Being the marketers that we are at Vizulate, we thought it would be a great idea to give an in-depth marketing analysis of the best Christmas ads this festive season has to offer.
We’ll be talking through our favourite ads this year, and why we love them so much.
Scott, Director of Operations & Marketing
“For the pure entertainment and feel-good factor, my favourite Christmas ad of 2018 is… Sainsbury’s The Big Night!
“This was actually directed by Michael Gracey, who also directed the epic musical The Greatest Showman. The choice of music for this ad is genius (New Radicals – You Get What You Give) and particularly nostalgic for myself. Though not a traditional Christmas song it is actually a perfect fit.
“I also like the fact that the kids are the stars of the show (as they should be at Christmas). I’d be the first one marching down to the school to kick off if my daughter came home and said ‘Mummy, Daddy, in the Christmas production this year I’m going to be a plug., but actually the kid dressed as a plug steals the show as he jumps headfirst into the socket to power on the Christmas tree lights. I Love it!”
Ryan, Creative Director
“My favourite Christmas ad this year is the ‘Don’t forget the Duracell this Christmas’. Apparently the ad is two years old but it’s showing on UK TV for the first time this year.
“The plot is that the Duracell Bunny follows Santa into people’s house to supply the batteries that are required for all the kids’ toys. The story implies that the bunny has the hardest job – opening the presents, putting in the batteries, then wrapping the presents up again before leaving the house. Unlike Santa who strolls in, puts the presents down, has a cookie and moves on.
“This is my favourite Christmas ad because the animation is great, and I loved how they portray Santa to be creepy or weird. He reminds me of something out of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ the way he scuttles along the roof, his creepy grin as he sees the tree and the crab-like action as he puts the presents down.
“Overall it’s a great concept and with all the tech likely to be on people’s lists this year you’re bound to get something that requires batteries… so ‘don’t forget the Duracell this Christmas. ”
Mollie, Digital Marketing Business Administrator
“When it comes to Christmas ads, I love it when they really make me feel something, and I love them even more when they make me cry. Because when I cry, I know it’s really struck a chord with me, and that the message of the ad has really resonated with me in some way.
“And on that note, my favourite Christmas ad of 2018 is… John Lewis’ #EltonJohnLewis.
“This year’s John Lewis ad story is about the power of a gift. And how that gift changed and influenced the course of a little boy’s life, who just so happens to be Elton John. The ad begins in present day and works backwards chronologically throughout Elton’s life, right up until the moment on Christmas morning when he receives the special gift that changed his life.
“The message is, “Some gifts are more than just gifts”. I love this because I think more and more people are beginning to take the view that Christmas ‘isn’t what it used to be’, and the true meaning of Christmas is getting lost in all the commercialisation, and that it’s ‘just about the presents’.
“And I feel that this ad perfectly reflects how I feel about gifts. I think gifts, however big or small, always make the person getting the gift feel something. I think when you are giving a gift, you’re giving the gift of either love, happiness, inspiration, education, warmth, or laughter. When you give someone a gift, you’re giving them more than just ‘things’ or ‘stuff’, you’re giving them true joy. And I think to make someone feel these things is the best feeling in the world.
“It’s safe to say that this ad made me cry, a lot.”