Our Top 5 Holiday Ads for 2016

The past few times I visited the Martin Communications blog, I encouraged all of you lovely readers to join me in gently poking fun at Scott Hoy and other bad ads, so that together, we could learn from their mistakes. As we wrap the year up, however, I wanted to do something a little different.

Holiday ads are some of my absolute favorites. This time of year, companies are willing to dole out big bucks to create ads that capture the attention of the Christmas-minded. The ads bring a whole new level of creative. They’re often whimsical and appeal to our child-like sense of wonder. They’re typically lightly branded and are more about creating a feeling than pushing a product. I love the time period from Thanksgiving to the New Year when we get our fill of this bite-size stories. Here are five of our favorite ads from the 2016 Holiday Season.

  1. Do you See What I See? – Meijer

Meijer is a grocery store chain in the mid-west. While most grocery store chains in the states are running ads touting their specials for holiday meals and the like, Meijer stepped outside typical marketing norms and created this fun ad that follows a man who looks an awful lot like Santa.

It’s fun, it’s sweet, and it’s playful. The Meijer brand makes appearances throughout but isn’t the main focus.

  1. Time Machine – Milka

This is an incredibly unpopular opinion to have in central PA with the Big H in town, but Milka is my favorite chocolate bar. It’s creamy and delicious. Buy me a Milka advent calendar and we’re going to be very close friends, for at least 25 days.

This new ad capitalizes on that feeling of anticipation that we get as Christmas approaches. The young boy in this ad funnels all of his ingenuity and creative power into one purpose: creating a time machine that will get him through December and right to Christmas Eve. It’s every child’s dream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNv2dTu-pAk

  1. Frankie’s Holiday – Apple 

I’ll admit this much—I’m an Apple-holic. I didn’t just drink the Kool-Aid, I’ll mix it up and serve to anyone who is thirsty. I love how everything works together and I’ve completely bought into their environment. That said, their ads haven’t done much for me recently. Then comes Frankie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFPcsYGriEs

The vaguely Grinchian story of Frankenstein’s monster, who just wants to connect with other people during the holidays, is sad, personal, and cute in all the right ways. When the little girl joins him in his lonely song, inspiring the crowd to join in and making the tune cheerful and warm, it’s enough to make your heart grow three sizes.

  1. In-Laws – Chatbooks

Here’s where I break the mold a little bit with my favorite ads this year. I’m a Christmas fiend. The day after Thanksgiving I break out the decorations and deck the halls. In our Shiremanstown office, my officemate Jodi and I are the reigning holiday decorating contest champions, and we have a full-size Christmas tree and giant inflatable penguin to attest to our commitment to holiday cheer. My favorite movie of all time—not my favorite Christmas movie but favorite movie period—is A Christmas Story.

With all that said, with each new Christmas, it feels like there’s a little more to do. More gifts, more parties, more food. As such, it can be hard to take a breather and actually enjoy yourself. The mom in this ad from Chatbooks knows that feeling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_R2KYAiuyY

  1. English – Allegro

Allegro is a Polish e-commerce company, and they have created what is, perhaps, my favorite Christmas ad of all time. No set up for this one—I don’t want to ruin it for you. Just keep a box of tissues nearby.

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So there you have it. A completely subjective but hopefully still enjoyable list of some of our favorite holiday ads from this season. We hope you have a fun, loving, and safe holiday season—don’t shoot your eye out kid! From the Martin Communications family to yours, Happy Holidays!

About the Author:

Bryan Aungst believes that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear. He very well may be in the line of succession for the role of Santa Claus when the current head elf retires.

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