Renowned comedian Ricky Gervais has embarked on a new venture, becoming the co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery, known for its eco-friendly approach to spirits production.
In November 2023, Ricky Gervais, a global superstar with a penchant for comedy and creativity, announced his partnership with Ellers Farm Distillery. This collaboration sees Gervais taking on the role of co-owner, with a specific focus on creative leadership to bolster global brand awareness and marketing efforts for Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka, the distillery’s flagship product.
Gervais’s decision to join Ellers Farm Distillery stems from his desire to support sustainable and ethical businesses. “I’d been looking to invest in eco-friendly businesses for a while and as soon as I found Dutch Barn – I wanted in! I love the planet and I love a drink so it was the perfect combination,” Gervais said. He praised the quality of Dutch Barn, stating, “Dutch Barn really is a quality product. I love the fact that it’s done differently and I can’t wait to let everyone know about it. The exciting part for me is that I’ve been promised that I can try to make it a global brand in my own way. Something I can’t help but think they will regret.”
Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka is unique, distilled from apples rather than the more common grains or potatoes. This meticulous process results in an exceptionally smooth, crisp, and clean taste. The vodka is tasted three times every hour during production to ensure its high quality. Unlike traditional vodkas that can sting the mouth and need to be frozen, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka is naturally mellow and can be enjoyed neat. The product’s distinctiveness extends to its packaging: it comes in a brown bottle made from 60% recycled glass, sourced locally in Yorkshire, which is scientifically proven to preserve the vodka’s freshness.
Ellers Farm Distillery has launched a series of innovative anti-advertising campaigns featuring Gervais, known for his irreverent humour and star power. The latest campaign, airing on 19 July on Channel 4, showcases Gervais with a German shepherd, humorously highlighting why the vodka is expensive. These purposefully low-effort advertisements mock conventional promotional techniques, leveraging Gervais’s comedic talent to engage audiences.
This new campaign coincides with Dutch Barn’s appointment of Bicycle London as its media agency of record. The agency will oversee the brand’s media planning and buying strategy. “We were extremely impressed by Bicycle’s passion and understanding of our business,” said Ross Haddow, Chief Marketing Officer of Ellers Farm. “We look forward to working together and showing how good vodka can be in all senses of the word!”
Henry Dalglish, CEO of Bicycle London, echoed the enthusiasm: “Winning an account of this level is another statement for the agency of working with amazing new brands. The fact both client and agency are B-corps was critical for us in aligning. The added fact that we now get to work creatively with Ricky Gervais is a huge added bonus – we cannot wait to see the response from the work.”
As Gervais ventures into the world of sustainable spirits, his involvement with Ellers Farm Distillery and Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka promises to bring a blend of quality, humour, and environmental consciousness to the global stage.
Reference: https://dutchbarn.com/story/
