"Double Act"

7 July 2026

90s

Twin peaks.

According to press reports last month, Dougal Wilson may be about to embark on Paddington 4 and, if that's the case, this ad for Twix serves as a reminder of what we lose when Wilson is gallivanting around the world with the world's most beloved animatronic bear. There is a unique sensibility to Dougal Wilson's work and it's very much in evidence here even if it can't quite be defined.

The charm brought to the project by the director as well as puppeteers Jonny & Will (also from the Blink stable) is absolutely vital to the success of this project as, like clowns, ventriloquists' dummies are inherently creepy, and it takes a great deal of skill just to avoid a frightening outcome, never mind one that is as charming and endearing as this.

We are in the theatre of the absurd as this is one of those ideas which, on paper, doesn't quite add up, and DAVID can only imagine how difficult it could be to pitch and successfully sell an idea as esoteric as this. The words 'Dougal Wilson' may have helped.

It's a big idea worthy of a big canvas, and it's been given one. This enables nuance and subtlety.

The gags aren't laugh out loud necessarily, but they are funny. The underlying idea that the ventriloquist is supplying the sax solo as well as the vocal harmony of two different voices is inherently ridiculous... and hilarious.

Advertising like this which connects to the brand by the barest of bare threads would never be created by an algorithm or approved by one, but it is the summit of advertising creativity to make something brilliant which elevates the brand simply by dint of association. Bravo to all concerned.

UK

Chocolate