Max Shipman’s Post

Starting the holiday marketing season early isn’t just about standing out though - it’s also about creating a sense of tradition. Think of the iconic John Lewis or Coca-Cola Christmas ads. These brands have become synonymous with the holiday season, and their annual ads are now as much a part of Christmas as the decorations and festive songs. By starting early, these brands effectively mark the ‘official’ start of Christmas for many consumers. Read Jesse’s full blog here https://lnkd.in/grfxSecn #nobullagency #creativemarketing #b2bmarketing #agencytalent #socialmediamarketing #brandbuilding #Christmas #johnlewisadvert #christmasads

Let's make it sparkle (again) One of the standout Christmas Ads of this year on every measure has been Very's fabulous festive campaign featuring their flamingos (try saying that one quickly!) There was however something rather surprising about the ad. It's almost identical to last year. To most people that's hardly the biggest shock of the year but in the world of marketing and advertising we seem to love creating new things, especially at Christmas But the data would suggest that's not the best move As Jessica Myers the Chief Customer at Very explains: most people described it as 'brave' but it was actually the smart thing to do. By using the System1 data they tested last year's 60" and used the feedback to make a new 40" edit and the result? A jump in Star rating from 4.6 to 5.4 Stars. In addition to that the Fluency score (branding) and Spike score (short terms sales potential) put them in the Top 10 this year in the most competitive category in the World, especially for Retail. To hear more about how they are using Fame, Feeling and Flamingos to deliver results in the 'Golden Quarter' check out the latest episode of Uncensored CMO Oh and this is well and truly the most pink and sparkling episode of the year! Link in comments Kerry Collinge Orlando Wood Andrew Tindall

Whether you're a Buddy the Elf or a Grinch, the festive season is very much upon us! As with previous years it's now tradition for brands to roll out heart-warming Christmas ads, a staple for many of the retail giants who are leaning into emotional storytelling. But given the reported cost of these adverts, why is this worth it? Simply put, 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. These ads don’t just sell products; they sell feelings that stick. They focus on the Christmas sizzle and not the bacon (or pigs in blankets may be more apt!) In a crowded market, these emotional connections help brands stand out, sparking moments of joy, memories and nostalgia. It’s not just great content - it’s a foundation for lasting relationships. What’s your favourite festive campaign this year?🎄

What makes a Christmas ad truly memorable? 🎄 By now, you’ve likely seen all the major Christmas ads for this year. In our latest blog (and our final one for 2024), John Horgan explores two very different approaches to Christmas advertising. John Lewis evoked nostalgia with The Gifting Hour, while Paddy Power leaned into its cheeky, unmistakable tone of voice. Both highlight the importance of leveraging distinctive brand cues to cut through the seasonal clutter. Discover how these campaigns succeed and why defining your brand assets is the ultimate gift for your marketing strategy: https://lnkd.in/epfqzRYG #ChristmasAds #BrandAssets #MarketingStrategy

Whether it’s the Coco Cola red truck or the Kevin the carrot, we all have our favorite Christmas ads that make us feel festive. But, what makes a truly great Christmas ad for brands? In our blog, John Horgan explores two very different approaches to Christmas advertising from John Lewis and Paddy Power highlighting the importance of leveraging distinctive brand cues to cut through the seasonal noise. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/epfqzRYG #ChristmasAds #BrandAssets #MarketingStrategy

🎄🎅 Every single year Cubery undertakes a deep dive into the effectiveness of 🇬🇧 UK Christmas advertising, which has provided us with a wealth of insights and learnings into what drives creative success during the festive season. With advertising’s role crystal clear (building mental availability!), our Branded Memorability score provides the industry’s most robust prediction of an ad’s short- and long-term impact—placing an equal emphasis on two mandatory ingredients: 1️⃣ Emotional Response 💜 (Captivate) 2️⃣ Brand Linkage 🔗 (Connect) Who topped the 🇬🇧🎄 UK Christmas rankings in 2024? See the full results, link in comments 👇

Forget stealing Christmas—this year, the Grinch was busy creating chaos at Krispy Kreme! 💚 Krispy Kreme absolutely crushed their holiday campaign: 🍩 First, they launched a Grinch-themed dozen donuts, decorated to holiday perfection. 🍩 Then on Friday the 13th, the Grinch “broke into” their factory and turned their classic glazed donuts green. And the people loved it! Their Grinch-themed Reels blew up, pulling in at least 10x more engagement than their usual posts. It’s proof that committing to the bit can deliver big results. Who knew chaos could taste this sweet? #Marketing #MarketingCampaign #SocialMedia

🎄 Think about last Christmas: Did holiday ads, overall, strike a chord and make you feel the feels? 💜 But fast-forward to January and how many of them could you still link back to the correct advertiser? 🔗 Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot? 🥕 The Coca-Cola Christmas Trucks? 🚒 Who else? Or did they all start blending into one big seasonal “sea of sameness”? 🌊 It’s why advertising doesn’t work if it’s not emotional. But by the same token, short- and long-term brand impact requires much more than just eliciting an emotional response. 🎅 Read more about Christmas advertising effectiveness, link in comments 👇

Brilliant or disturbing? The internet is losing its mind over the new Heinz adverts... The latest Halloween campaign features creepy, ketchup-smothered, Joker-like smiles. Some are calling it genius - a perfect blend of relatable product use and humour, combined seamlessly with seasonal fun. Others? They're a wee bit unsettled and confused. Whatever side you stand on, make no mistake... It's got people talking (and laughing)! And that's half the battle when trying to stand out in an overcrowded, digital world - where every brand is bidding for your attention. I think this is an absolute masterclass in modern marketing: Love it or hate it, you can't ignore it! And that's exactly what Heinz wanted. What do you think? Share your thoughts below 👇

Feel like you've been peppered with a hundred Christmas ads this week? Welcome to the Golden Quarter... For most FMCG brands, the Golden Quarter is the time when marketing needs to shout the loudest, with sales increasing tenfold from Halloween to New Year's Day. But with everyone yelling over each other, how do you cut through the noise? Take a look at our guide to see how an insights-led approach helps clients shine, the link is in the comments.