Ad of the Week: Tetley turns to tiresome talking animals trope

Undeterred by its rival PG Tips’ inglorious history with chimps, tea brand Tetley has waded into talking animal territory with its new ad.

It stars a cat and a dog, who, once the humans leave, settle in for a cuppa. A series of paw-on-a-stick shots awkwardly negotiate the physical process of tea-making, with the pets contorted into human-like positions on the sofa (via CGI, of course). There they share some inane chat, the highlight of which is a weak joke about it “raining chaps and gals” outside.

Further digital activity will highlight tea’s role in conversation, which seems a good idea – though Tetley’s ‘conversation starters’ like ‘milk first or last?’ and ‘strong or milky?’ reflect this ad’s lack of imagination.

Cute animals, though.