEGO UK Ltd. p. 1.
  15. ↑ Watson, Cozens & Bearman 1980.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Robinson, Mark (2000). 100 Greatest TV Ads. London: HarperCollins. p. 34. ISBN 0-00-711123-1.
  17. ↑ Charlton, Matthew (10 February 2014). "In praise of the Lego ad break: A fantastic demonstration of the brand's imagination". The Drum. Carnyx Group. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Cooke, Steve; Williams, Tony (9 February 2021). "Episode 16: Lego - Anti-Kipper Ballistic Missile". Classic Ads From Simpler Times (Podcast). Event occurs at 15:51–17:22.
  19. ↑ Awdry, Will (23 September 2020). "Watson and Cozens". willawdry.blog. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Russel, Peter; Slingerland, Senta, eds. (2013). Game Changers: The Evolution of Advertising. Cologne: Taschen. p. 53. ISBN 978-3-8365-4524-2.
  21. ↑ Saunders, Dave (1999). 20th Century Advertising. London: Carlton Books Limited. p. 113. ISBN 1-85868-520-6.
  22. ↑ Herman, Sarah (2012). A Million Little Bricks: The Unofficial Illustrated History of the LEGO Phenomenon. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-62636-118-8.
  23. ↑ Watson & Cozens 1980.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Kipper Back in the Menu for LEGO UK". LEGO.com Parents News. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009.
  25. ↑ Beale, Claire (25 May 2007). "Opinion: Perspective - So, it's goodbye Tim Lindsay, hello Fallon boys?". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  26. ↑ Dutta, Kunal (1 June 2007). "Close-up: Profile - Publicis reflects as Lindsay heads for TBWA". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  27. ↑ Fraser, Brian (28 November 2008). "The Work: Private view". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  28. ↑ Kanner, Bernice (1999). The 100 Best TV Commercials ...and Why They Worked. New York: Times Books. pp. 90–91. ISBN 0-8129-2995-0.
  29. ↑ "The 100 Greatest TV Ads". Channel 4 Television. 2000. Archived from the original on 18 June 2001.
  30. ↑ The 100 Greatest TV Ads (Repeat airing on 29 August 2004). London: Channel 4. 29 April 2000. Event occurs at 39:45-40:25. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  31. ↑ Kemp, Ed (30 October 2008). "Lego brings back 80s 'Kipper' ad". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  32. ↑ Bishop 1996, p. 102.
  33. ↑ Bishop 1996, p. 171.
  34. ↑ Fletcher, Winston (2008). "Powers of Persuasion – The Inside Story of British Advertising: 1951–2000". Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 192–193. ISBN 978-0-19-922801-0.
  35. ↑ Denny 1980.
  36. ↑ The One Club for Art and Copy 1982, p. 46.
  37. ↑ Marshall, Anne (1994). The Guinness Book of Winners. Enfield, London: Guinness Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 0-85112-791-6.
  38. ↑ Warlick, Mary, ed. (1990). "Finalists: Print, Radio, Television". Advertising's Ten Best Of The Decade 1980–1990. New York: The One Club for Art and Copy. p. 66. ISBN 0-929837-02-9.
  39. ↑ Cracknell, Andrew (16 June 2003). "Cannes at 50 - Campaign special report". Campaign. London: Haymarket Media Group. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.

Sources

External video
video icon 1980 Lego 'Kipper' via History of Advertising Trust on YouTube (this one is clearer but slightly squished)
video icon Kipper (2008 version) by TBWA Worldwide on Vimeo
video icon Kipper (New Zealand version) on YouTube
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