Google and Uncommon Inspire a Summer of Hope with ‘What are you Searching for this Summer?’ Campaign

Today, Google and Uncommon launch their first creative project together: ‘What are you Searching for this Summer?’ With lockdown restrictions easing in the UK, the campaign tells a story of freedom and release and the role Google plays in your every achievement — from the everyday to the epic. The campaign invites users across all channels to consider “what are you searching for this Summer?”

Summer 2021 represents a powerful moment of both collective and individual liberation as we venture into the warmth of sunnier months and restrictions lifting in the UK. But with that freedom comes many questions and mixed emotions in which this uniquely strange summer triggers — from re-entry anxiety, through to rebuilding relationships to loss and love.

This new emotive project from Google, created by Uncommon, unearths these questions at the forefront of 68 million people that make-up the UK, as Google search helps reacquaint us with the world and each other as we start this most epic of summers.

The new work launches with a powerful film driving emotion back into the brand’s most powerful feature: Google Search. The film centres around the power and act of search in our daily lives. The two-minute piece focuses on how the questions unconsciously tapped into the search bar can represent our hopes and dreams for the summer ahead.

The film hinges on the poetic realisation that we are all searching for something. Our story starts with the gift of freedom and the possibility of new adventures this summer, as the UK opens up again. Reflecting truthfully how not everyone feels excited, capturing feelings of anxiety that have been caused by prolonged separation. We see confessional searches for 'how to talk to people' and 'what is reopening anxiety.'

The ad continues to move through different search queries with one section focusing on football ahead of the 2021 Euros — set to take place once again on British soil. But society and football itself have moved on incredibly since 1996, the last time we saw the tournament here. The film reflects this point with inclusive imagery of people enjoying the beautiful game including England’s Euros manager, Gareth Southgate, coaching a Birmingham-based senior walking men’s football team.

As lockdown lifts many relationships will start again with renewed focus. Google can help us understand each other better. We see fathers make confessional searches — keen to start improving their relationships with their kids. We also take a poignant and very personal moment to remember those we’ve lost.

The film then switches to touching, uplifting searches around human contact asking when we can hug, kiss and date again — a reflection many can relate to having been away from loved ones for so long. Just like the dating scene — weddings have been largely on pause for over a year. The film takes a moment to celebrate these joyous occasions.

The work ends with hedonism and hope. We see people question when we can go ‘out out’ and party again, culminating in a sunrise request. Nothing symbolises hope like the dawn. Every new day is a fresh start. Every search is an act of hope. And every hopeful journey starts with you.

Nishma Robb, director of brand & reputation marketing at Google, said: “Our Summer campaign is anthemic in tone and ambition, designed to mirror the truly unique moment we are facing in the UK as lockdown eases. It is anchored around Google’s role in helping people find the answers — from the everyday to the epic — as they start anew this Summer. We invite everyone to consider: “What are you searching for this Summer?”

Nils Leonard, co-founder, Uncommon Creative Studio added: “As Britain emerges from a year of more pandemic, this project speaks to the many questions and mixed emotions this summer triggers in particular. From re-entry anxiety, through to rebuilding relationships to loss and love. What we search for in that little bar is powerful stuff. Trivial terms tell the story of our hopes and unknowns, the smallest search can mean everything. We find each other there. Uncommon are proud to bring the Google brand story to the UK as we all enter the Summer of our lives.”

The music in the ad transports viewers back to memories of dancing in crowds with friends and loved ones. Jamie XX’s upbeat track ‘All Under One Roof Raving’ mirrors the sound of Modern Britain, reflecting the mix of cultures across the nation, while combining everyday reality with the energy of hope for a new beginning.

The integrated campaign launches with the two minute advert that will premier during Channel 4’s ‘Great British Bake Off: The Professionals’ on Tuesday 1st June and will continue to play out on YouTube, TV, Cinema, VOD, Online and Social throughout the month of June and July. The campaign covers all channels and will be accompanied by a digital and poster suite launching in the coming week across iconic locations in the UK — stay tuned.