The 2019 Staatsloterij campaign, titled "Freddie," presents a brand proposition centered on the emotional value of human kindness and connection beyond monetary gain. While promoting a significant 30 million euro New Year’s Eve jackpot, the campaign shifts focus from pure financial reward to the happiness derived from helping others, illustrating that true fulfillment transcends wealth. By embedding this message within a warm, narrative-driven film featuring a vulnerable hedgehog being rescued, Staatsloterij aligns its brand with empathy, community, and shared joy.
Strategically, the campaign leverages a relatable and tender storyline to engage audiences on an emotional level, rather than relying solely on the allure of gambling jackpots. The creative choice to personify vulnerability through Freddie the hedgehog—a small, defenseless character—provides a metaphor for everyday acts of kindness, making the lottery’s promise more human and accessible. This narrative approach appeals to viewers’ values, positioning Staatsloterij not just as a pathway to wealth, but as an entity that appreciates and promotes social goodwill. Targeting a broad demographic in the Netherlands, the campaign uses the universal theme of mutual aid to connect with audiences who may be skeptical of gambling as purely profit-driven, thereby fostering a more positive brand perception. The use of a film medium further supports immersive storytelling, encouraging emotional investment and reinforcing the idea that the greatest jackpots are found in human connection, not just financial fortune.
FORMAT#5 EXEMPLARY STORY — Tells a story where the product plays a vital role in the plot or resolution.
This campaign fits Exemplary Story because it centers on a clear narrative arc involving Freddie the hedgehog and his human rescuer. The rescuing event—interrupting the protagonist’s urgent journey to check a winning lottery ticket—creates a decisive moment where the character’s values are tested. While the massive lottery jackpot is an underlying motivator, the story’s resolution concludes not with winning money, but with the happiness derived from helping Freddie. The Staatsloterij brand is thus integrated as the narrative’s catalyst, while the plot’s resolution embodies the idea that true happiness often comes from acts of kindness, not material gain. The film’s narrative structure, with its inciting incident, emotional turning point, and theme-driven resolution, exemplifies the exemplary story format.
1. Nederlandse Loterij – Positions itself as the official state lottery with a strong focus on trust, transparency, and social responsibility, promoting a wide range of games appealing to various demographics while emphasizing its contribution to public causes in the Netherlands.
2. Lotto – Differentiates through its long heritage and tradition in Dutch gambling, offering a variety of draw-based games with simple gameplay and attractive jackpots, targeting a broad audience seeking both fun and the chance to win life-changing prizes.
3. Kroon Casino – Focuses on providing an entertaining, modern online casino experience with a wide selection of games and promotions, appealing to younger, tech-savvy Dutch players looking for instant wins and engaging digital interaction.
4. Jack’s Casino – Positions itself as a trendy, approachable land-based casino brand with a robust online presence, offering diverse gambling options that combine social atmosphere with innovative gaming technology to attract urban Dutch gamblers.
5. Holland Casino – Differentiates as the only state-owned casino operator with a premium, sophisticated gaming experience, emphasizing safety, regulated gambling, and luxury entertainment venues, targeting high-income and experience-seeking customers within the Dutch market.
Q: What is 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie about?
A: 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie is a film campaign created by TBWA for Staatsloterij, the largest lottery in the Netherlands, and launched in 2019. The campaign centers on a heartwarming narrative in which a man, en route to check his potential winning ticket for a 30 million euro jackpot, stops to rescue a vulnerable hedgehog named Freddie crossing the road at night. Rather than focusing solely on the allure of financial gain, the campaign highlights the emotional fulfillment found in acts of kindness, positioning Staatsloterij as a brand that values empathy and community alongside the excitement of the lottery.
Q: What creative device does 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie use?
A: 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie employs the Exemplary Story format, as classified by Clapboard's 12-format taxonomy. This approach centers the campaign around a clear narrative arc, where the product—the lottery ticket—plays a pivotal role in the plot’s resolution. The film’s inciting incident, emotional turning point, and theme-driven conclusion all reinforce the idea that true happiness is found in helping others, not just in material gain. By integrating Staatsloterij as the narrative catalyst, the campaign delivers its message through immersive, character-driven storytelling.
Q: What is the campaign proposition for 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie?
A: The campaign proposition for 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie positions Staatsloterij as a brand that champions the emotional value of human kindness and connection over mere monetary reward. While promoting a significant New Year’s Eve jackpot, the campaign shifts the focus to the happiness that comes from helping others, using the story of Freddie the hedgehog as a metaphor for everyday compassion. This strategic positioning appeals to a broad Dutch audience, aiming to foster a positive perception of the lottery as a force for social good within the media and entertainment category.
Q: How does 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie rank in Clapboard's archive?
A: In Clapboard's global ad archive, 2019 | Staatsloterij New Year's Eve Lottery | Freddie holds a Clapboard Campaign Score of 63/100. This score reflects the campaign’s creative ambition, execution quality, and cultural relevance as assessed by Clapboard’s curatorial authority.
Q: Who are the competitors in Staatsloterij's category?
A: In the Dutch gambling and lottery market, Staatsloterij faces competition from several key players. Nederlandse Loterij positions itself as the official state lottery, emphasizing trust, transparency, and social responsibility. Lotto leverages its long-standing heritage and straightforward gameplay to attract a broad audience seeking both entertainment and life-changing prizes. Kroon Casino targets younger, tech-savvy players with a modern online gaming experience, while Jack’s Casino combines a social atmosphere with innovative technology to appeal to urban gamblers. Holland Casino stands out as the only state-owned operator offering a premium, regulated, and luxury gaming environment for high-income and experience-driven customers.