Here are our favourite festive ad campaigns…
Way before the coveted John Lewis ads, the joy of Christmas was being used by marketers and advertisers to humour, immerse, and convert. So much so that, now, ad campaigns by the world’s biggest brands are often the most anticipated of the year.
Here, our Managing Creative Director Teresa Sullivan has her say on the standout festive creativity of the last few decades.
1. “Holidays are coming!” – Coca Cola (1995)
Arguably there is no brand as synonymous with Christmas as Coca Cola. Each year their festive ad appeals to the heartwarming traditions of winter; family, food, and togetherness. This one is no different.
The ‘Holidays are coming!’ is an unforgettable jingle – coupled with the deep red festive tones the brand shares with Santa, it’s certainly stood the test of time.
Teresa Sullivan
2. Magic Moments – Quality Street (1992)
With an ear-worm of a theme tune, Quality Street reminded viewers that there are few things more Christmassy than chocolate. Not only did this ad do a great job of separating them from their main competitors – Roses – but it also included a lovely story centred around a hard-working lollipop lady and kind-hearted young boy.
This Quality Street advert made the lollipop lady everybody’s everyday hero.
Teresa Sullivan
3. Kiss under the mistletoe anyone? – Yellow Pages (1992)
A piece of film with such a lasting effect that star of the show Dean Cook – just seven years old at the time of filming in 1992 – said in 2014 that people still recognise him from the ad. You can understand why – it’s simple concept encapsulates the humour and warmth of Christmas perfectly.
The simple ideas really are the best. What do you do if you can’t reach up to have a festive kiss under the mistletoe? Grab your copy of the Yellow Pages of course
Teresa Sullivan
4. Gravy at its finest – OXO (1984)
When starring Actress Lynda Bellingham passed away in 2014, this ad was screened on Christmas Day of that year in tribute. The ad’s setting, including the much loved ‘OXO mum’. seemed to encapsulate the true family warmth of Christmas.
Everyone can relate to the family traditional Sunday roast (which of course, involves gravy – not too runny!)
Teresa Sullivan
5. Monty the Penguin – John Lewis (2014)
Accumulating a whopping 1.8 million YouTube views on release day, John Lewis’ 2014 Christmas ad tells the story of a friendship between a boy and his toy penguin. A perfect reminder that you can’t go wrong with simple, emotive storytelling at Christmas.
John Lewis has become a Christmas tradition and institution since their first ad in 2007, but in 2014 everybody wanted to adopt (and cleverly buy) Monty the lonely penguin.
Teresa Sullivan