Hollywood stars aren't just gracing the big screen anymore - they are flocking to the UK to appear in TV adverts. It was recently announced that Robert De Niro will be the new face of cab app Uber, and Samuel L Jackson has been hired to promote Warburtons bread. This trend of hiring Hollywood stars for UK adverts has been going on for years, with big names like Sylvester Stallone, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, and Harvey Keitel all cashing in on British TV. So, what's the reason behind this phenomenon? Let's take a look.
Unlocking Interest in Others
Jonathan Warburton, Chairman of Warburtons, revealed that landing Sylvester Stallone as their spokesperson opened doors to other Hollywood stars. He said, "Once you've worked with one huge star, it helps to unlock interest in others." This means that hiring a big name like Stallone attracts more attention and interest from other celebrities, leading to a domino effect of star-studded advertisements.
Humor and Fun
Publicity guru Mark Borkowski believes that the UK's sense of humor is a major factor in attracting Hollywood stars to appear in British ads. He states, "We don't take it too seriously. The ads let them have some fun, make some money, and be seen as human." This lighthearted approach to advertising allows celebrities to showcase a different side of themselves and have some fun in the process.
Big Names in British TV Ads
Let's take a closer look at some of the big Hollywood stars who have cashed in on British TV by appearing in commercials.
Sylvester Stallone – Warburtons
In 2015, the bread firm Warburtons made headlines when they hired Rocky star Sylvester Stallone. After a day of filming in Wakefield, Stallone even went out for a meal with the company's boss, Jonathan Warburton, and had a blast with a hen party. The estimated fee for Stallone's appearance was £1 million.
Iggy Pop – On The Beach
Punk rocker Iggy Pop didn't mind going topless for a 2020 commercial for travel firm On The Beach. The ad, made during the Covid-19 restrictions, looked forward to a time when people could travel abroad again. Iggy's fee for the commercial was £500,000.
Uma Thurman – Virgin Media
In 2007, Kill Bill actress Uma Thurman appeared in an ad for Virgin Media. This move allowed her to showcase a different side of herself and focus on her life with her children. She stated, "I am thinking about being a full-time, stay-at-home mom." The estimated fee for Thurman's appearance was £1 million.
Nicole Kidman – Compare the Market
In 2015, Australian actress Nicole Kidman starred in an advert for Compare The Market. The ad featured the firm's meerkat character using a two-for-one cinema ticket offer to take Nicole out instead of his usual companion. Kidman jokingly commented, "I'd have to say Aleksandr has been a bit of a diva." Kidman's fee for the commercial was £1.5 million.
Kevin Bacon – EE
Kevin Bacon has been a brand ambassador for mobile network EE since 2012. In 2016, he starred alongside Britney Spears in a one-off ad, wearing her iconic red latex catsuit. Bacon's fee for his ongoing collaboration with EE is estimated at £2 million.
Snoop Dogg – Just Eat
Rapper Snoop Dogg's street cred took a hit when he appeared in commercials for takeaway service Just Eat. In the 2020 ads, Snoop rapped about food delivery and even promoted other brands like SodaStream, Corona, Dunkin' Donuts, and Burger King. His fee for the commercials was a staggering £5.3 million.
Ryan Reynolds – BT
Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds went to great heights - 200 meters in the air to be exact - for a BT advert in 2016. Hanging from a helicopter, Reynolds showcased the reach of BT's Wi-Fi signal. He described the project as fun and self-deprecating, saying "I've always been a fan of you Brits." Reynolds earned a handsome fee of £2 million for his daring feat.
Harvey Keitel – Direct Line
Harvey Keitel reprised his role as the "fixer" Winston Wolfe from Pulp Fiction in a 2013 commercial for Direct Line insurance. His famous line, "I think I should take you two gentlemen for a little ride," added a touch of tough guy charm to the ad. Keitel reportedly had to persuade Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino to allow Direct Line to use his character. The estimated fee for Keitel's appearance was £1 million.
There you have it - Hollywood stars are flocking to the UK to appear in TV adverts, lured by the opportunity to have some fun, make money, and be seen as human. From De Niro to Samuel L Jackson, these big names are adding a touch of star power to British commercials.
