Disney's New "May Your Wishes Come True" Holiday Campaign for Its 100th Anniversary

Disney has officially unveiled its captivating holiday campaign, "May Your Wishes Come True," marking the celebration of its 100th anniversary. This enchanting campaign is centered on the profound significance of wishes and features the debut of the first-ever live-action festive ad, titled "A Wish For The Holidays." The ad draws inspiration from the upcoming Walt Disney Animation Studios' movie, "Wish," and will be showcased in over 50 countries.

Directed by the Grammy Award-winning Nigerian/British director, Meji Alabi, this heartwarming ad was entirely filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. It encompasses scenes representing six different geographical locations and languages, weaving together tales of families and friends from across the globe. These stories are united by a universal wish to be together with their loved ones during the holiday season, celebrating a diverse range of festive traditions.

Director Meji Alabi expressed his excitement about collaborating on Disney's Holiday campaign, saying, "I feel lucky to have collaborated with such a diverse group of people on Disney's Holiday campaign this year. There were so many stand-out moments for me during the filming, but I think the most memorable was watching the South African kids choir sing their lines. It truly gave me goosebumps."

The ad features the iconic and globally recognizable song, "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," from Cinderella. The song has been rearranged to allow multiple performers to join their voices in harmony. The English-language version is opened by Asha, while Academy Award-winning actress and singer Ariana DeBose lend her voice to the English version. In various international markets, the song is performed in other languages by talented voice actresses.

This heartwarming ad was produced globally by Ridley Scott Associates, spanning the US, UK, and South Africa. It was developed in collaboration with Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products' internal advertising agency, Yellow Shoes.

Joss Hastings, VP Global Marketing, Disney Consumer Products, Games & Publishing, stated, "Holiday traditions may look different around the world, but however and wherever you're celebrating, we all share the wish to be with the ones we love during this special time of year. Inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios' new movie 'Wish,' the advertisement brings voices from around the world together as a global choir for a powerful rendition of the iconic 'A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.' We hope fans enjoy the new twist on a Disney classic as we celebrate 100 years of storytelling and the integral role that music has played."

The global premiere of this heartwarming advert follows the recent reveal of a co-branded celebratory aircraft livery in collaboration with LIFT Airlines. This marks the beginning of the "May Your Wishes Come True" campaign. The Disney-themed plane is now in service, connecting Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Travelers are encouraged to share their experiences on social media, using the hashtag #DisneyandLIFT and tagging @DisneyAfrica and @LIFT__SA.

"Following the collaboration with LIFT airlines, what better way to continue the launch of our biggest retail campaign to date in South Africa than with this locally-shot advert," says Luke Roberts, General Manager, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, The Walt Disney Company Africa. "Inspired by the universal truth that they wish to be together during the holidays, we look forward to celebrating with South African families and fans throughout the festive period."

This holiday season, Disney's "May Your Wishes Come True" will provide an excellent opportunity to find the perfect gifts for every family member. Explore innovative products across various categories, including toys, apparel, jewelry, technology, and consumables. Discover brand-new products inspired by the movie "Wish," such as Lego sets and figurines.

South African shoppers can anticipate a range of exciting activations at shopping malls nationwide, featuring Disney-plush-adorned Christmas Trees. Presented with the support of VISA and Investec and Toys R US, these trees offer visitors the chance to give back through donations to Reach for a Dream.