SCREENVOICE TOP 12 CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGNS 2023

15. 12. 2023 The year has come and gone, and famous and lesser-known brands have come out with their long-awaited Christmas campaigns, which unmistakably draw us into the pre-Christmas spirit and put us in the mood for a genuine festive atmosphere.

ADS CAN STRESS PEOPLE OUT, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS. HERE’S HOW BRANDS CAN CHANGE THAT.

13. 12. 2023 If you feel your nerves tighten a bit when you hear the sound of holiday bells jingling in a TV ad, you’re not alone. According to Healthline, 62% of Americans describe their stress levels as “very elevated” or “somewhat elevated” during the holiday season – and only 10% say it’s a stress-free time of year for them. Another survey, conveniently conducted by a heartburn medication brand, found similarly that the percentage of Americans who say the holidays stress them out is 88%.

SMARTER ADVERTISING CHOICES: ITV’S AUTOMATED CONTEXTUAL TARGETING TOOL

12. 12. 2023 In a captivating presentation at the Future of TV Advertising Global in London on December 5, ITV and Captify showcased their innovative approach to advertising by focusing on consumer emotions. The presentation, titled “Leveraging data and moments that shift consumer intent,” delved into the intricacies of targeting TV ads based on consumer search intent, unveiling new opportunities in contextual TV reveals, and providing insights into the future of data-powered TV.

COCA-COLA CHERISHES ITS SANTA CLAUS. HOW DID ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MARKETING “ALLIANCES” IN HISTORY TAKE SHAPE?

11. 12. 2023 Although Christmas in the Czech republic is mainly associated with the Christ child, it is not possible to ignore the global popularity of the american Father Christmas, Santa Claus. And in fact, if we take into account the historical context of shaping the image of this character, we are much closer to Santa in our culture than we are often willing to admit. But the legend of Santa Claus is first and foremost a real modern Christmas story in which the marketing of a global soft drinks company played a huge role. And although it is often said that Santa exists because of Coca-Cola, this is not entirely true. But the combination of these two unlikely allies has become so ingrained in the social consciousness over many decades that it is very hard to think of one without the other. But it hasn’t always been this way...

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: THE MOST TOUCHING ADS

10. 12. 2023 Tears welling up is nothing unusual during the holiday season. Alongside festive decorations and omnipresent holiday music, the tender mood can also be attributed to a heightened sense of togetherness we experience during Advent and Christmas. More than ever, we think about those we have lost and those in need of our help. That’s why advertisements built around touching stories often strike a deep chord with us. Which Christmas ads have hit the most emotional notes this year and in past years?

BRANDS TO SPEND RECORD £9.5BN ON CHRISTMAS ADVERTISING

9. 12. 2023 Media inflation set to lift ad spend by 4.8% this Christmas, according to Advertising Association and Warc data.

CONSUMERS DON’T GET TIRED OF ADS, ONLY MARKETERS DO

8. 12. 2023 Data shows there’s no such thing as advertising ‘wear-out’, so save your new campaign budget and spend it on making your current ads effective for longer.

CHRISTMAS BY “UNUSUAL” HEROES. HOW HAS CHRISTMAS ADVERTISING MOVED FROM NOSTALGIA TO MODERNITY?

8. 12. 2023 Christmas advertising has changed over the years. To some extent, it could be argued that the dominance of Santa Claus and other traditional Christmas characters has ended. They have been replaced by somewhat unusual heroes who, on the contrary, we do not a priori associate with the festive season. However, they do not only bring a festive atmosphere but also complex stories in which tradition as well as important messages that are fully in line with the trends of today play a role. It is not necessarily a stolen Christmas - on the contrary, it is an annual gift of distinctive creativity. CHRISTMAS BY CHEERFUL VEGETABLES One of such “unusual heroes” is the most frequently mentioned mascot of this year’s Christmas season, which is in the spirit of the comeback of the character known as Kevin the Carrot. The character has been closely associated with the British-Irish retail chain Aldi since 2016, and given that Kevin is essentially an animated carrot, this is a very telling example of how the Christmas advertising market is shifting from the familiar and traditional to the more experimental.

TOOLKIT: MARKETERS GEAR UP FOR A BRIGHTER 2024

7. 12. 2023 Despite very real concerns about the economy, the majority of marketers around the world are optimistic and expect business to be better next year than this, according to a new WARC report. The Voice of the Marketer 2024 is a deep dive into The Marketer’s Toolkit survey data of 1,400+ marketers worldwide. Key findings Marketers are optimistic despite economic worries Two-thirds (64%) of marketers indicated that economic recession will have the biggest impact on marketing strategies in 2024, while 41% highlighted inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

DON’T SHELVE THAT CHRISTMAS IDEA TOO SOON, STUDIES SUGGEST

6. 12. 2023 A growing body of evidence indicates that ideas and advertisements enjoy a much longer shelf life than many have assumed, with vintage favourites like Coca-Cola’s Holidays Are Coming and Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot outperforming the market – so it may be time to rethink how to approach Christmas. Why wear-out matters There is no evidence to suggest that ads become less effective as they age, but it may feel like they do, especially when as a brand or an agency professional you are watching the same piece of creative for the millionth time by mid-October.

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: THE MOST FELINE-FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS ADS

4. 12. 2023 A Christmas ad must be emotional. An overly commercial approach during the holiday season can backfire for marketers. Each brand approaches the task of bringing emotions into its Christmas campaigns in its own way. Best practices include children, touching stories and, of course, animals. While one might expect exclusively cuddly puppies, frosty little birds, or adorable bears in Christmas ads, many feature cats as the main characters. Why is that, do you think?

BVOD SHOULD BE FIRST ON THE PLAN

3. 12. 2023 Thinkbox’s Matt Hill questions ViewersLogic’s interpretation of BVOD’s impact – pointing out that basing planning decisions on viewing time alone is a flawed approach. Quality is crucial.

JOHN LEWIS’ 2023 CHRISTMAS AD: NEW AGENCY, NEW TRADITIONS

1. 12. 2023 The first Christmas campaign for John Lewis created by Saatchi & Saatchi delivers a new message about adapting to change.

STUDY UK: FOCUS ON ATTENTION, CREATIVE AND SPEED IN ADVERTS

30. 11. 2023 Attention, creativity and speed are the three most important factors driving brand return on investment, according to an advertising effectiveness study.

LET’S KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED, IT’S A STRANGE TIME, SAYS PRIMA GROUP’S CCO, VLADIMÍR POŘÍZEK

30. 11. 2023 Despite the global crises and mixed expectations, the advertising market grew moderately in 2023 in all media types, says Vladimir Pořízek, Prima group’s CCO. He also talks about how the warm autumn weather has affected the number of viewers in front of their screens or why tv stations have to increase the price of advertising.

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: THE BEST IN CHRISTMAS ADS OR THE MAGICAL ELIXIR OF FESTIVE EMOTIONS

27. 11. 2023 The Christmas atmosphere is unique and irresistible, deeply tied to powerful emotions. People are eager to open their hearts - and wallets -while searching for the most beautiful gifts for their loved ones. Companies that strike an emotional chord through their Christmas campaigns have wide-open doors to viewers and thus, potential customers. Our Christmas series of articles will explore various highlights and “bests” of Christmas TV ads.

HBBTV HAS A FUTURE. ITS BENEFITS ARE APPRECIATED BY VIEWERS AND ADVERTISERS ALIKE

27. 11. 2023 More than 20 years have passed since the birth of HbbTV. This technology combining broadcast TV and internet services has opened up a new world for viewers and advertisers, one that continues to evolve and improve. The interactivity that hybrid broadcasting technology puts in the hands of people in front of TV screens has elevated the possibilities of TV advertising to a higher level.

RMB’S SLICE: WHERE INNOVATION AND EXPLORATION FUEL THE NEXT-LEVEL BRANDED CONTENT

20. 11. 2023 RMB, the Belgian media sales house, is dedicated to transforming its business to make it more resilient with a focus on innovation, exploration, and sustainability. Nevertheless, they feel under pressure from the new players in the market. As a result, in 2022, as an addition to the creative solutions unit launched in 2018 known as Flash, RMB decided to develop a new brand named Slice. This new department serves as a nexus, bringing together brands and content creators such as streamers streamers, YouTubers, gamers, etc. Jointly, they develop next-level branded content for clients. About Slice Officially inaugurated in March 2023, Slice represents an ecosystem that brings together brands and young Belgian content creators. Equipped studios, strategically placed within RMB’s offices, include a lounge room, an audio room, a beauty room, a green room, and a gaming room, expediting the production process. RMB contributes its client relationships and expertise as a sales house. The objective is to facilitate connections between advertisers and innovative Belgian content creators, fostering exceptional long-term collaborations based on shared values and authenticity.