Holiday Marketing: Our List of the Best Campaigns
The clock strikes midnight on November 1. The opening bells to “All I Want for Christmas” sing through the air. Hints of red and green sprinkle the streets. Lights twinkle a little brighter. Smiles grow a little bigger. Just like clockwork, marketers begin pushing holiday campaigns before we’ve even had a chance to finish our pumpkin spice lattes. Ah - tis the season.
Marketers have an entire year to plan for the holidays. Some do it up big while others never seem to hit the mark. Let’s review our favorite holiday campaigns of years past:
1. Starbucks Holiday Cups
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My, oh, my - is there anything quite like the reveal of the holiday cups at Starbucks? The rush of getting your first peppermint mocha of the season? No, no there isn't. Every year, Starbucks shows up and shows out. Sometimes causing controversy (hello, red cup of 2015), but mostly inciting pure joy. Every year we all wait with baited breath for the big holiday cup reveal. Bravo, Starbs.
2. Office Depot’s “Elf Yourself”
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We’ve all been elfed a time or two thanks to Office Depot’s “Elf Yourself.” Since 2006, the brand has created over 1 billion elves and has gone from a desktop webpage, to an app, and most recently featured augmented reality. Stay tuned for Indie’s team of elves coming next month.
3. Google’s Santa Tracker
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Have you ever tracked Santa using Google’s Santa Tracker? The answer is most likely yes. What started as a tool to promote Google Earth in 2004 now promotes Google’s map features in a fun and interactive way that reaches all audiences, spanning from children to adults. The tracker offers live updates directly from the sleigh as Santa reaches different cities around the world.
4. Coca-Cola & Santa Claus
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Has the holiday season even started until you’ve heard this familiar jingle play through your TV? With its “Holidays Are Coming” campaign, Coca-Cola dominates the market each year with the use of nostalgia and tried-and-true concepts. Although the company innovates each year to remain relevant, it has kept its core message clear and consistent. What else says Christmas quite like seeing Santa Claus holding an ice-cold Coca-Cola?
5. Macy’s & Make-A-Wish
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“Wishes Across America” ties in tradition and charity as Macy’s partners with the Make-A-Wish Foundation each Christmas. On Macy’s homepage, you’ll find a Christmas countdown and an option to write a letter to Santa (email or handwritten). With each letter written, Macy’s donates $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The company has donated over $2 million over the past few years, proving there really is a reason for the season.
