23-04-2025
Succession star Brian Cox swaps boardroom for roller skates in hilarious new advert
Malibu's new commercial urges people to 'clock off' and take their after-work hours seriously - something Logan Roy was definitely not an advocate of.
Succession star Brian Cox has given up the boredom of being in charge of Waystar Royco to embrace his softer side after fronting a fun advert for flavoured rum.
Malibu's new commercial urges people to 'clock off' and take their after-work hours seriously.
The drinks firm has enlisted Scots actor Cox – known for playing one of TV's most relentless workaholics – for a campaign encouraging people to prioritise their free time, finish work when they're supposed to and make space for play.
Malibu's Do Whatever Tastes Good campaign, called Clock Off.
In a sharply contrasting turn, the Dundee native is shown roller skating out of the office at 5:01pm in a bright pink suit to enjoy a Malibu Piña Colada on the beach.
The campaign highlights growing concerns about overwork in the US, where a Malibu-commissioned survey found that workers are putting in an average of 15 unpaid extra hours a week—equivalent to nearly eight extra working days per year.
A majority (71 per cent) of Americans reported feeling pressured to work overtime, with one in five feeling outright overworked.
'In some roles I was consumed by work, control and power, and never knew when to clock off,' Cox said. 'But the reality is, we all need to disconnect if we want to enjoy what life has to offer.'
Cox's appearance builds on Malibu's repositioning in recent years as a brand advocating for spontaneity, fun and freedom from routine. Last year, Olympic diver Tom Daley fronted a Malibu campaign promoting 'joyful spontaneity' and encouraging people to embrace their playful side.
Now, Malibu is pivoting that message towards workplace culture, aiming to help consumers reclaim their personal time. The new campaign video presents a colourful escape from 'disguised overtime', with Cox acting as an unlikely advocate for balance and lightness.
'We understand that work is a meaningful part of life,' Craig van Niekerk, Malibu's VP of Marketing, said. 'But it's overwork—not work—that's wearing us down. Our 'Clock Off' message feels more important than ever. In a world that rarely stops, we're reminding everyone to slow down, prioritise joy and make time for what truly matters.'
Cox has also been unveiled as one of the big names coming to the Adam Smith Festival of Ideas in Kirkcaldy this summer - to talk about his new role as the ghost of the Lang Toun's most famous son.
The Emmy award-winning actor is returning to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade for the role which centres on the banking crash of 2008.
It is set for a sold out run at Dundee Rep followed by shows at the Edinburgh International Festival, but Fife audiences will have a one-off chance to hear about it as Cox is joined for an In Conversation event with Arabella Weir at the Adam Smith Theatre on June 7. They will also be introduced by Gordon Brown, who was Prime Minister, and MP for Kirkcaldy, at the time of the crash.
They will chat about Cox's Scottish heritage, his career, and his rise to fame as well as his hotly anticipated role as Smith.
Previous big names have included Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley, Fife born Dougray Scott, and David Tennant.
