Woolworths 1970s Christmas spectaculars were "pure 'A' list" according to Arnold Amsterdam global creative Gregg Harper, adVENT Day: 8

That’s the wonder of Woolworths, that’s the wonder of dear old woolies…”

The all-singing all-dancing Woolworths spectacular was every bit a part of the countdown to Christmas as calls to Dial-a-Santa and pencil chewing deliberation over your ‘what I REALLY want for Christmas’ list.

Taking up, no really, an entire commercial break, the mighty chain recruited a cavalcade of ‘C’ to ‘Z’ list celebrities to endorse their glittering array of yuletide delights. However the story behind the concept is pure ‘A’ list and is still cited in many agency pitches.

As it goes Peter Marsh and partner Rod Allen crammed Woolies top brass into a theatre and came out singing the "That's the wonder of Woolies" jingle in its entirety, Marsh wearing a dinner jacket which he tore off to reveal a white spangly suit.

Still in a state of shock Woolworths questioned the then small agency's ability to handle such a big account, and wanted to inspect its premises. Marsh agreed and took them for a tour of a much larger agency he’d ‘borrowed’ for the afternoon from a creative director friend of his. The resulting campaign was the first celeb-fest extravaganza, much copied over the years since by the likes of Marks and Spencer’s, Morrisons, etc.

Unfortunately the jingle and for that matter Woolies are a thing of the past, well for some. All together now…”

‘That’s the wonder of Woolworths, that’s the wonder of dear old woolies…”

Gregg Harper works for Arnold Amsterdam and global creative. Based in The Netherlands Arnold Amsterdam clients include Lee Jeans, Ocean Spray and Dell. Prior to joining Arnold Amsterdam in 2011 Gregg worked with Euro RSCG 4D as a senior creative and CCCP as a creative director.

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