My Favourite Campaigns: Christmas Edition

With 25 years of experience in the agency scene our founder and CEO Stefan Doerrstein regularly evaluates noticeable ad campaigns from all over the globe. Today it gets Christmassy:

Stefan Doerrstein, Founder and CEO of J+D Software Ltd.

Only two more weeks until it’s Christmas – and we’re already feeling the Christmas spirit. Each year there are heaps of great Christmas adverts from the USA and the UK – I have watched all of them ;) and have picked my top 4 ads. Have fun watching! Small hint: Keep your handkerchiefs ready.

Heathrow Airport: #ComingHome

For the first time, Heathrow Airport released a video campaign for Christmas. The spot was created by Havas London and brings the elderly teddy bear-couple Edward and Doris Bair to life. They are coming home for Christmas to visit their family – the ad follows them as they make the final steps of their journey through Heathrow Airport. It gorgeously captures the excitement people feel when coming home to their family for Christmas and being reunited with them at the airport. A heart-warming story for all ages – with a nice twist at the end.

John Lewis: #BusterTheBoxer

The UK retailer John Lewis [http://www.johnlewis.com/] is often said to be the king of Christmas adverts, every year they deliver a viral hit for Christmas. Last year’s lonely man on the moon moved us all to tears. 2016 ends on a happier note. The campaign’s star: Buster the Boxer. His owners, parents of a little girl, make him an unexpected Christmas gift. As a gift for their daughter, they bought a trampoline which soon becomes the hit for all the neighbourhood’s animals. You can see why in the lovely spot which was created by the London based agency adam&eveDDB.

Marks & Spencer: Christmas with Love from Mrs Claus

Christmas is mostly all about one guy: Santa Claus. UK-retailer Marks & Spencer turns the story of Santa Claus on its head and puts his wife in the foreground: Mrs Claus. She fulfils a very special wish of a little boy – behind her husband’s back. London-based agency RKCR/Y&R conceptualized the spot and it was directed by Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper.

Macy’s: #OldFriends

Obviously there has to be a campaign from the US in this list, too. And which better choice is there than retail’s grand old lady: Macy’s. The retailer‘s ad not only celebrates Christmas but also 90 years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The spot created by BBH New York tells the story of a very special „friendship“ between a Santa-Balloon and a long-time spectator of the parade. Caution: Keep your handkerchiefs ready!