Disney has todayreleased a magical new Christmas advert to mark the holiday season. “The Gift” is a three-minute animated short that celebrates the comfort that storytelling brings families during times of change and how it deepens their bonds through togetherness.
The advert is the final instalment of Disney’s ‘From My Family To Yours’ trilogy, which premieres on Wednesday 2nd November 2022 across TV and Digital plus Disney’s own channels in 46 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.
‘From Our Family To Yours’ – A Trilogy
Disney’s first-ever Christmas advert ‘Lola’ was released in 2020. In this first instalment, fans were introduced to Nicole and her grandmother, Lola, and watched how their bond deepened as festive traditions were passed down through the generations.
Last year’s sequel, ‘The Stepdad’ followed a grown-up Nicole and her own children, Max and Ella, who welcomed stepdad Mike into their home. At the heart of the story was a very special storybook that celebrated the magic that small moments like reading together creates for families.
Both the 2020 and 2021 adverts reached over 184million views worldwide combined. This year, the family prepare for another festive period and the touching arrival of a new baby!
“The Gift” is a powerful story of sibling relationships, experienced through the eyes of youngest child Ella, as she adjusts to the changing family dynamic. At the heart of the story is a beloved glow in the dark Mickey Mouse soft toy, which connects both past, present and future. Whilst the elder brother, Max is first shown giving Ella the Mickey Mouse to comfort her at night, Ella then gifts the soft toy to her new-born sibling at their first meet, welcoming them to the family.
Luke Roberts, General Manager of Consumer Products Commercialisation, Disney Africa said: “With family togetherness and Disney being at the heart of it all, we are proud to reveal this finale to the “From Our Family to Yours” trilogy. We are also excited to reveal a brand new local voice behind the heart-warming soundtrack as Ray Malo adds her extraordinary vocals to “The Gift”.
“The Gift” has been developed and produced by Disney’s Consumer Products, Gaming & Publishing creative team, led by Angela Affinita, Director of Brand Marketing and Creative, in partnership with Flux Animation Studios in New Zealand.
The Soundtrack
Up and coming vocalist Ray Malo, performs the emotive soundtrack A Little More – penned exclusively for the advert by LA-based songwriters PARKWILD, Sofia Quinn and Rose Tan.
Providing a powerful vocal narrative to this year’s story, Ray’s incredible vocals creates the script to the story of young Ella finding comfort as the family prepare to welcome a new baby.
Ray Malo says:“I know first-hand what it’s like being part of a blended family – I know how change, in family dynamics feels, so this story really resonates with me.Disney has been a part of most of our lives, for me for all of my childhood, so it’s really a privilege and honour to be able to be part of this campaign and part of the Disney family.”
Ray Malo follows in the footsteps of rising star Lloysio who sang the localised version of ‘Love Runs Deeper’ in ‘The Stepdad’ festive advert last year.
As with previous years of the From Our Family campaign – the largest retail campaign for Disney – the company will have stunning Disney-themed Christmas trees take centre stage yet again at more than 10 shopping centres nationwide. Expect to see Disney plush adorn trees (and some exciting new structures) at participating malls including Canal Walk, Cape Gate, Clearwater Mall, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Melrose Arch, Fourways Mall, Eastgate Shopping Centre, Rosebank Mall, Sandton City, Somerset Mall, The Glen and Woodlands. The Christmas trees are in support of Reach for a Dream where shoppers may make a cash donation towards the purchase of a plush toy, where both the plush and the money will be donated to the wish-granting charity. To give a gift of hope and joy to children living with critical illnesses this holiday season, please support this initiative at various locations around the country.
‘From Our Family To Yours’ Gift Range
Various South African retailers are joining Disney’s ‘From Our Family To Yours’ 2022 campaign, bringing stories and characters to life through innovative products across more than 100 categories: from toys and apparel to jewellery, technology, and consumables. This is the perfect opportunity to share the joy and spoil your loved ones with your family for holiday gifts for every member of the family from the newest ranges courtesy of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
About Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing
Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing (CPGP) brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world through products and experiences across more than 100 retail categories from toys and t-shirts to apps, books, video games, and more. A division of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment, CPGP’s global operations include: the world’s largest licensing business, one of the biggest children’s publishing brands, a leading licensor of interactive games across platforms, and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.
About Reach for a Dream
Reach For A Dream seeks to alleviate the strain that life-threatening illnesses place on sick children and their families by providing these dreamers with the opportunity to believe in their greatest wish. The Foundation has been providing dreams to children all around the country for 33 years in counting. These young children are under extreme pressure to deal with these medical issues and are in desperate need of encouragement. In addition, Reach For A Dream offers the child a magical moment to regain their childhood that is being lost to an illness. The vision is to grow the Foundation to enable us to continue giving hope to children fighting critical illnesses. The Foundation hosts several national projects throughout the year to engage with the brave dreamers and wonderful donors. The Reach For A Dream Foundation’s inception was inspired by an article by the Make – A –Wish Foundation, based in America. Owen Parnell, past Ransburg Rotary Club President, was struck by the opportunity to establish a similar venture in South Africa. On 7 July 1988, the Organisation made its very first dream come true. And so the journey of dream fulfilment began. The first dreamer, little J C Steinman, was treated to a wonderful birthday celebration with rides on a pony and a motorcycle. Being occasionally named the Reach For A Dream Foundation in 1991, the organisation deemed its core purpose as “fulfilling the dreams of children of any race, colour and creed between the ages of 3 and 18 faced with a life-threatening illness.
Disney’s Social Purpose
At The Walt Disney Company, our purpose is to inspire a better world through the power of stories. Disney’s partnership with Make-A-Wish and other not-for-profit partners across Europe is an example of how, working with others, we help build emotional resilience. Together we bring the power of our brand, stories, and characters to inspire and create Moments that Matter for children and those closest to them when they need it the most.
About Ray Malo
Ray is a young, South African musician with a sound that reaches far beyond her country’s borders. With her crisp sound that ranges from dance pop to urban she aims to put the new age of South African youth on the global map. She not only advocates for but lives by her belief in following one’s heart and passions: She made the bold decision to decline her acceptance to 3 of South Africa’s top medical schools (one of which she had a full scholarship) in order to pursue her passion for music. Her songwriting is reflective and reminiscent. Her music explores duality and exudes youthfulness; and through her songs one is invited into her universe which allows all to simply come as they are. Ray Malo has spent the past 3 years writing music, attending vocal training with singer/songwriter RJ Benjamin and recording her songs in studio. In this new year she continues to write, create and work on refining her performance abilities in order that she can share her music universe with the world.
