Anchor Butter, from Arla Foods, is celebrating its 125th birthday with a massive £4m spend, starting with a TV campaign that is on air for four weeks from the end of May through to June.

The ad shows Anchor cows are back and ready to party, with a great big cake that they have decorated. The ads are set to Patti Drew’s version of ‘Hard to Handle’.

The party really gets started when one of the Anchor cows gets involved in the ‘Coweoke’ and another group of cows arrive impersonating 1970s group the Village People.

In addition to TV, the new 125th birthday creative will be shown in 3D at family films in cinemas across the UK.

Louise Turnbull, Anchor Butter brand manager, comments: “The ad pulls the best parts of the Anchor brand together; loveable Anchor cows, funny and notable TV adverts and most importantly our impressive butter-making history of 125 years.”

We have already launched an Afternoon Tea promotion with Anchor Lighter Spreadable and have a lot more exciting activity planned for the rest of the year.”

Anchor Butter has a current brand value of £96.3m  (source: Kantar 52 w/e 26 Dec 2010). It is available through wholesalers (not Bako or BFP) and cash-and-carry outlets.