Milka
Few directors can tap into a tangible sense of childlike wonder like Vesa Manninen, so when he came to us to work on a treatment for an enchanting campaign for Swiss chocolate brand Milka, we knew he was the perfect fit.
The goal was to bring the magical world of Lilaberg and its broad cast of whimsical characters to life in all their Swiss alpine glory. Vesa wanted to create a space that felt as cosy, familiar, and welcoming as your favourite pair of slippers - a mountain sanctuary where extraordinary moments feel entirely natural.
The treatment focused on deep world-building and character development, adding rich narrative detail and quirky personality to the initial outline provided in the creative brief. We drew deep visual inspiration from the distinct, whimsical worlds of Wes Anderson, as well as cinematic masterpieces like Amélie and Big Fish. By seamlessly blending these classic cinematic influences, we developed a cohesive look and feel that balanced grounded realism with the pure, childlike enchantment of walking into a vintage sweet shop.
We mapped out detailed visual beats that gave every scene a handcrafted feel. These aesthetic elements were anchored throughout the design using the Milka’s iconic purple branding and elegant typefaces, giving the pitch layout a charming, bespoke storybook styling.
Every page of the deck was crafted to immerse the reader directly into the environment, offering a clear roadmap for camera movement, colour grading, and comedic pacing. The result perfectly paved the way for the finished campaign, painting a quaint, picturesque vision of the heartwarming goings-on in this idyllic hamlet. The final series of films beautifully showcase Vesa's playful personality, nuanced direction, and unique brand of magical realism, resulting in a timeless campaign that captures a true sense of wonder and stands as a testament to truly imaginative storytelling.