Publicis' holiday video sees Michael Douglas join Arthur Sadoun and Maurice Levy

Publicis Groupe's annual “Wishes” holiday video has long featured a comedic double act from CEO Arthur Sadoun and his predecessor Maurice Levy. But 2022's version is a little different; not only does the film shine a light on a more serious subject, but it also features a very special guest star: movie star Michael Douglas.

Following Sadoun's diagnosis with and treatment for HPV-related cancer earlier this year, the film, dubbed “Useful Wishes, ” drives awareness around the Human Papilloma Virus and the fact that there is a vaccine. Douglas, who has also suffered from HPV-related cancer, makes a special appearance.

The film starts off with Levy boasting of a “magnifique” year for Publicis Groupe. But as he reels off the company's double-digit growth and stellar new business results, Sadoun interrupts to remind him that “80% of adults have the HPV virus.”

Sadoun starts to explain the facts around HPV-related cancers, with the seriousness lightened by some of the more humorous scenes of Sadoun and Levy that we've come to expect from these videos. There's an animated scene with the pair depicted as Minions, and the two clown around trading some statistics (Levy explains that 80% of phones have fallen down the toilet) before they're interrupted by Douglas, announcing in French that it was “100% improbable” that he'd end up in the holiday video of “some ad agency.”

Levy's astounded reaction (and pronunciation of the star's name as “Michael Dooglass”) is suitably hilarious. Douglas then explains the importance of the HPV vaccine before Sadoun wishes Publicis employees a “happy, healthy and protected” 2023. Ultimately, Publicis aims to highlight that, despite the fact that 80% of all adults will contract HPV at some point in their lives, for far too long cancers related to this virus have been stigmatized. 

The film, which was created by Le Truc in partnership with its Prodigious production arm, balances this year's serious message well with the comedy we've come to expect from double act. Douglas' turn is a delightful surprise (and especially his final sign-off to Levy) and a fun addition to the holiday tradition that has previously seen the pair recreate classic movies, depict Sadoun with a “Covid belly” and have a dig at influencers.

“These definitely aren’t our ordinary wishes because it hasn’t been an ordinary year,” Sadoun said in an email. “Once again, we are trying to bring a smile to our people’s faces but even more importantly we wanted to put our creativity at the service of what we believe is an important message for everyone.”