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🏆🏆🏆 We're thrilled to announce that we won 3 IPM awards in September! Read more about the projects and awards here. 🏆🏆🏆
To celebrate the season, we’ve asked some of our team to share their all-time favourite Christmas adverts. From the iconic Coca-Cola truck to the cheekiness of KFC’s anti-Christmas spot, join us as we take a trip down memory lane with our team's festive favourites.
Our first festive favourite comes from Laura, Digital Project Manager. ToysRUs released their iconic 'Magical Place' advert in 1989, and for Laura, it became a memorable part of her childhood Christmas excitement. Even today, she can recall the catchy jingle:
This advert is a perfect example of how a simple jingle and playful animation can leave a lasting impression, evoking a sense of nostalgia and joy tied to the holiday season. It’s a reminder of the excitement ToysRUs brought to children, cementing its place as a holiday classic.
For Anil, our Creative Director, Christmas ads don’t always need to follow the traditional festive formula. His favourite is KFC’s humorous take on rejecting the Christmas turkey tradition. In a cheeky twist, the fast-food giant responded to countless social media requests for turkey with a firm ‘no,’ reminding everyone that they’re all about chicken—and that won’t change, no matter the season. The ad’s witty tone and rebellious spirit made it a standout for Anil, proving that sticking to your roots while having fun can sometimes be the best way to celebrate the holidays.
Becky, our Senior Account Manager, is a huge fan of Christmas and still gets excited every year when the classic Coca-Cola truck advert appears. For her, it signals the official start of the festive season. Coca-Cola has reinvented this iconic ad over the years, and the sight of the truck, both on screen and on the road, has become a recognised part of Christmas. It’s hard to imagine the holiday season without it, as Coca-Cola has firmly cemented itself into the nation's Christmas traditions.
Mandeep’s favourite festive ad is Sainsbury’s 2014 retelling of the World War I Christmas truce. The ad masterfully recreates the moment when British and German soldiers set aside their differences on Christmas Day to exchange gifts and enjoy a football game.
For Mandeep, this ad stands out not only for its historical significance but also for its emotional depth. It serves as a reminder of the power of human connection during the holidays, even in the most challenging of circumstances. With proceeds from the accompanying chocolate bar going to the Royal British Legion, the campaign also had a meaningful charitable impact. The ad made quite an impact with many people talking about the ad, we can hardly believe it's been 10 years since this was released.
Every year, John Lewis is a staple in the nation's Christmas traditions as we eagerly await their festive ad to drop each year. Over a decade ago, they began crafting heartfelt Christmas ads, each telling a unique story. For Jen, our Head of Marketing, their first ad in this style, ’The Snowman’, holds a special place as her all-time favourite (matched with the classic Coca-Cola, ‘The Holidays Are Coming’). She appreciates the beautiful animation, enchanting music, and touching narrative. While their storytelling and emotional appeal have captivated audiences, we can’t help but wonder if this formula is becoming a bit repetitive. We’re excited to see what they’ve got up their sleeves for years to come.
As the festive season unfolds, it’s evident that Christmas ads do more than just promote products, they create moments that resonate with us all. Each selection from our team reflects the unique magic of the holidays, whether through heartwarming stories or playful humour. This time of year we get to really see the true power of marketing for brands whilst hitting that all-important emotional connection. These ads remind us of the connections we cherish and the joy of giving. We can’t wait to see how brands continue to innovate and inspire us in the years to come!
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Sources:
Coca-Cola Truck Image: https://www.coca-cola.com/gb/e...
Cover Image - Credit: Photo by Mike Arney on Unsplash
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