Connie & Trevor toy with Simon Bird

Argos’s beloved brand mascots Connie and Trevor have returned for another festive outing, and this year, they’re on a mission to prove there’s far more to the retailer than just toys.

Created by T&Pm and directed by David Kerr through Hungry Man, the spot, titled Christmas Drive, opens with British actor Simon Bird frantically dashing through his last-minute Christmas shopping. When he dismisses Argos as “only good for toys,” his festive faux pas conjures up the brand’s doll and dino duo, who are determined to set him straight.

Taking a sinister turn, the uncharacteristically menacing pair abduct Bird and whisk him off to a shadowy warehouse, where they reveal an unexpectedly dazzling array of premium gifts that are perfect for his relatives. 

Director Kerr said: What could be more Christmassy than a tiny doll and plastic dinosaur delivering a surprise to an unsuspecting shopper, Simon Bird? Such a funny idea - but getting the most from the comedy meant being true to the drama of the situation. We needed a hint of tension to reinforce the humour - and Simon’s reactions hit exactly that sweet spot. Visually, it was all about sustaining a noir-ish mood - until the joyous rug-pull reveal. ETC brought so much delicious detail to the animation of Connie and Trevor. Somehow these minuscule characters become credibly commanding. I wouldn’t want to be on their naughty list.”