As the year comes to an end, we find ourselves immersed in the magical chaos of the holidays and bombarded by a mass of Christmas messages. In amongst all the emotion and shopping, brands engage in a battle to stand out through emails, social media posts and advertisements to capture our attention.
However, among the multitude of messages, only a few have managed to stand out and remain in our memory.
What's their secret?
Keep reading to find out how these companies are managing to stand out in the holiday bustle with seasonal marketing strategies that ignite the festive spirit and establish long-lasting bonds. We present various examples of Christmas marketing campaigns to serve as inspiration.
Examples of Christmas marketing campaigns
1. Lego: "Build a Playful Holiday"
In 2022, LEGO launched a festive campaign with Katy Perry across 35 markets through television, digital platforms, and LEGO stores, focusing on children and showcasing their Christmas experiences.
On LEGO's social media, the #LEGOtakeover campaign stands out. In this campaign, children use their Instagram to showcase new Christmas collections, LEGO fan creations, and videos with Katy Perry. The Christmas Gift page on the website provides information on holiday shopping, limited-time offers, DIY content, user-generated Christmas photos, and personalized LEGO toy recommendations. Subscribers receive emails with gift ideas, seasonal offers, community creations, LEGO VIP program benefits, and more to inspire LEGO purchases.
2. Coca-Cola: "Peace on Earth... Or at least in the Shopping mall"
Known for its moving Christmas campaigns, Coca-Cola gained attention with a social media ad promoting peace. The ad shows two people sharing a coat in a shop, choosing to celebrate together a Coca-Cola product instead of creating conflict. A Christmas story that reflects the company's spirit of sharing and giving.
3. WestJet: "Christmas miracle"
In their Christmas campaign, WestJet surprised travellers with a unique experience. By scanning their tickets at a giant gift box in the check-in area, passengers shared their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus on a screen. The airline's team rushed to purchase and deliver gifts to the final destination of each flight, sending them through the baggage belts. A heartwarming initiative that took the magic of Christmas to new heights.
4. Casper: "Escape to Slumberland with Casper and Netflix"
Casper took a unique approach to the holidays, going beyond Christmas-focused promotions. The company collaborated with Netflix to present the movie "Slumberland" through local screenings with tickets and virtual projections, calling it "The World's Biggest Pyjama Party." In a family-friendly atmosphere, participants were encouraged to dress in their most comfortable pyjamas and enjoy snacks and surprises courtesy of Casper and Netflix.
This thematic continuity extended to Casper's communication channels, with sleep tips, early access to sales information, and updates on new products in emails and text messages.
Also, Casper introduced a dedicated space for Holiday "Sleeptacular" on its website, offering detailed information on recommended products and exclusive seasonal discounts.
5. Apple: "Share your gifts"
Apple chose to use this animation along with Billie Eilish's music to convey the message that gifts transcend materiality. The campaign, backed by the hashtag #ShareYourGifts, went viral on social media, encouraging many to share their talents and gifts during this significant season.
6. Spotify: "Unusual playlists"
Every year, Spotify surprises us with a unique Christmas campaign that breaks tradition. Instead of lights and ornaments, they use user data to highlight fun playlists, such as "The Royal Wedding is Tomorrow!!!" (created 22 days after the event) and "Baby Shark." The strategy, under the hashtag #Wrapped, focuses on telling amusing stories, making Spotify more diverse and entertaining, and that Christmas advertising can be innovative and out of the ordinary.
7. Walmart: "Disfruta completamente"
Walmart stands out with a fun yet memorable video celebrating the wonder of Christmas, despite its imperfections. The commercial emphasizes the importance of enjoying the season with friends and family while showcasing products available in the store for preparing meals and buying gifts.
8. Asda: "Make this Christmas Incredibublé"
Canadian singer Michael Bublé, famous for his timeless Christmas performances, joins forces with the British chain Asda for its 2023 campaign. In a heartwarming twist, Bublé, playing the role of "Asda's Chief Quality Officer," exudes contagious enthusiasm while showcasing Christmas products. The campaign culminates in a musical delight, with Bublé singing Bing Crosby's "Winter Wonderland" in front of an Asda supermarket, accompanied by a choir: a festive collaboration that adds a touch of joy to the Christmas season.
Now that you have inspiration from Christmas marketing campaigns, what are you waiting for to create yours?
As a Diamond HubSpot Diamond partner agency, at mbudo we assist you with content strategy to accompany your audience throughout all the important moments of the year, taking your brand to the next level. Shall we talk?
Carolina Castelo
Carolina has a master's degree in digital marketing and e-commerce. She has always had a great passion for the field of communication and has recently focused on digital marketing, increasingly eager to learn about the new trends in Inbound Marketing. Traveling and enjoying the beach are two of her favorite activities.