Meet Socks. As you can see, he’s a plucky little wonder pony, harbouring a secret talent. A talent which makes him stand out from all the other Shetland ponies. That’s right, Socks likes nothing better than expressing himself by dancing to music.
We managed to capture him enjoying his favourite pastime earlier this year and he’s now the unlikely star of our brand new advert 
Our ad is frivolous, funny and, some might say, daft. But that’s sort of the point. With it, we want to celebrate the kind of stuff that people like to share with their friends. The stuff that on the face of it might seem meaningless, but when you dig a little deeper, you find is really about people building and cementing relationships and friendships, letting each other know they’re thinking of them. So not meaningless at all. I guess it’s the modern day equivalent of a mix tape. We did some research on this topic recently and found it’s not so much the subject of what’s shared, but the act of sharing itself that’s important.
So we went to the Shetlands and found Socks. Socks likes to moonwalk to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’ (doesn’t everyone?) And we thought we’d like to share him with you.
But more than that, you can have a little fun with Socks via the PonyMixer.com we’ve created. Here you can create your own customised pony. Have him moonwalking to Run DMC if you like. Make him wear leg warmers or an afro. The choice is yours and he’s happy to oblige.
In addition to our brand new ad, we’ve teamed up with The Guardian to bring readers the best of the internet every day with their new online section; ‘Keep on Internetting’ Click on this section and it will show you at any given time what the most liked, shared and talked about online content is.
We hope you like Socks and his extraordinary talent. Mostly we hope he will bring a smile to inboxes, newsfeeds and Twitter streams all across the land.
44 Responses to #DancePonyDance
Jones sabo anchises other the man had been through crutc 12/04/2013
Magnificent website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks for your sweat!
Paul 06/04/2013
Incorporate a group of ponies to do a Harlem Shake to Corona – Try Me Out. Instant hit!
Ros 20/03/2013
@mick – Thanks
Glad you like it. All over now though unfortunately…
mick 19/03/2013
@steve stopp being such a troll. The advert is amazing. Epic
Moderator: Johanna 19/03/2013
@Lisa – Aww glad you like our plucky little pony
Socks is having a break from his newly found fame! I hope you’ve been having a go on the pony mixer though.
lisa 19/03/2013
i love the add me and my friends cant stop talking about it and we all want another add with socks the add makes me want to sing up with three
Moderator: Lauren 18/03/2013
@Lisa foot – he’s a talented little pony but I’m not sure he’s up to gangnam style! I think moonwalking might be his limit
Moderator: Lauren 18/03/2013
@Steve – sorry you don’t like our advert. Our campaign is now over so Socks is away back to his day job up in The Shetland Islands.
lisa foot 17/03/2013
Have him doing gangnam style
chelsea louise harrison 16/03/2013
my pony mix stallion baby
Steve 15/03/2013
Please please please stop the stupid pony adverts!!!!!!!!
Superimposing the pony on cheap intercontintental backgrounds…is…well cheap….and very very basic attention grabbing
Do you really think that showing a tiny pony in various guises walking backwards will make people buy your products?? (fire your marketing people if you still think so).
Or is the aim just to talk about your firm and hope..ooh..pony….I know I’ll buy my next contract from these guys as they are soooo coool!!!
Retire the beast back to the field or supermarket burger chain or nearest field.
Ellie 12/03/2013
@Richard – Sorry to hear this Richard, we’ve passed your blog comment over to our social media customer care team so they can look into this for you. They will be in touch within 7 working days via email.
Richard 12/03/2013
Sorry but not really interested in your walking Findus burger just want some decent customer service I’ve been waiting 9 months for a broadband SIM whilst paying for service I can’t use. You’ve extracted over £100 from me for zero return. Big shout out for your Manchester St Ann’s Square store manager – explained problem and he wanted to charge me a £5 replacement fee. Can’t cancel contract either without paying another £100 – think your contracts are a bit one sided. £200+ for 0 GB broadband usage. Spent an hour on the phone to India to be told I don’t have a complaint. Urge everyone to forget shambles that is 3 service – GO STRAIGHT TO OFCOM and maybe these clowns will lose their licence.
James 11/03/2013
Jeez people find another blog post to moan about your bill/signal/phone/car/aunt maude’s wedding dance. This one should be kept free for the awesome little pony #DancePonyDance FTW!
Moderator: Nicki 11/03/2013
@Neil Harrison – The music’s ‘Everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac so you may be able to download the ringtone from the internet.
Neil Harrison 08/03/2013
love the pony. is there any way of puting it on as a ringtone wall paper, im on 3 with a nexus
Moderator: Lauren 07/03/2013
@Liam – thanks, someone should be in touch soon!
Liam 07/03/2013
Hi Lauren
[removed by mod]
Thanks
Moderator: Lauren 07/03/2013
@Liam – sorry about that. If you send your email address (we won’t post it) I can request that our Social Media Care team look in to your issue.
Liam 06/03/2013
Hi Lauren – yes over 2 weeks ago the first time and still haven’t heard anything and all times over 5 days ago.
Moderator: Lauren 06/03/2013
@Froglet – we love him too! We’ve all been humming Fleetwood Mac throughout the office all week
Moderator: Lauren 06/03/2013
@Liam – did you fill in your details via our online form? Someone should be in touch within 5 working days.
Froglet 06/03/2013
love the 3 ad with the pony, gorgeous music, great ad
liam 06/03/2013
Nicki is there anyone that can come back to me about my bill. I’ve emailed three twice and haven’t had a response. Also i have called but im now even more confused.
Ros 05/03/2013
@Becci – Hi there, sorry you’re having difficulty with the Pony Mixer. There’s no reason it shouldn’t work on that phone, it should work on all smartphones. I’ve not heard of any other customers having this issue I’m afraid.
Becci 05/03/2013
I have been trying to make a pony for a hood few days now since I was told about it and saw add. Am disappointed that it doesn’t work. The app loads and you can make it then it won’t generate a video. Is it not supported by certain phones I have used my phone and tablet both nexus
Pauline 04/03/2013
What a delightful ad. I just love it. A brilliant
way to cheer one up!
Chris Green 04/03/2013
The pony is great, but have you seen the three pony do the harlem shake?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8R48KFJp7s
Pete B 04/03/2013
Great advert, very funny. Now if only the shetland pony could get a 3 signal in the Shetlands??
Hilary Newman 04/03/2013
Could not stop telling everyone and asking if they have seen this ad, FANSTASTIC!!!!
What a great advert, talk about catch peoples attention. LOVE IT !!!!!
hip59 04/03/2013
Great funny add that gets to the point, I look forward to any follow ups to it. well done on being 10. Only 10 years old and other networks are still playing catch up with Three
BLADESMAN1889 03/03/2013
Didn’t know about the ad so it caught me by surprise – thank God for Sky+. Made even better in HD (I think I rewound it 3x first time and twice the 2nd time !)
GENIUS.
TanyaGibson 03/03/2013
Our 5 year old daughter has found the use of the rewind button! Loving it here in Essex!
Wayne 03/03/2013
Haha beat advert since the chocolate digestives advert!!!!!
Dino Bragoli 03/03/2013
Brilliant ad! Had to tell all my friends. Could not stop smiling for hours! Thank you.
kerry newson 03/03/2013
BEST ADVERT I HAVE SEEN IN AGES
sarah 02/03/2013
Absolutely loved the ad, just shared it on facebook!
Liam Killen 02/03/2013
Great ad!
We’d love to include a story about Socks on the Equestrian Creative Network.
Aurora 02/03/2013
Cool…have done all the mixes!
Moderator: Nicki 01/03/2013
@Martin Elsen – Fingers crossed
Have a great weekend!
Martin Elsen 01/03/2013
Wieden & Kennedy LDN – yes of course.
Let’s hope it goes viral folks
Moderator: Nicki 01/03/2013
@Martin Elsen – Glad you like the ad
The creative was by W+K.
Martin Elsen 01/03/2013
Great ad… Great concept that was easily and immediately embraced.
I’m guessing you used AMV for the creative – has their style written all over it.
Hugh 01/03/2013
Love #DancePonyDance is that Kevin Bacon driving the tractor?