Gambling Tommy
Short, funny, vertical films that reframe risky driving as a bet nobody sensible would take. Fronted by broadcaster Tommy Sandhu, built for Reels, TikTok and Shorts, and seasonal enough to run all year.
What it is
Gambling Tommy is a character who will bet on anything - and loses every time he bets on the road. Each film takes one risk - a drink before the drive home, a quick look at the phone, skipping the seatbelt, pushing the speed - and plays it as a wager with the odds stacked against him.
The concept originated with Surrey RoadSafe and was developed with members into a series. There are five films so far: drink driving in summer and winter editions, then speed, distraction and seatbelts, with drugs and fatigue in production.
Each film is under a minute, shot vertical first, and comes with pre-written post copy and stills so your social team can schedule a month of content in an afternoon.
Preview
Gambling Tommy - the original. The summer drink-drive film that started the series. Tommy will bet on anything, including whether his mate is fine to drive after a couple.
The full set
- Drink driving (summer)The original, shown above
- Drink driving (Christmas)The office party editWatch
- DistractionsPhones, passengers and the car Tommy has not noticed yetWatch
- SpeedTommy backs himself on a 30
- SeatbeltsShort trip, no belt, long odds
Evaluated with 277 young men
Dr Elizabeth Box tested the Summer and Christmas films against a THINK! drink drive advert and a control film with 277 men aged 18 to 35. The Summer film significantly increased how likely viewers felt they were to seriously harm someone, or be caught, if they drove after drinking - an effect that held after accounting for their own drinking. Both films significantly out-engaged the control, the Christmas film was the most shared of the four, and Gambling Tommy matched the THINK! advert on message recall. The findings are shaping the new speed, distraction and seatbelt films.
Who it is for
- Social media teams at councils, partnerships and police forces
- Anyone running seasonal drink and drug drive campaigns
- Fleet and driving school channels reaching younger drivers
What you get
- Five vertical films (9:16), with 16:9 cut-downs
- Your logo on the end frame
- Post copy and stills for each film
- New films added as the series grows
How you can use it
- Available to Toolbox members, and on its own from the Supermarket at £950 per year (ex VAT).
- Branded with your logo
- Use across your own channels and share with local partners during the licence
Toolbox membership includes every resource, the Expert Panel and the Vision Zero Community for your whole organisation.
Gambling Tommy - the original
The summer drink-drive film that started the series. Tommy will bet on anything, including whether his mate is fine to drive after a couple.
Gambling Tommy - Distractions
Tommy will bet on anything, including whether his mate can drive and text at the same time.
Gambling Tommy - Christmas
The Christmas work-party edit of the drink-drive film, released for the December campaign window.