This week, brands are jumping into the holiday spirit with new campaigns aimed at simplifying their audience’s lives during this busy season. Catch up on the latest holiday campaigns and stories in our Weekly Must Reads.

Pizza Hut Rewards Delivery Drivers

This month, Pizza Hut is helping their customers give back to the real heroes of the holiday season: delivery drivers. Last week, the pizza chain began offering “Reverse Delivery” door mats on their website to customers, free of charge. Each day, 50 customers could sign up to receive one of the door mats. Each mat displays a QR code delivery drivers can scan for a $25 Pizza Hut coupon. The code will work for drivers of any company, including DoorDash, UberEats, and even non-pizza deliveries, such as Amazon.

According to Pizza Hut’s chief marketing officer, the goal of the campaign is to spread some joy back to delivery drivers during their busiest time of the year. The brand gave away a total of 250 mats, representing $100,000 in free pizzas for drivers. Find out more details about Pizza Hut’s holiday initiative here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/12/06/pizza-hut-reverse-delivery-doormat-free-gift-card/71807482007/

Bath & Body Works’ Larger-Than-Life Candle

Earlier this month, to kick of their highly anticipated annual Candle Day sale, Bath & Body Works launched a new campaign, titled “Come Back to Your Senses.” The centerpiece of the campaign was a 10-foot tall three-wick candle placed prominently in New York City’s Herald Square. The giant candle aims to remind consumers to slow down during the busy holiday season and reset with “the power of fragrance,” according to Bath & Body Works’ chief customer officer.

“Come Back to Your Senses” will continue throughout December with video, out-of-home and social media placements. The ads highlight how Bath & Body Works products can help consumers escape common stressors, particularly during the holidays. Check out the giant candle and supporting marketing elements here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/bath-body-works-drops-giant-candle-holiday-marketing-2023/701257/

Aldi Gives Santa the Day Off

In their creative new holiday ad, grocery store chain Aldi imagines a Christmas where Santa Claus delivers his presents a day early. In the spot, we follow a modernized Santa as he enjoys his Christmas Eve off with a trip to Aldi for holiday essentials. He ends the day by using his Aldi ingredients to cook a festive meal to enjoy with his family. The ad serves not only as a compelling story about a contemporary Mr. Claus, but also as a reminder that Aldi is an ideal destination for Christmas shopping.

Aldi’s latest spot is the second holiday ad we’ve seen from them this year. The first featured the brand’s Kevin the Carrot mascot in a Willy Wonka-type Christmas factory with a message about the joy of sharing. Watch the new ad and learn more about Aldi’s holiday strategy here: https://www.thedrum.com/news/2023/12/07/ad-the-day-santa-surprises-delivering-gifts-day-early-aldi-spot

Domino’s Offers Snow Plowing Grants

If you ask pizza chain Domino’s, there’s nothing worse than a snowstorm getting in the way of your pizza delivery. This holiday season, the brand will give away $500,000 in grants to cities across the US to support more snowplows. Consumers can submit their zip code on Domino’s website for a chance to win one of the 20 grants that Domino’s will award throughout the month of December. Winning cities will also receive branded winter gear, such as hats and scarves.

Many of Domino’s recent advertising campaigns have focused on simplifying the carryout and delivery experience for customers. This new initiative, titled “Plowing for Pizza,” is a follow-up to a successful 2018 campaign. That campaign, called “Paving for Pizza,” helped repair damaged roads in several US towns to better protect pizza deliveries. Learn more about Domino’s continued emphasis on carryout and delivery here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/dominos-plowing-for-pizza-loyalty-ad-campaign/700932/