The animation sees Santa and his Manc Rudolph trying out ice skating in the city centre.
Santa, who is not very competent on skates, is soon helped by a couple of kind-hearted children before the camera pulls out to reveal that other skaters have etched out a huge Manchester bee in the ice.
The animation, with audio from Manchester’s Bent Ear, has been created to promote the Christmas season in Manchester and encourage families to visit and enjoy the city.
The number of views rivals the festive ads of major retail giants John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.
Andrew Lord, Managing Director at Flipbook Studio, said: “It was great working in partnership with Manchester City Council’s communications team again for another year of festive, creative brainstorming. “We were asked to devise a creative treatment and animation that was humorous, heart-warming, poignant and that incorporated the worker bee emblem of Manchester, which has this year come to symbolise so much more to many Mancunians.
“Christmas is a time for unity and coming together and we wanted the animation to simply reflect that and Manchester’s indomitable and compassionate spirit. We’re very proud of our home city and delighted that the animation has been so well received.”
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, added: “Our Christmas video has broken all records and just shows how many people it has touched at an important time for the city.
“The festive season boosts the city’s economy by around £90m and is vitally important for retailers of all sizes – independent and high street alike.
“The animation touches the soul following turbulent times in the city this year, and it has really hit the mark with the millions of people who have watched and loved it.”
You can watch the animation here.
