3 Christmas Ads You'll Love That Aren't John Lewis

Author

Tim H
December 10, 2024

Let's cut through the tinsel and talk about this year's Christmas ads. It's that time when brands empty their marketing wallets trying to make us cry, laugh, or ideally both. And honestly? Some of them actually nailed it.

It’s an incredibly critical time when many brands need to make up their total year revenue targets. If they miss Christmas, they lose.

First up, ALDI's "Go a Little Extra." Look, ALDI's "Good Different" platform is the gift that keeps on giving. They have a refreshing taste on Christmas every year and don’t blend into the work that Woolworths and Coles usually deliver. The story, the humour, and the music are perfect. 

This ranked fairly well in Cubery’s Christmas ad testings too. 

Then there's Disney's "The Boy & The Octopus." They know how to punch you in the feelings, don't they? They are a brand about storytelling and they nailed it. The animation is gorgeous. Meaningful connections are a major theme in many of the ads this year.

Adam&eveDDB was behind this emotive work and they’re seasoned veterans. They were the agency behind John Lewis’s Christmas campaigns for 14 years. Also, Disney’s direct-to-consumer business (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) turned its first profit ever last quarter. So maybe good things ahead?

Apple finally remembered they're supposed to be good at advertising.  After a year of debatable work (i.e Crush!), they've come through with something good. What's clever is how they've made the tech feel human instead of just showing off another shiny feature. Another take on connection, this time emphasizing the cherished memories the season brings. Apple seamlessly weaves itself into these moments, becoming an integral part of the experience.

On ad testing, check out how other ads ranked when tested:

Happy Holidays Ya’ll.