The festive season is here once again, and, similar to last year, brands are getting their seasonal spots out early. They are all competing for attention in unique ways, be it pulling on the heartstrings or making viewers laugh.
Among the ads, you will see a few famous faces, including notorious Christmas crooner Michael Bublé in the latest Asda teaser. We’re sure he won’t be the only celebrity in this year’s offerings.
Plus, John Lewis has drummed up more excitement than ever this year as Saatchi & Saatchi prepares its debut ad for the retailer. After a partnership of 14 years, the shop parted ways with creative agency Adam&EveDDB at the start of this year.
We’ll have all the best ads right here for you. Here’s what brands have released so far.
Coca-Cola: The World Needs More Santas by WPP Open X led by VMLY&R, Ogilvy and Essence Mediacom
Coke leaned on its heritage this year to create Santa-laden ad.
We caught up with it's global head of creative strategy to hear how the soda brand thinks there’s a little Father Christmas in all of us. Read the interview here.
Morrisons: More of The Winning Feeling by Leo Burnett
Hosts and their oven gloves are the unsung heroes of Christmas. Morrisons’ Christmas ad celebrates their hard work in a humble spot that tries not to 'glamorize’ Christmas. Read our interview with the creative team here.
Lidl: A Magical Christmas by The Romans
Supermarket chain Lidl wants to remind people of the small gestures that can make a huge difference this Winter.
TK Maxx: Festive Farm by Wieden+Kennedy London
Waitrose: Nemohu se nabažit (agentura Saatchi & Saatchi)
Waitrose is to inject more humor and fun into its advertising in the coming year and has used its Christmas advert as a springboard for this new creative direction.
The spot takes place at a fun, kid-free festive party and has a cameo from Eurovision host Grahame Norton.
Sports Direct: Dream Big by Mox London
Sports Direct is the latest brand to release its Christmas ad and, similar to last year, there’s a whole host of recognizable faces making an appearance, but it’s the positive message behind the campaign that the Fraser Group-owned brand wants people to remember. Read our interview with its chief marketing officer here.
Shelter: BGood As Gold by Don't Panic
In the UK, figures show that 131,000 children are in temporary accommodation this Christmas - an increase of 10,000 since last year.
To highlight this, housing and homelessness charity Shelter has released a poignant festive ad that brings these numbers to life.
M&S: Love Thismas (Not Thatmas) by Mother
M&S has taken a star-studded approach for its 2023 Christmas campaign, tapping Queer Eye’s Tan France, actors Hannah Waddingham and Zawe Ashton, plus singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Asda: Pop The Bublé by Havas
Supermarket chain Asda released a snippet of its Christmas ad during ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
In the clip, viewers see three employees relaxing in a break room mid-shift until they’re disturbed by an unusual ‘gurgling’ sound as the clock ticks to midnight. As they make their way through a festive warehouse to find its source, they eventually reach a door marked ‘MB inside. Do not open ‘til 1.11.23.’
Argos: This Christmas, There’s More To Argos
Toys Connie and Trevor have returned to screens this Christmas in Argos’s festive campaign.
In the spot, Connie puts on an epic show, strutting past toys as she struggles to contain her excitement in anticipation of the big day.
Dobbies: Find Your Christmust by Elvis
This short spot for Dobbies features multiple vignettes of people finding their ‘Christmust’ at the garden center chain, highlighting the incredible feeling that finding that specific thing gives you.
Etsy: Your Mission by Orchard
Etsy’s holiday campaign harnesses the insight that the best gifts come from personal observations – maybe even a bit of sleuthing – about the people you’re buying for.
Freemans: Made You Look by MullenLowe
Digital department store Freemans launched its Christmas ad earlier than any full festive campaign in its 118-year history.
For the first time, out-of-home activity will be trialed regionally, as well as extensive digital campaign amplification through all owned channels and significant investment in paid channels, including YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Peroni: Living Every Moment by Unbound
Directed by British Bafta-winning director Tom Green, Peroni's Christmas offering follows Nino as he shovels a pathway through the snow in his hometown Torino, which allows the community to join him for a beer.
Not On The High Street: Don’t Gift Landfill by Uncommon London, Hearts & Science, Grand Visual and Talon
Not On The High Street rolled out billboards highlighting the landfill issue caused by bad Christmas gifting.
Homesense: There’s No Place Like Homesense (except TK Maxx) by Wieden+Kennedy London
Homesense’s Christmas campaign capitalizes on its famous sibling brand, TK Maxx, to bring in shoppers this festive period.
Source: thedrum.com
