Great happiness can come in the smallest packages, as Dunkin’ reminds people in a heartwarming children’s tale for the holiday season.
Dunkin’s new campaign, “The Little Holiday Munchkin,” is an animated short narrated by actress and comedian Mindy Kaling and created by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s production company, Artists Equity. The studio Buck handled the animation.
The one-minute spot is based on a new children’s book of the same name, also released this week, with proceeds from every book sold benefiting the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.
The story brings to life a Dunkin’ Munchkins donut hole on a journey of belonging. The character feels discarded and forgotten, until one snowy day when it’s scooped up by a child who deems it “special, the best bite of all.”
The brand aims to reposition Munchkins from an occasional add-on treat to a festive hero, with the tagline, “Sometimes the smallest part is the best part.”
Dunkin’ chief marketing officer Jill Nelson said the animation and book illustrate how overlooked things can bring the most joy during the holiday season.
“‘The Little Holiday Munchkin’ is a reminder that joy can come from the smallest things – whether it’s a donut-hole treat, a moment of kindness, or a story shared together,” Nelson said in a statement.
Kaling, like Dunkin’, Affleck, and Damon, is a Massachusetts native.
“What I love about this story is how it celebrates the overlooked things that end up being the most special. I’m a sucker for an underdog – and for the holidays – so this book is definitely earning a spot in our bedtime story rotation,” she said in a statement.
