Quick Summary
- Surprising transformation. Gordon Ramsay ditches his fiery persona for a zen-like existence in this unexpected, humorous ad.
- Engaging storytelling. The ad uses a comedic, step-by-step format to show Ramsay’s struggle to relax—until “Hay Day” becomes his ultimate escape.
- Viral impact. With millions of views and strong audience engagement, the ad leverages celebrity, humor, and relatability for a marketing win.
Gordon Ramsay, the undisputed king of kitchen chaos, embarks on an unexpected journey—to find inner peace. That’s the story in the latest “Hay Day” YouTube ad.
In the campaign’s centerpiece, “Gordon Ramsay Takes Up Farming,” the famously hot-tempered chef scrambles through every relaxation method on the menu, from digital detoxes to goat yoga, before finally discovering his true Zen moment in “Hay Day”—Supercell’s popular farming game.
Unexpected contrast, cinematic comedy, and Ramsay’s global appeal make this ad a standout example of viral marketing done right.
So, what makes it so effective?
Let’s dig in.
Background
Hay Day, developed by Supercell, is a mobile farming game celebrated for its calming gameplay, allowing players to cultivate crops, raise animals, and build their dream farms.
Seeking to attract a broader audience and infuse fresh excitement, Supercell enlisted Gordon Ramsay to showcase a tranquil side, contrasting his usual fiery demeanor.
From January 15 to 24, 2025, Ramsay stepped into the serene world of farming, replacing the in-game character Greg, who’s off on a fishing trip. In this limited-time event, Ramsay takes over Greg’s farm duties, assisting players with their agricultural tasks and introducing special events like the Calming County Fair. Players can earn unique rewards, including the Pond of Harmony, by participating in these events.
To promote his in-game role, Ramsay stars in this humorous video detailing his quest for inner peace.
This campaign was designed to:
- Attract new players who might not typically play a farming sim.
- Tap into Gordon Ramsay’s massive audience across TV and social media.
- Leverage humor to create a memorable and shareable ad.
With over 80 million followers across social platforms and a brand built on passion and perfectionism, Ramsay is the perfect wildcard for this campaign. Watching him embrace farm life? That’s marketing magic.
“You might know me for being angry, but that was the old me.”
Campaign Overview
Act 1: The struggle for inner peace
The ad kicks off with Ramsay trying (and failing) to relax. We watch him suffer through:
- Positive affirmations. Talking to himself in the mirror? Doesn’t work.
- Digital detox. Goodbye phone. Hello, instant regret.
- Weighted blankets and aromatherapy. Useless.
- Laughter therapy. Cue awkward forced chuckling.
This relatable struggle immediately hooks viewers. Many people struggle to “chill out,” making Ramsay’s exaggerated frustration both funny and familiar.
Act 2: The revelation
Ramsay, still searching for peace, stumbles upon “Hay Day” on his phone. Suddenly, everything changes:
- The screen brightens as soft, pastoral music plays.
- Ramsay smiles—genuinely. A rare sight.
- He finally finds a stress-free escape in farming—an ironic yet hilarious twist.
Act 3: The transformation
The ad ends with Ramsay encountering a classic farm accident with a brief return to his old self, but then declaring, “Still happy!”
The visual contrast—kitchen chaos vs. farm-fueled serenity—drives home the ad’s comedic punchline. It’s a marketing win, served fresh.
“I tried affirmations.”
Key Success Factors
The power of contrast
- “Gordon Ramsay” and “calmness” are two things that don’t belong in the same sentence. The ad plays on this contradiction to deliver humor and intrigue.
- Viewers are hooked because they want to see how Ramsay, famous for his explosive temper, reacts to the ultra-calm gameplay of “Hay Day.”
Humor that feels authentic
- The comedy isn’t forced; it’s rooted in Ramsay’s real personality.
- Situational comedy—his frustration with typical relaxation methods—is instantly relatable.
- The final payoff (achieving peace through a mobile game) is unexpected but oddly satisfying.
Celebrity power and mass appeal
- Ramsay’s massive fan base extends this ad’s reach far beyond gamers.
- His cross-generational appeal means millennials and Gen Z audiences (who make up a large portion of mobile gamers) are likely to engage.
- Existing fans get an extra layer of enjoyment by seeing a “new” side of their favorite chef.
Shareability and social buzz
- Highly meme-able moments. Ramsay struggling with meditation? Instant gold for reaction GIFs.
- Broad relatability. Even people who don’t play mobile games can relate to his battle with stress.
- Gaming crossover. The ad appeals to both casual players and hardcore gamers, expanding “Hay Day”’s audience.
Limited-time events
Time-sensitive content encourages immediate participation, boosting player activity and game downloads.
“I even tried laughter therapy.”
Innovative Elements
A fresh take on celebrity endorsements
Most gaming ads featuring celebrities focus on hype and action. This ad flips the script. Instead of promoting “intense gameplay,” it highlights relaxation and escapism.
Ramsay’s real personality drives the comedy, making the ad genuinely entertaining.
Role reversal
Presenting Ramsay in a calm, pastoral setting subverts expectations, creating a memorable and impactful campaign.
Storytelling over hard selling
The ad doesn’t focus on the features of “Hay Day.” Instead, it weaves them into Ramsay’s personal journey. It feels more like a mini-movie than a traditional mobile game ad.
Leveraging YouTube for maximum reach
YouTube is perfect for long-form storytelling, making it the right platform for this ad’s comedic setup. Shorter cuts of the ad can be easily shared across TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, ensuring virality across platforms.
In-game integration
Featuring Ramsay as an interactive character enhances player engagement, providing a unique and immersive experience.
“The recipe for my calmness was right here . . . ”
Impact and Results
While official viewership numbers are still climbing, the ad has already achieved:
- Massive social engagement. Fans love the humor, and it’s sparking online discussions. In just seven days, the ad has generated 812K views on YouTube, 145K likes on TikTok, and 315K likes on Ramsay’s own Instagram page.
- Positive media coverage. Marketing experts are praising its originality.
- High shareability. Clips from the ad are everywhere.
- Brand recognition. Supercell created another “Hay Day” ad titled Gordon Ramsay in Hay Day?, announcing Ramsay’s hosting gig. The ad instantly exploded on YouTube; at the time of this writing, it has received 982K views.
With Ramsay’s massive influence and Hay Day’s dedicated fanbase, this campaign is on track to rack up millions of views and significantly boost game downloads.
“. . . all along.”
Marketer Takeaways
- Play with audience expectations. The best ads surprise and delight. Putting Ramsay in a chill environment made this campaign memorable.
- Use humor rooted in authenticity. The ad worked because it stayed true to Ramsay’s persona while placing him in a fun, unexpected scenario.
- Sell the feeling, not the features. This ad isn’t about the features of a farming sim game—it’s about the feeling of relaxation the game provides.
- Pick the perfect celebrity. Ramsay was the ideal choice because his frustration-turned-fulfillment arc matched the ad’s message perfectly.
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