Dom Joly is a Talking Sofa in M&C Saatchi's Natwest Prank

Using hidden cameras to film passers-by as they sit on and interact with a talking sofa – voiced and directed by Dom Joly – the 30” and 90” videos demonstrate the neglected feeling people experience when only new customers are given special treatment. While the sofa initially welcomes people warmly, lavishing them with gifts and jokes, it quickly loses interest when new customers stroll past.

Running across NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels the initiative will launch this Monday 13th October. The video will also be incorporated as part of mobile-optimised rich media banners, with a YouTube homepage takeover planned for 24th October.

Derek Hemphill, Senior Marketing Manager at NatWest, said: “This campaign is all about demonstrating how we are putting loyalty and fairness first. The hidden camera stunt with Dom Joly is the perfect way to illustrate how customers feel about the unfair practice of always giving the best deals to new customers.”

Gabrielle Bell, Strategy Director at M&C Saatchi, added: “Digital allows us to push boundaries in banking communications, tangibly demonstrating what the promise to put fairness first really means for NatWest and RBS customers. Fairness can be quite an abstract concept, so we have positioned it against the unfair treatment that many people still experience in the form of our fickle and grouchy couch.”