🎄 The UK Christmas Ad Battle is Back – and Boots Has Stolen the Show! 🎄
When I lived in the UK, one of my favorite November traditions was the unveiling of Christmas adverts. Each year, brands like M&S and John Lewis pull out all the stops to create memorable, heartwarming campaigns – and I still look forward to it every year!
This year, though, Boots has truly outdone itself, in my opinion. Their new Christmas ad beautifully captures the spirit of the season, though it’s sparked a mix of admiration and criticism, with some calling it “too woke” and others even threatening a boycott.
What’s fascinating is how Boots seems to have honed in on their audience with remarkable precision. According to Statistica, Boots’ brand awareness is a massive 96%, yet a recent report from Thinkbox shows they’ve struggled to gain traction with the under-25s, losing ground to competitors in that demographic. This ad manages to resonate not only with Gen X/ Millenial women like myself but also with the coveted Gen Z audience.
The ad reflects the diversity of Boots’ target audience, with thoughtful inclusion of people of all genders and pronouns, capturing the rich cultural tapestry of the UK today. It speaks to people from all backgrounds who enjoy makeup, grooming and self-care, including men and non-binary folks who wear makeup. As a woman and a mother of a tween girl (who spends a good amount on cosmetics!), it resonated with me on a personal level.
One of the most clever moments, for me, was seeing Mrs. Claus, played by Adjoa Andoh from Bridgerton (a show hugely popular with Boots’ core demographic), toss a last package onto Santa’s sleigh and smirk at the camera, saying, “You thought it was all him.” I couldn’t help but smile, relating to the countless mums who orchestrate Christmas magic while their partners remain blissfully unaware of the gift details.
Boots, no doubt, would have smartly anticipated the ad's amplified reach through influencer marketing, particularly on TikTok, embracing both fans and critics. The backlash around its “wokeness” has only driven more engagement, expanding the campaign’s reach even further. In fact, those who seem most offended by it, aren’t who they’re speaking to at all. But the commentary from these curmudgeons only seems to fuel the campaign’s traction.
For me, this Boots ad captures clever, audience-centric storytelling that speaks to multiple generations (they even sprinkled a bit of product marketing in there too) making it my favorite UK Christmas ad of the year. 👏
What do you think? #Marketing #ChristmasAds #BootsUK #Boots
Our 2024 festive campaign is here! 🤶
We’re thrilled to unveil “The Christmas Makeover,” featuring Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh as the fabulous Mrs. Claus. Watch as Adjoa and her team of elf-fluencers bring a magical touch to festive gifting in her one-of-a-kind Christmas “Werkshop” — where there's a beauty gift for everyone, at every price point.
Pete Markey, Chief Marketing Officer said: “As the UK’s favourite beauty retailer, we are on a mission to spread magic and excitement to beauty enthusiasts this Christmas, whilst also recognising the unsung powerhouses who make Christmas so special. This advert is the perfect culmination of both, and I cannot wait to see the reaction and help gift-givers find the perfect gift this Christmas.”
Catch “The Christmas Makeover” on our social channels today and on ITV1 tonight at 9:30pm. 🎄✨