In an archived NASA film from the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins discuss how they fuel up on oatmeal. It turns out that Aldrin ate oatmeal the morning he walked on the moon.

AMV BBDO turned that fact into an awe-inspiring film for Quaker Oats called Moon, that combines NASA footage and an interview with Aldrin, in which he concluded that “the next generation of explorers should not ever give up.

And the ad itself concludes shortly after with the statement, “The morning he walked on the moon, Buzz Aldrin set himself up with oats. He still does.”

Aldrin is now 86.

He is inspiring on many counts. Jeremy Gibson, PepsiCo UK marketing director, noted in the ad’s launch statement, “Buzz Aldrin is such an incredible man who has achieved so much in his life.”

The footage was found by AMV BBDO creative director, Tony Strong, who commented, “It turned out Buzz himself had never heard the original clip before. He was such a pleasure to work with – at 86, still tirelessly energetic and passionate, and a genuine porridge enthusiast: a great first advocate for the Mighty Oat.”

The film was directed by Tom Merilion through HLA. The ad will run on TV in the UK for 4 weeks from November 1.

Credits

Creative agency: AMV BBDO

Copywriter: Tony Strong

Art director: Michael Durban

Executive creative director: Paul Brazier

Creatives: Diane Leaver / Simon Rice

Head of broadcast: Yvonne Chalkley

Production company: HLA

Director: Tom Merilion

Executive producer: Helen Langridge

DOP: Bob Pendar-Hughes

Producer: Tim Daukes

Sound design: Parv Thind @ Wave

Editing: Billy Mead  @ tenthree

Colourist: James Bamford

3d artist: Marta Carbonell

2d lead artists: Zoe Cosh