--- title: Cadbury 'Eyebrows' 2009: the surreal UK ad that won Cannes Lions Grand Prix | RGM® url: https://realgrowthmatters.com/learn/case-studies/cadbury-influencer-partnership-campaign/ updated: 2026-06-10 source_html: https://realgrowthmatters.com/learn/case-studies/cadbury-influencer-partnership-campaign/ --- - **Story:** Cadbury 'Eyebrows' 2009 UK ad: surreal 60-second narrative of children at photographer dancing their eyebrows to 'Don't Stop the Rock' electro-funk music. Cannes Lions Grand Prix 2009. Cultural reference. Part of Cadbury surreal-humor ad series including Cadbury Gorilla (2007). - **Why it matters:** Cadbury Eyebrows is canonical surreal-humor branded ad case — demonstrating brand-as-mood can substitute for direct product communication. - **Takeaway:** Surreal humor can produce significant cultural attention. - **Takeaway:** Brand-as-mood (joy) can substitute for direct product communication. - **Takeaway:** Iconic ads in series compound brand association over time. ## Cadbury Eyebrows — the four-step story S Situation Situation Cadbury had launched iconic 'Gorilla' ad in 2007 (surreal humor approach). Wanted to continue surreal-humor brand approach in subsequent ads. T Task Task Create surreal-humor Cadbury ad continuing the brand-mood approach. A Action Action January 2009 released 'Eyebrows' 60-second ad. Surreal narrative of children dancing eyebrows. 'Don't Stop the Rock' music. Fallon London agency, Tom Kuntz director. R Result Result Cannes Lions Grand Prix 2009. Cultural reference. Significant brand attention. Continued Cadbury surreal-humor campaign series success. ## Cadbury Eyebrows by the numbers 0 Eyebrows released UK ad launch Source: Cadbury campaign 0s Ad length Premium TV format Source: Ad specifications 0 Cannes Lions 2009 Top advertising award Source: Cannes records 0 Creative approach Brand-as-mood not product Source: Creative strategy 0 Agency Cadbury creative agency Source: Agency credits 0 Context Part of broader surreal-humor series Source: Campaign series #### Quick facts BrandCadbury Campaign'Eyebrows' UK ad ReleasedJanuary 2009 Length60 seconds AgencyFallon London DirectorTom Kuntz Industry recognitionCannes Lions Grand Prix 2009 Music'Don't Stop the Rock' by Freestyle **Honest note** Cadbury Eyebrows is widely documented as canonical iconic ad. The case is included as canonical surreal-humor branded ad reference. ## The surreal Cadbury campaign Cadbury launched 'Eyebrows' in January 2009 as 60-second UK ad. Surreal narrative: two children at photographer waiting for photo suddenly start dancing their eyebrows to electro music while photographer is fetching something. The ad ends with kids dancing wildly and photographer returning oblivious. The ad followed earlier iconic Cadbury 'Gorilla' ad (2007) as part of broader Cadbury surreal-humor campaign series. Won Cannes Lions Grand Prix 2009 - top advertising award. Became cultural reference. ## How RGM thinks about surreal-humor branded ads When clients ask about creative branded advertising, the Cadbury Eyebrows case is canonical reference. The lessons: surreal humor can produce significant cultural attention; brand-as-mood (joy) can substitute for direct product communication; and iconic ads in series compound brand association over time. ## Frequently asked questions What music plays in Eyebrows? 'Don't Stop the Rock' by Freestyle - 1985 electro-funk track. The music selection produced significant attention and the track had renewed popularity post-ad. What's the connection to Cadbury Gorilla? Cadbury Gorilla (2007) was earlier iconic surreal-humor Cadbury ad showing gorilla drumming to Phil Collins. Both ads part of broader Cadbury campaign series emphasizing joy and surreal humor rather than direct product communication. ### Sources & references - [Cannes Lions archive](https://www.canneslionsarchive.com/) — 2009 Grand Prix records. ## Related [#### All case studies Full library.](/learn/case-studies/)[#### Cadbury Gorilla Earlier Cadbury iconic ad.](/learn/case-studies/cadbury-gorilla-2007-ad/)