Freemans, the digital department store, announced today that singer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, is the face of its Autumn Winter 2024 campaign.
The 119-year-old retailer has been on a revolutionary journey over the last four years, retiring its famous catalogue, focussing on driving growth and relevancy- transforming into a digital pureplay – occupying the online department store space.
Sophie will sit front and centre of a renewed strategy that is designed to drive consideration for Freemans.com and celebrate its unique proposition which curates a whole host of major international brands, complemented by exclusive in-house designed and parent company Otto-sourced ranges.
The strategy is specifically designed to reach new audiences with a host of new season fashion collections.
Freemans will target the 40+ female shopper, demonstrating its fashion credentials, with the aim of positioning itself as a ‘style ally’, to a consumer group, who from recent research conducted by the retailer, still don’t feel communicated to in an authentic, informative and relatable way.
A 30-second film starring Sophie will premier this Friday 13 September, in the Coronation Street ad break on ITV and the season opener on Channel 4’s Gogglebox as well as YouTube and all major digital channels.
Shot on location at The Treasury in Warrington as well as locations in Stockport and the Trafford Centre, the ad’s soundtrack exclusively features a preview of a brand-new single from Sophie called ‘Freedom of the Night’ which will be released later in the month.
The full 360 campaign sees Sophie joined by the newly launched Freemans’ Style Squad in social and digital channels- a collection of stylist influencers offering style tips and advice with Sophie from ‘Get Ready with Me’s’ to ‘Ask Me Anything’s- in response to customers’ asking for more help and advice. As a collective they have over 1m social media followers. The Style Squad comprises of @im_simply_irene, @rantsandbigpants, @clubforty.claire and @whiledollysleeps.
Commenting, Richard Cristofoli, Chief Customer Officer, Freemans said: “We are passionate about reclaiming Freemans’ fashion positioning as our transformation journey continues at pace.”
“As one of the UK’s most iconic brands, we can think of now one better than one of the UK’s most iconic singers to lead the way with us as we continue to evolve. That is exactly what we have with this partnership with Sophie. Together with our Style Squad we are creating a content platform that responds to customer needs for more help and advice through the new season,” added Richard.
“Am delighted to be on board with Freemans”, said Sophie Ellis-Bextor, “I remember it was one of the first places that I saw fashion everyone could access and started a passion that I hold today. Fashion for me should be fun, and I think that’s exactly what we show with the TV ad. I love it and hope that you do too. Plus, you get a sneak preview of my new single Freedom of The Night. Exciting!”
Product, as per Freemans’ strategy, is the focus, with Sophie changing outfits five times as she appears from a ‘Freemans’ lift, through to the singer confidentially walking down a cobble street, descending escalators, cutting to a ‘giant’ wardrobe, packed full of the retailer’s product ending in a party scene in a bar. Sophie is joined with models of different ages and sizes throughout.
The through the line campaign will appear across all channels including online, CRM, socials and PR, with creative execution featuring Sophie. Paid socials including Meta, Pinterest also support with the retailer trialling Tik Tok video shopping ads for the first. The activity will be further amplified via PPC and out of home.
