‘Tis the season for roasted turkey, mince pies and of course, hoards of Christmas ads that will be blessing our screens over the upcoming weeks.
And with the very first adverts being aired in early November, Christmas really has come early this year.
To celebrate our joint love of Christmas and advertising, we’ve decided to do our annual pick of the very best the industry has to offer. From John Lewis’ long-awaited Buster the bouncing dog, to Burberry’s cinematic and brilliantly romantic tale of Thomas Burberry, we’ve listed four of the very best. So take a look, have a think and let’s see which of these is at the top of your list.
Amazon’s Faith
This year, Amazon UK have released a slightly different take on a Christmas ad, by bringing together two faiths: Christianity and Islam. The story follows two friends, who just so happen to be a vicar and a imam. Though their faiths are different, they share many things in common, including sore knees from their religious duties! Using the Amazon app, they both purchase shin pads for each other and have it delivered to each other’s homes.
Targeting Black Friday shoppers, and those preparing for Christmas, this ad is a poignant and impactful way of highlighting not only the expansive range of products Amazon house, but also the true message behind Christmas: generosity and selflessness. We loved it here in the Rawww office, and can only hope that all brands take such a refreshing approach to their festive advertising.
John Lewis & Buster
Ditching their usual heart wrenching approach, John Lewis have created a light-hearted and entertaining Christmas ad that is more likely to make you laugh than cry. The ad follows the journey of Buster the boxer dog who, after watching a menagerie of animals leaping all over his owner’s brand new trampoline, just can’t wait to start bouncing on it.
The lead up to the ad was probably more epic than the event itself, with news outlets and social media alive with discussions on when the advert would be released. There was even a small mix-up involving an A-Level student’s coursework – which you might have read about (it was everywhere!). And when it finally graced our screens, the hashtag #BusterTheBoxer immediately became a top trending topic on Twitter – yikes.
The buzz surrounding John Lewis’s ad is proof of the influence and impact the brand has, with the likes of Aldi incorporating John Lewis’ Christmas into their own adverts. In fact, it’s almost like tea or the monarchy – it’s a British institution!
Burberry
Directed by Academy Award-winner Asif Kapadia and starring British actors Domhnall Gleeson, Sienna Miller, Dominic West and Lily James, you’d be forgiven for thinking this Burberry advert is a trailer for a feature-length film. Complete with stunning special effects and breathtaking cinematography, this Christmas ad depicts a dramatised version of Thomas Burberry’s ascent to luxury tailoring.
Admittedly, in terms of attention, Burberry has received less press recognition than John Lewis, but with a lot more budget behind it, it really does echo the luxury and extravagance of the brand’s identity. And even when compared with other similar brands, such as Mulberry, it really does stand out against its luxury competitors. We wonder what they have in store for the new year.
Temptations Cat Treats
Have you heard of Dreamies? They’re the irresistable cat treat that has cats flying through walls just to sample the delights of these delicious treats. Well here’s the US version of the brand, and their Christmas advert offers viewers a completely refreshing approach to festive world of advertising.
In the ad, a beautiful Christmas tree is seen glittering and surrounded by gifts, but also several cat flaps. Then a siren sounds, and cats come flying in from every angle, clambering onto the tree and destroying everything in their path. Proving the power of the brand, only when the shake of a Temptations bag can be heard do the cats stop attacking the festive scene.
Many cat owners will be familiar with the tree-destroying, festive-catastrophes that cats often inflict on their families over the Christmas period, so this ad really hits home. It’s funny, smart and still carries the same Temptations message as ever: they’re the treats cats crave!
Feeling inspired by these Christmassy ads? Why not brainstorm some ideas with your team, and work out how you can make your brand stand out during the festive season.
