LICENSING ICONIC FILM IP FOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
HOME INSTEAD GIVES FERRIS BUELLER'S SISTER THE DAY OFF SHE DESERVES
BACKGROUND:
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the beloved 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Home Instead and creative agency BBDO Chicago brought audiences back into the world of Ferris Bueller for their 2026 holiday campaign. Save Jeanie reunites original cast members Jennifer Grey, Charlie Sheen and Cindy Pickett to tell a new story about family, aging and the importance of asking for help. While Ferris famously neglected responsibilities, his sister Jeanie is still picking up the slack decades later. Now responsible for caring for her older parents, Jeanie finds herself overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities while her brother is nowhere to be found. The campaign uses humor to highlight the challenges faced by family caregivers, demonstrating how Home Instead's services can help give them a much-deserved break.
THE APPROVAL PROCESS:
Working with such a beloved and remembered film, we collaborated with the studio to ensure the script felt on-brand for the characters and where they would be in life today. From creative development through launch, we managed the approval of all elements; video, OOH, digital, paid and organic social, influencer and a charitable activation.
THE CALL TO BORN:
Following their 2025 campaign featuring Home Alone, Home Instead and creative agency BBDO Chicago wanted to feature another iconic, nostalgic film for the brand’s 2026 holiday spot. With challenging timelines, Born Licensing was called on by BBDO Chicago to find a film that matched their campaign brief. Leaning on our strong relationship with Paramount Pictures we were able to quickly negotiate the license for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off managing the process from start to finish.
WHERE BORN LICENSING ADDED VALUE:
Our longstanding relationship with Paramount Pictures made Born Licensing a crucial partner in this campaign. We knew the right people to bring the idea to life and quickly negotiate the deal. The production had a tight timeline, and we facilitated expedited discussions with Paramount to ensure the work would be live for the holidays, as well as managing the approval process and everything involved in licensing the IP.
THE MAKING OF:
Directed by Jody Hill (Caviar), the campaign recreates moments from the film while bringing its characters into the present day. Jennifer Grey reprises her role as Jeanie Bueller, embarking on a familiar mission to track down her elusive brother. Along the way, audiences are treated to nostalgic callbacks to the original film, including a visit to an art museum and the discovery of a mannequin in Ferris's bed. Jeanie eventually encounters Charlie Sheen's character, who offers her some unexpected advice: rather than doing everything herself, why not ask for help? Cindy Pickett returns as Katie Bueller, while the campaign features the song Rotating Heads by The English Beat, from the film’s soundtrack, further connecting the new story to the 1986 classic.
THE LAUNCH:
Save Jeanie launched on 9 November 2026, bringing the beloved characters of Ferris Bueller's Day Off back to screens, also celebrating 40 years of the original film's release. The campaign launched on broadcast television, streaming, social media and digital platforms, supported by local activations and opportunities to celebrate real-life caregivers through the Nominate a Jeanie initiative. An OOH campaign also launched in Chicago, the setting of the 1986 film. The TV spot is set to air during the 2027 Golden Globes, further connecting Home Instead to movies and entertainment.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off © 1986 Paramount Pictures.
ICONIC IP WE’VE PLACED
