TravelSupermarket advert stars ‘Barry’ from Eastenders

TravelSupermarket is running a major advertising campaign starring ‘Barry’ from Eastenders and a talking pug.

The advert, which will run on TV, radio and online, has been described as the comparison site’s “first integrated above-the-line campaign in over five years”.

It aims to put TravelSupermarket at the top of people’s minds when they are looking for deals on holidays, car hire, travel insurance, flights and hotels.

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TravelSupermarket chief marketing officer Steve Seddon said: “I love the advert as while it demonstrates the breadth of products TravelSupermarket offers, it is delivered by Barry from Eastenders and a ‘talking’ dog.”

The light-hearted advert set on a bus features various passengers helping the seemingly ill-informed main character with her search for “the best deals” on a holiday.

Shaun Williamson (pictured) – best known for his roles in Eastenders and Extras – is among the passengers recommending TravelSupermarket, as is a dog that speaks with a subtitled bark.

The advertising campaign, created by Meanwhile, is called: ‘A Supermarket. For Travel. Obviously’.

The advert was directed by Chris Cottam through Chief, with audio elements by Mark Hills through Factory, and media planning and buying by Brazil Street.

Meanwhile’s chief commercial officer Tim Jones said: “When we started working with TravelSupermarket, we quickly realised that by name their business proposition and benefit to consumers felt quite…well…obvious.”

Seddon added: “Coinciding with the biggest holiday booking period for our customers, the brand-new campaign highlights just how much of a ‘go-to’ brand TravelSupermarket already is in the British consciousness.”

Operators featured on TravelSupermarket include easyJet holidays, Jet2holidays and Tui.

The website’s parent company is Ice Travel Group.