Tag: christmas

Australia – As the Christmas countdown begins, beauty brand The Body Shop launches an integrated Christmas campaign to inspire customers to spread joy with purposeful gifts that give back through.

Developed together with Havas Group agencies, the new campaign aims to expand The Body Shop’s global self-love campaign that encourages customers to be ‘kind’ to themselves and to inspire ‘selfless love’ to others. 

Titled ‘Spread the Love, Share the Joy This Christmas’, the positive activism campaign includes strategic media planning and buying through Havas Media Melbourne, earned and influencer via One Green Bean (OGB) with creative by Marilyn & Sons.

The media features high-impact formats on CTV and BVOD across YouTube and Spotify, and sponsorship of brand-aligned podcasts, as well as content partnerships with publishers. A full-funnel social strategy has been put in place to ensure the ‘Spread the Love. The ‘ Share the Joy’ message dominated Instagram and Facebook, while a competition, which invites customers to nominate someone who brought them joy in 2021, was designed to drive audiences to The Body Shop’s Joy Hub platform.

Shannon Chrisp, The Body Shop’s brand and activism director for APAC, shared that since its global ‘Self Love Movement’, the brand has encouraged many people to embark on a journey toward self-love. 

“As an activist brand, we advocate the idea that you must first love and honor yourself in order to give back to the world and create true change. And now, we are asking our joyful collective to channel their self-love into selfless acts of love and kindness – to flip their internal focus outward in order to spark a joy movement this holiday season,” said Chrisp.

The campaign’s creative leads feature a colorful 30-second video that puts a lively spin on the illustrated global creative, using animation over live-action to spotlight acts of kindness and giving from friends, teammates, and strangers.

The multi-faceted earned and influencer approach also saw The Body Shop join forces with ‘Joy Squad’ ambassadors and charity partner Little Dreamers to shine a light on the estimated one in 10 selfless children and young adults in Australia who provide unpaid care to a family member.

Caitlin Huskins, Havas Media’s digital integration director for Melbourne, shared that in creating the work, they needed to ensure that the brand is able to stimulate real connections through the activation plan.

“A collaborative effort through Havas Media, OGB and Marilyn & Sons to build a meaningful plan through joyful creative, influencer content and media partnerships has built a true connection with our target audience, encouraging viewers to share joy to more than one through The Body Shop,” said Huskins.

Meanwhile, Hannah Stalder, One Green Bean’s head of creative services, said, “We set up a diverse and creative Joy Squad of ambassadors including media personality Abbie Chatfield, comedian and singer Em Rusciano, LGBTQIA+ activist Deni Todorovic, and Indigenous Healer Allira Potter. Through the content, they share their missions to spark a joy revolution via in-person surprise and delight and online activity, and encourage others to do the same by joining the movement on the online Joy Hub.”

Auckland, New Zealand – When you think of a Christmas-themed campaign, data utilization is the least you would expect to be at the core of it. However, New Zealand-based telco Spark begs to differ. The telco has just released its newest ‘Santa’ for its campaign: a tech assistant called ‘Spark’s New Tech Assistant’ or ‘S.N.T.A’ which allows online users to come up with the ideal Christmas gift for the ones they love. 

Created alongside creative agency Colenso BBDO, ‘S.N.T.A’ is built from thousands and thousands of data points designed to find out what every type of New Zealander wants this year.

The experience can be accessed online and in Spark stores around the country, allowing shoppers to discover what their cousin, family member, or co-worker wants. The data collected by Spark and Colenso is purposefully granular, segmenting giftees by much more than age and relationship, but unique interests and attributes, which add charm to what could have been cold facts and figures.

James Henson, chapter lead at Spark, said, “In the past, our focus has been on Spark’s great range of gifts. But we don’t shop for products at Christmas. We shop for the people we love, which isn’t always easy. Knowing that is what inspired S.N.T.A,”

Meanwhile, Lucy Grigg, who was recently promoted to the role of general manager at Colenso BBDO, commented, “Spark is New Zealand’s leading technology provider – which now extends to Christmas. It’s a pleasure to work with them to sprinkle a bit of holiday magic on their tech and build a product that is both charming and truly helpful to Kiwi shoppers.”

Auckland, New Zealand – Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s time for another variety of heart-warming campaigns across the region. Such is the case with the latest ad from airline Air New Zealand alongside creative agency Bastion Shine, which is centered around the theme of aiding others to bring cheer this Yuletide season.

The ad features an assistant elf breaking the ‘news’ to Santa Claus that they might not be able to enter New Zealand this Christmas. While listing down potential personas that Santa thinks can be helpful, he ‘rings up’ flight stewards and asks them for assistance in delivering Christmas gifts across New Zealand. The campaign ends with the phrase ‘magical deliveries might be heading your way’, signalling upcoming campaigns from the airline this season.

As part of their Christmas campaign, the airline offers Kiwis the chance to win daily prizes for the 12 days of Christmas, including Airpoints Dollars™, a rewards program of the airline, and two return tickets to New York.

Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty says it has been another tough year for many New Zealanders but things are looking up with international travel on the horizon in 2022, including the launch of the airline’s long-awaited New York route.

“We’re excited to be able to provide some cheer and happiness this holiday season and to be reconnecting friends and whānau when international travel restrictions ease in early 2022,” Geraghty said.

She added, “The daily prize draw along with some surprises around the country are our way of saying thanks to our valued customers for standing by us through another challenging year.”

Speaking about the campaign execution, Simon Curran, CEO at Bastion Shine, said, “There’s no doubt that the whole country has been looking forward to Christmas more than ever this year, so we’re glad to work with our amazing partners Air New Zealand to add a little extra cheer to this festive season. And thankful that we can look forward to 2022 with some optimism, both for Air New Zealand and for the entire country.”

Meanwhile, Josh Frizzell, director at Bastion Shine, commented, “What a great gig to get at the end of a very trying few months in lockdown, love the Air New Zealand crew and the team at Bastion Shine, full support from Reel Factory and a great cast and crew. The dream job to take us all into to Christmas. Thanks Santa!”

Philippines – With the celebration of the Christmas season, people are now gearing up their financial allocations to make the most out of the ‘giving’ season. For Filipino moms, this specific budget has been identified to be an average of ₱10,029 or almost US$200, all for gifts, according to a survey by parenting content platform theAsianparent (TAP) in the Philippines. 

Despite the intended average budget, the survey found that at least six out of 10 moms plan to buy more than 10 gifts, which will amount to an estimated 10% of their monthly income, while only 13% say that they’re unable to loosen their budget.

Overall, 83% of Filipino moms say that their monthly expenditure goes up during this festive period in response to the holiday rush such as sending money, gifts, and treats, and shopping in malls, and shopping online. 

Moms buy gifts for their kids the most (95%) followed by immediate family (92%) and spouse (84%). Meanwhile, the number one item Filipinos purchase as gifts is clothes, followed by toys then educational games for the kids, while household items and food are most likely the items gifted to other loved ones. 

Besides gifts, Filipino moms also spend on high-value items. Half intend to purchase home appliances over the festive season, with 41% looking at furniture, and 37% planning to go into 2022 brandishing new devices and accessories such as smartphones, laptops, and headphones.

Malena Gong, theAsianparent’s regional head of insights, said that with these insights, Filipino moms are crucial segment marketers need to be looking at.

“Combine this with the cultural phenomenon of a long holiday season, and you’ve got an extended period of traditionally higher spending, concentrated on one key demographic: moms,” said Gong.

Aside from items, the report also revealed moms’ consumption practices this holiday season. About 72% of Filipinos will buy on both offline and online instead of just using one; moreover, 16% of respondents intend to shop two to three months prior to the holidays, while 15% plan to shop within a week or less. 

Meanwhile, on the factors for purchasing items, promos and sales offered online is a top factor followed by those offered offline. Recommendations from other moms and parenting apps take the third spot, trailed by recommendations from friends and family. Meanwhile, social media influencers and ads on e-commerce are also top factors that influence Filipino moms’ purchase decisions. For social media and parenting apps, the majority or over 70% are active on these platforms past 7 pm.

Australia – Vicinity, the Australian retail property group, has launched a new sculptural Christmas tree called ‘NFT: Illuminated’, a one-of-a-kind installation developed using the works of Australian NFT creators.

The ‘NFT: Illuminated’, which was created in collaboration with creative agency Fabric, features the work of eight NFT creators, namely Aldous Massie, Bianca Beers, David Porte Beckefeld, James Jirat Patradoon, Jonathan Puc, and Lucius Ha, as well as Rel Pham, and Serwah Attafuah. 

Installed in Sydney’s The Galeries, the installation was constructed from glass, mirrors, and Perspex, which captures and accentuates the natural light that streams through The Galeries.

Moreover, the installation activates the newly developed creative platform ‘It’s An Art’ for The Galeries Artist in Residence program. It also builds on Vicinity’s Christmas campaign, ‘Where There is Light’, which was launched earlier this month.

Keenan Motto, Fabric’s creative partner, believes that their newly developed platform for The Galeries intends to position them as ‘the center loved for unconventional artistic exploration, with purpose’.

“NFT is an exciting new space to play in, and we are lucky to have a brave client in Vicinity who was willing to explore a more contemporized expression of the season which reimagines traditions for new audiences,” said Motto. 

Corrine Barchanowicz, Vicinity’s head of brand marketing and experience, shared that The Galeries has long been a destination for the contemporary and unique, and they wanted to extend that vision into Christmas by combining unique artwork with new technology.

“The new tree is distinctly The Galeries, introducing our customers to a new, cutting-edge experience never before seen in Australia,” said Barchanowicz.

Vicinity said that there will also be bespoke signage throughout The Galeries, which will direct shoppers towards the exhibition. It will also display the QR codes which connect to each creator’s profile on Foundation. Each artist will be profiled across The Galeries’ social media channels and website.

Visitors have the opportunity to explore ‘NFT: Illuminated’ and become NFT art collectors from 16 November 2021 to 5 January 2022.

Sydney, Australia – With lockdowns in Australia slowly being lifted out across many cities, supermarket chain ALDI has launched its newest campaign, inviting Australians to make their Christmas preparations more creative, exciting, and with gusto.

Part of the campaign includes a 60-second TVC depicting Australians seemingly getting bored or frustrated in preparing for Christmas-related things such as wrapping gifts, setting the table for Christmas dinner or dressing the chicken for cooking. Then, with the popular track ‘Sandstorm’ by Darude, the ad shifts these ‘mundane’ preparations into something more exciting, and ‘party-like’.

https://youtu.be/Y3odEye91Lg

“ALDI wants Aussies to have the Christmas they deserve. A completely overcooked Christmas. From birds inside birds, to ridiculously low-priced French Champagne and award-winning hams, ALDI is proving that you simply can’t overcook Christmas this year. We know Australians deserve it, and they deserve it at the best possible prices,” the company said in a press statement.

Mark Richardson, director of marketing at ALDI Australia, said that they wanted to tap into post-lockdown excitement and show what many of us are feeling: this year is the year to go a bit bigger for Christmas.

“To do this, we’ve created an emotive and upbeat Christmas campaign that is centred on the joy of letting loose. We hope that the ‘You Can’t Overcook Christmas’ call to arms, together with ALDI’s prices and phenomenal range, will energise shoppers to create the best possible Christmas for family and friends this year,” Richardson stated.

The campaign is a collaborative effort that has seen the participation of creative agency BMF, production company FINCH, The Kitchen Creative Group, and Bantam Productions.

The integrated campaign, targeting 5 million grocery buyers, will run across key media channels of TV, radio, outdoor, digital, social, catalog, and POS.

Sydney, Australia – Sometimes, when asked by someone of ‘what you want for Christmas’, chances are you are put into a spot, feeling overwhelmed and unsure. Hence, instead of saying what you want really, you resort to describing vague terms regarding your gift wish.

Such a quirky ‘dilemma’ is the spotlight of the latest ad from Australian department store chain Myer, centered around the concept of ‘unriddling Christmas’ to Aussies.

Titled ‘The Vague Carol’, the ad portrays a slew of people describing what they want for Christmas, yet still giving vague answers such as “I’m not really sure, surprise me” or “no pressure, whatever, I’m easy…”. In addition, the ad’s song is also a reinterpretation of the famous Christmas song, ‘Joy to the World’.

Geoff Ikin, chief customer officer at Myer, noted that the campaign is all about capturing the joy and fun of Christmas for all Australians by playfully turning those vague wishes into wonderful gifts, adding this provides a great way to showcase the many reasons they continue to be the ‘home of Christmas gifting’.

“Christmas is a busy time of year, that’s made ever so slightly more complicated by our attempts at trying to guess the perfect gifts for loved ones. With the vast Christmas range on offer in-store and online at Myer, we’re here to help Australians Unriddle Christmas, with our expert Giftician service and wide range of gifts that everyone will love,” Ikin said.

The ad, made by agency Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, was first previewed to the MyerOne loyalty program, with over 5 million members. The campaign then comes to life across all of Myer’s platforms including TV, BVOD, OOH, digital, social, online and in-store.

One of the many OOH campaigns for Myer’s ‘Unriddle Christmas’ campaign.

“We can all relate to giving and getting those annoyingly vague responses at Christmas. But one thing’s for sure, it’s been a joy to reimagine this classic tune with Fiona and the team. We hope this spot inspires some loud and proud Christmas carol singing. And of course, helps Australia Unriddle Christmas and turn those unhelpful hints into wonderful gifts,” said Ellie Dunn and Huei Yin Wong, senior creatives at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.

Myers also added that the campaign’s media approach, led by AKQA, is steeped in making their ‘Unriddle Christmas’ campaign one you cannot miss. 

“Unmissable media with in-depth partnerships ensures Myer creates and owns this relatable conversation, and showcases that no matter who you’re purchasing for, the perfect gift is waiting for them at Myer,” the company stated.

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine headquarters of the now global fast-food brand Jollibee has released its Christmas ad in the country, which puts to the spotlight one of the few silver linings the pandemic has brought – more time with family.

The ad is one straight out of the “new normal,” where in the first few seconds of the ad, people walking in the streets with face shields on are seen.

The ad was made with no special fuss, but hits home – people have definitely been plagued by the massive lifestyle changes amid the pandemic, but on the other hand, it has also unexpectedly brought a positive effect, such as closer ties with the family.

Such sentiment is represented by the inner thoughts of a child, who looks out the window, longing to go back outside and play in the playground. Then the mellow beginning quickly changes into a happy and grateful disposition.

From the bothered musings of the child “Hangang kailan kaya ganito…” (Until when will this continue) that are delivered as a lyrcial song, the child breaks into a smile and an upbeat tune, now enumerating, still through a song, the good side of it all: the home standing in as the boy’s playground, creating bonding moments with his parents, grandparents, and siblings.

So where does Jollibee appear? In the ad, Jollibee’s signature food items – such as Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti – are displayed as the anchor for the characters’ family time at dinner and merienda (snack time).

Within two days, the ad has already raked in 2.6M views, as of writing, on YouTube. Filipino viewers loved the film, with one commenting on Jollibee’s channel, “[Nice] commercial. [Showing] the positive side of this pandemic ?? [and] bringing family closer to each other ?”

Another user commented, “Jollibee never fails me with [its] commercial ✨??”

Jollibee has been known for proactively participating in designated calendar celebrations and using its special films to pay tribute on Valentine’s, Mother’s, and Grandparents day.

One of its films released on Valentine’s of this year called #CoupleGoals, garnered 21M views, which depicts the reality among seemingly perfect couples on social media.

Aside from the brand’s Christmas ad, the fast-food chain has also recently delighted its Filipino patrons with another year-end surprise when it brought back its signature one-third pound patty burger Champ, and the jumbo variant of its staple Burger Steak, Ultimate Burger Steak.

Singapore – As a way to show its appreciation for healthcare workers’ efforts during the country’s battle against the pandemic, Manulife will be giving away up to four complimentary admission passes to workers to the Manulife Sky Nets – Walking at Jewel Changi Airport. 

The recent campaign is in line with the company’s “Life Goes On, Let’s Move Responsibly”, which focuses on encouraging Singaporeans in embracing life in the new normal.

For Darren Thompson, chief customer officer at Manulife Singapore, the campaign launch is a way of bringing the focus point of gratitude to healthcare workers.

“2020 has been a whirlwind of a year for everyone, but no community has fought and endured the eye of the storm quite as much as healthcare workers. In the thick of the pandemic, these dedicated and resilient individuals not only performed their duties diligently, but also risked their lives to protect public health,” Thompson said.

He also added, “At Manulife, people are at the heart of what we do and we pride ourselves on walking with our customers and ensuring that their needs are upheld in every season. We want to thank these everyday heroes for their spirit of sacrifice, and are humbled to extend to them a window to unwind. We hope that this simple act will be an opportunity for our frontline fighters to take time to put them and their families first, even for just a few moments.”

To redeem their admission tickets, healthcare workers simply need to flash their own vocational passes at the Concierge Counter located at level 5 of Jewel for their admission tickets

The campaign is effective from November 25, 2020 to December 25, 2020, and in support of SG Cares Giving Week 2020.

United Kingdom – In celebration of the company’s 40th partnership anniversary with children charity foundation Make A Wish, Disney EMEA launches its “From Our Family To Yours” campaign, and features an animated video advertisement centered on the spirit of Filipino Christmas.

Featuring two characters, a grandmother (Lola) and her granddaughter, the video shows notable Filipino Christmas traditions, specifically parol making, or making of Christmas lanterns.

The video starts off in a Philippine location in the 1940s where the grandmother in his childhood days strolls around in a plaza or a public quadrangle and meets up with her father. He then gestures a mano, a Filipino honorific way of showing respect to the elders (0:15 video timestamp). She is then given by her father a Mickey Mouse doll as a Christmas gift.

Fast forward to 2005, and the grandmother and her granddaughter live under the same roof, and bond over making parols, a Christmas version of Filipino lanterns made from bamboo stilts and colored paper (0:50 video timestamp). However, as time passed by, the granddaughter lost interest in lantern making, evident in the granddaughter’s shift to other teenage things.

One particular scene provokes Lola’s sadness, as her granddaughter leaves the house, leaving her alone and the old Mickey Mouse doll she has been holding on for decades, an ear ripped off.

However, the video concludes with the daughter realizing that the Mickey Mouse was a memento of her Lola and decides to surprise her grandmother with a plethora of Christmas lanterns around the house and gifting her a fixed Mickey Mouse doll. Both are brought back to their cherished memories, and hug each other at the end.

The video’s official soundtrack is titled “Love Is A Compass” performed by UK artist Griff. Digital download purchases of the track and a limited edition vintage Mickey Mouse soft doll are eligible to support the Make a Wish Foundation, as 100% and 25% of the item sales respectively are donated to the said foundation.