Smirnoff advertising blitz planned

United Distillers & Vintners is to launch a &£5m Christmas advertising blitz for Smirnoff vodka. The cinema and TV campaign breaks on Friday in a dark, humorous ad through J Walter Thompson. Entitled ‘Makeover’, it features a demonic monk called Damian. It will be followed next month by another TV ad called ‘RIP’. The campaign will also run on radio, billboards, and in style magazines. Smirnoff’s packaged sub-brand Smirnoff Ice will have a &£4m ad spend over Christmas and into the New Year (MW October 20). Media buying for both campaigns is through Carat.