Beyond the typical jewelry, razor, and car ads, several ad campaigns caught my eye this 2007 Christmas season. The Miller Lite television ad featuring the Trans Siberian Orchestra’s “Wizards’ of Winter” was very engaging, entertaining and even unique (which is hard to do this time of year when almost every ad features a Christmas song.) The choreography with the Plank Road brewery light and the music was impressive (although done by computer). The closing, “Enjoy the Lites” presented with a six pack of Miller Lites was a nice ending. The ads are also getting considerable views on YouTube (see ad).
Although I liked the Miller Lite ads, the traditional Budweiser Clydesdale ad campaign remains one of my favorite campaigns. The ads have a timeless feels and are almost expected this time of year.
Several companies chose to use claymations or animations in their advertising this year. Companies such as Alltel, Microsoft, AT&T, and Starbucks used claymations or cartoons. Undoubtedly these were inspired by the traditional Rankin/Bass Christmas classics, such as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “Rudolf” specials. I was surprised how many advertisers used claymantions. The ads were interesting, but the fact that so many companies used this technique, I felt it was overdone. My favorite was the Apple ad, which featured clay “Apple Guy,” “PC Guy” and Santa Claus doing a Christmas carol (see ad). The Apple cam
paign has been effective in differentiating Apple, and the claymation ad was nicely done.The animated Coca Cola ads featuring the penguins and the polar bears were my kids favorite commercial of the season. The ad actually inspired my sever year old daughter to give me a six pack of Coke as one of my Christmas presents (see ad).
With so many shoppers turning to the web for Holiday purchases, I believe the impact of Holiday television advertising will continue to be reduced...but they are still fun to watch. Now we can look forward to the Super Bowl ads (and the Presidential Campaign ads).
