Congrats, you’ve survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Naturally, this can only mean that the holiday season is upon us once again. As a result, it’s time to prepare for your holiday marketing campaigns.
This season offers a lot of opportunities for all businesses, big and small. If you can grab consumers’ attention with a unique holiday marketing campaign, you’ll be well on your way to pulling in additional revenue. A smart place to start is to look at what has worked for other brands and then use their campaigns as inspiration for your own marketing efforts.
In this article, we’ll look back at some of our favorite marketing campaign ideas from seasons past. We’ll discuss their history, why they were so successful, and how you can incorporate them into your holiday marketing strategy. So let’s jump right in!
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18 of the Best Holiday Marketing Campaigns
1. “Santa Tracker” by Google
We’re going to start with a true classic of online holiday marketing: Google’s Santa Tracker has been going strong since 2004. During this time, it has enabled users to follow Santa Claus on his worldwide gift-giving journey every Christmas.
The Santa Tracker campaign initially started as a simple way to visualize Santa’s journey via Google Earth (or Keyhole Earth Viewer, as it was called then). However, it has since evolved in numerous ways. For instance, the site has expanded to show information about the cities Santa visits, offer “live updates” directly from the sleigh, and much more.
With Santa Tracker, Google manages to market its map service in a fun and interactive way. The key lesson to take away from this marketing campaign is that it works across multiple audience segments, appealing equally to young children and adults. In addition, by combining mythology and technology in a quirky way, Google managed to create a new spin on an age-old story and make its brand synonymous with the tradition itself at the same time.
Related: Make Your Website Merry and Bright with These 10 Holiday Marketing Ideas
2. “Elf Yourself” by Office Depot
Next up, this is another interactive and playful campaign that appeals to kids and adults alike. Elf Yourself is a recurring campaign by Office Depot, which lets users create elves based on pictures of themselves (or other people). Since 2006, users have created over one billion elves using the site and app.
In recent years, the Elf Yourself app has been updated with new features, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and the ability to print your elf as a seasonal greeting card. Users can also share their creations on social media, along with the marketing hashtag #ElfYourself.
This is an example of how a holiday campaign can be used to grow brand awareness rather than explicitly aiming to increase conversions or sales. By providing something fun and engaging for your users to play with, you can get the word out about your business without overtly promoting your products or services.
3. “Home Alone, Again” by Google
Nostalgia can be an excellent driver of shareable content. That’s what Google’s 2018 advertisement “Home Alone Again” took advantage of. The video, featuring a grown-up Macauly Culkin, tapped into a wealth of holiday feelings. Created by the Arts & Letters firm and directed by Mike Warzin via Arts & Sciences, the short video also features all the best of Google Assistant.
The video’s scenes and overall general feeling are designed to be transportive for anyone who grew up watching the Home Alone films as a holiday staple. Google Assistant starts off by reminding “Kevin” that he finally has the house to himself for the day and organically showcases its smart home options when the bad guys enter the picture.
This ad taps into a piece of media that many generations have enjoyed. The original movie debuted in 1990, meaning the ad will likely hit home with audiences ranging from baby boomers to millennials. Wrapping your ads around something very nostalgic to your audience is a marketing approach that can have shareable appeal across platforms and generations.
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4. “Nueva normalidad, Nueva Navidad” By KFC
We all know Santa Claus is a traditional part of the holidays in most countries, and he couldn’t miss making an appearance in this 2020 KFC commercial, “New Normal, New Christmas.”
After more than a year of the pandemic, quarantines, sanitizer, masks, and lots more, Colonel Sanders and his team decided to try a comedic approach to Santa’s arrival — featuring all the recently introduced aspects of our new normal.
Sure, using COVID-19 as leverage feels a bit overused. Nonetheless, this commercial’s creative team nailed it, integrating two familiar themes for its audience: the arrival of an outside party to our homes during the holiday season and the biosecurity protocols involved in that event.
Furthermore, when using global topics like this one, you have better chances of reaching a wider audience, including people you may not have considered a target before.
5. “The Holiday Odyssey” by Target
In a sense, every holiday season is a journey. At least, it is if you believe Target and its 2015 campaign “The Holiday Odyssey.” This campaign’s most visible element was a series of short video clips, including cameos from the Minions, Barbie, Star Wars characters, and even Neil Patrick Harris.
However, these storytelling videos only represented one aspect of the campaign, which also used multiple marketing channels. As well as a dedicated website and promotion across its social media platforms, Target also took the “Odyssey” into its physical stores. By doing this, Target managed to create a complete synergy across multiple platforms, something that’s ideal for businesses with a broad audience.
This is naturally difficult to do if you don’t have the reach and budget of a major corporation. Still, it does highlight the importance of leveraging multiple channels in your own marketing.
Sure, you might not be able to afford to feature NPH in your ads. However, you can still use your online presence and physical stores in conjunction to create an all-encompassing campaign that appeals equally to the various segments of your audience.
6. “Nick Offerman’s Yule Log” by Lagavulin
Watching a man silently drink whiskey next to a crackling fireplace for 45 minutes might not sound very appealing at first. However, if that man is actor and comedian Nick Offerman, you’ve got a viral marketing sensation on your hands.
That’s what Lagavulin did when it hired Offerman to create a parody of the “classic” yule log videos that were popular in 2015 (and still are). Since then, the original video has been watched over 3 million times. Thanks to popular demand, Lagavulin has even put out an extended 10-hour version.
This campaign is a masterclass in how to use a video to create a conversation starter. First, it’s a perfect fit with Offerman’s existing public persona and ties into his most famous role as Ron Swanson on Parks & Recreation, a character who famously loved Lagavulin.
However, it’s also an eminently shareable clip in its own right. It’s fun, attention-grabbing, and actually works quite well as a non-ironic yule log video. Considering the minimal resources required to pull this off, it’s a perfect example of how a simple idea can have a huge payoff if it connects with your audience.
Related: How to Get Started with Influencer Marketing
7. “Red Cups” by Starbucks
In a previous article, we discussed Starbucks’ penchant for brand management on its official company blog. To no one’s surprise, it turns out that the company is just as proficient at promoting its brand during the holiday season. You’ve most likely seen its iconic holiday cup designs yourself — they were introduced all the way back in 1997.
Since then, the company has featured new festive designs every year. Somewhat infamously, these cups were a point of controversy in 2015, when a plain red variety was accused of not being “Christmassy” enough. Despite this setback, the reusable red cup design has become iconic, to the point where independent websites have sprung up that feature a countdown to its annual re-release.
The lesson here is that a stylish and cohesive brand identity can be an extremely powerful tool. This campaign also shows that it’s possible to create unique traditions tied to your brand, then encourage your audience to look forward to them each year.
8. “#OptOutside” by REI
Black Friday is widely regarded as the beginning of the holiday shopping season and one of the busiest retail days around the world. Considering this fact, it was especially noteworthy when the outdoor retailer REI announced that it would not participate in the Black Friday rush of 2015 and would keep all its stores closed for the entire day.
This was the start of the #OptOutside campaign, which has become a recurring event ever since. The goal was to get employees and customers to spend Black Friday enjoying the outdoors rather than shopping. After the initial success, the company has expanded the event to include a search engine that lets users worldwide share their outdoor experiences using the campaign’s hashtag.
Not only is #OptOutside a terrific example of a company making a statement about the holidays, but it’s also perfectly in line with its brand identity. After all, REI sells outdoor equipment, so it makes sense to encourage people to participate in outside activities even during the winter. This goes to show that you can start a meaningful conversation while also bringing attention to what your business does best.
Related: The Website Owner’s Guide to Email Campaigns
9. “El Tiempo Que Nos Queda” by Ruavieja
For many of us, the holidays are about sharing time with the important people in our lives. Typically we assume we’ll be able to spend time together next Christmas, at a birthday, or any other kind of upcoming celebration. But have you ever stopped to think about how long you really have with each one of them?
In this campaign, called “El Tiempo Que Nos Queda” (“The Time We Have Left”) from the brand Ruavieja, interviews are conducted with different people — each one designed to touch every sensitive fiber of your being. This brand, along with its hashtag #TenemosQueVernosMás (#WeHaveToSeeEachOtherMore), calculates the actual time each of the participants will spend with their loved ones and features an unpleasant surprise once the results are revealed.
This is definitely a successful marketing campaign because the brand guarantees it will tug at the heartstrings of its potential audience. It also focuses not just on traditional nuclear families spending the holidays together but also on those friends who have become our family. (Go ahead and grab a box of tissues, we’ll wait *sniff*).
Related: The Website Owner’s Guide to Email Campaigns
10. “Misunderstood” by Apple
Whether it’s spending time with family and loved ones or remembering past holidays, the festive season is steeped in sentimentality. Many businesses take advantage of this in their campaigns, and perhaps the best example is Apple’s short film, Misunderstood.
The clip shows a young boy appearing to avoid spending time with his family during the holidays. However, at the end (spoilers!), it’s revealed that he was actually busy creating a heartwarming montage of family moments the whole time. The clip was positively received by many viewers and even went on to win an Emmy.
With this clip, Apple managed to insert its product into the sentimentality of the season in two clever ways. First, the film subverts the idea that phones are only used to avoid time with your family, while also demonstrating the actual capabilities of the latest iPhone at the same time. This is a “show, don’t tell” approach to marketing a specific product that can be difficult to pull off but very effective when done well.
11. “#NZSecretSanta” By New Zealand Post
If you’re not familiar with the concept, Secret Santa is a tradition where a group of people comes together to buy one gift for each person — everybody buys and gets a gift. However, each recipient is entirely unaware of their gift-giver, which creates a fun sense of mystery.
With its #NZSecretSanta event, the New Zealand Post aimed to blow this game up to a national level. Started in 2010 by Sam Elton-Waters, the initiative was a huge success — even the country’s prime minister took part! As the yearly event grew in scope, the New Zealand Post stepped in to help organize the gift-giving.
Not only is this a heartwarming tradition, but it’s also a great example of how you can engage people using social media campaigns. An event that encourages people to have fun together, be thoughtful, and even give to charity helps to encourage participation and positive feelings towards your business.
12. “Come Together” by H&M
At this point, we’ve already mentioned the benefits of using video marketing to your advantage during the holidays. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t also bring up H&M’s impressive “Come Together” campaign.
This short film is directed by Wes Anderson and features Adrien Brody as a conductor on a train that gets caught in a snowstorm. Since they’re stuck in place, the conductor and passengers decide to throw a Christmas party together. Shot in the filmmaker’s trademark style, the video is quirky and heartwarming. It also aligns the brand with Anderson’s sense of fashion and whimsy.
This is yet another way to create a talking point, even if you don’t have any Academy Award-winning actors at your disposal. You can still use your brand videos to create a unique signature and style. Having a recognizable style is crucial during the busy holiday season and is especially important for brands aimed at a modern, trend-conscious audience.
13. “Believe” by Macy’s
Think fast: What are the two most essential parts of Christmastime? If you answered “stuffing your face with food” and “decorating the tree,” we can’t blame you. However, we were specifically thinking of charity and gift-giving.
Charity is an especially significant part of the holiday spirit, and it’s something Macy’s has made a cornerstone of its “Believe” campaign. This campaign revolves around a site where users can write Santa letters with their Christmas wishes. Macy’s donates $1 to the Make-a-Wish foundation for every letter posted.
Not only does this charitable element align perfectly with the giving season, but it also encourages visitors and customers to engage with the brand directly. This type of initiative lets you do a charitable deed while also expressing your brand identity in a fun and memorable way.
Related: How to Prepare Your Website for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
14. “El Elevador”, by Nestlé
Up next is “El Elevador” (“The Elevator”) from globally recognized brand, Nestlé, competing in the Brazilian market (one of the largest advertising markets in Latin America). In this holly jolly ad, a girl presses different buttons on an elevator, finding a surprise on each floor. Lastly, she finds her loved ones on the floor symbolized by a heart.
The warm filter photography of this production highlights the feeling of spending the holidays with the people that matter most to you. It’s a great use of color psychology that can be used not only to evoke those typical holiday warm-and-fuzzies but in certain scenarios can elicit other feelings like joy and tranquility, depending on the palette you choose.
15. “Holiday Gift Guides” by Etsy
Most of the campaigns we’ve looked at have avoided being directly commercial in nature. Instead, many businesses choose to use the holiday season to manage and increase awareness of their brands rather than actively pushing their products.
However, Etsy manages to go another way while also providing useful content for its users. Instead of a big marketing push, this e-commerce site produces annual “Gift Guides.” These guides help holiday shoppers find the perfect presents to buy based on different categories and styles.
This is a creative way to drive additional sales while still sticking with a holiday theme. It also helps funnel customers more effectively towards the products they’ll prefer. In fact, Etsy actually provides similar guides all year round, such as the Finds Under $30 guide. This means that loyal customers will already be accustomed to searching for products in the same fashion.
Whether or not you create a dedicated gift guide, it’s key to ensure that your actual website makes it easy for users to find what they need quickly. After all, buying gifts for the holidays is often stressful. So anything you can do to make this process faster and easier will be well-appreciated by your customers.
16. “The Book of Dreams” by Argos
It might seem “old school” to promote a traditional, physical product catalog in our highly-digital age. However, British catalog retailer Argos has successfully found a way to do so. In one of the early holiday ads of 2019, The&Partnership advertising agency created a video that appeals to the child in all of us.
Dubbed The Book of Dreams, the ad follows a dad reliving a childhood dream about a drumset as the scene around him transforms into a stage. He’s joined by his daughter, and they rock out to “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. In a successful play on nostalgia and recapturing the wonder of the holidays, the advertisement is sweet and highly shareable.
Harnessing the magic of being a child at Christmastime is something any holiday campaign can strive for. Plus, this example demonstrates that the excitement of thumbing through a toy catalog is a unique and tangible joy that can be tied to fun online content. So when customers receive the mailing, they’ll remember to dream big!
17. “All Together” by Amazon
From the Lucky Generals agency, this next piece of Christmas marketing brings everyone a smiling box and a catchy tune. Amazon’s All Together advertisement highlights the company’s employees and friendly packaging in a video reminiscent of the popular holiday film Love Actually.
In terms of takeaways, this is another excellent example of how to demonstrate many different aspects of your business in a minute or less. You can highlight your employees, your customers, and just average people being happy and connecting with others. It only takes Amazon 90 seconds to make you want to call your mother, which highlights the impact of a heartfelt approach.
This particular video demonstrates the value of going all the way and embracing the warm-and-fuzzy part of the holiday season without cynicism or parody. Showcasing the excitement of the holidays — and working in your products or services organically without letting them steal focus — is a recipe for success with this type of marketing.
18. “Holidays Are Coming!” by Coca-Cola
Finally, let’s end on a true classic, perhaps the most legendary and recognizable holiday campaign in media history. Coca-Cola has been crucial in defining how Christmas marketing looks to the point where a prevalent myth claims that the company invented the modern image of Santa Claus.
Even if that’s not true, Coca-Cola’s recurring “Holidays Are Coming” campaign is still legendary. In fact, many don’t consider the Christmas season truly started until they hear the familiar jingle on TV. Even though it’s been a staple for over two decades, Coca-Cola has continued to expand and innovate its holiday marketing while still keeping the core of its message clear and consistent.
After all, the holidays are all about traditions, both big and small. Using nostalgia and tried-and-true concepts can help create a sense of tradition around your brand. We’ve seen this notion applied in many of the campaigns on this list, where brands iterate on a successful idea over the years.
However, nothing demonstrates the effect of this technique quite like Coca-Cola. If you can manage something similar for your own brand, albeit on a smaller scale, it can improve your business’ authority and capture your audience’s imagination.
Holly and Jolly
The holidays are not just about giving gifts, traveling, and spending time with family. They’re also a prime opportunity to market your business, boost end-of-year sales, and solidify your brand identity in the process.
Making sure you have all the tools you need can help boost the success of any campaign. Our shared hosting is a great way to start a new endeavor while providing your site with lots of room to grow!
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