Pepsi is helping people give the gift on everyone’s list: Cash. The beverage brand has enlisted Cardi B to front its Christmas campaign, called “Gift It Forward”.
The first commercial, which debuted during NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, was filmed in London and features the rapper working with elves of the North Pole to give out money to everyone, regardless of their behavior.
The spot opens with the narrator reading the story of Cardi B and her sister who, on a snowy Bronx night, in 2002, stayed up to see Santa come through. Cardi sat on the couch in the back and soon learned, from a piece of paper left behind by Santa, that she was right at the top of the naughty list and this was the reason why she hadn’t received any gift. That was the night she promised that, one day, she would give out gifts to whoever you are, without using a list and flying in her car.
The video then switches to current day, where Cardi B, clad in a blue outfit, enters her twerk shop, where dozens of elves are turning Pepsi into cash. Eventually, as she gets into her convertible to spread the money around the city, she encourages people to scan their Pepsi, match to win and give than money forward to whoever they want. “Keep the Pepsi, give the cash!” she also says.
This holiday season, Pepsi buyers will have the chance to win cash prizes ranging from $5 to $25,000 thanks to the holiday 12-packs stamped with special QR-codes. Winners will also be able to gift their winnings to friends and family as part of the season of giving.
The 27-year-old artist said, in a press statement she’s really excited for the holidays this year because her baby is a little bit older and that she cannot wait to see her interact with her family. Cardi B also revealed she loves toy shopping and, asked if she would record a Christmas song of her own, she answered she is “not playing with Christmas”.