The holiday marketing and advertising season is now in full swing for major brands and retailers. Catch up on their latest ads and strategies to win shoppers in these must-read articles.

Coca-Cola Drops First AI-Generated Holiday Commercial

Earlier this year, Coca-Cola announced they would start utilizing AI to help create future advertisements. In one of their first ads of the holiday season, the soda brand used their proprietary Real Magic generative AI software to recreate their famous 1995 commercial “Holidays are Coming.” Much of the ad looks similar to the original version, except the consumers featured in the spot are drinking Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and we only see a glimpse of Santa’s AI-generated hand holding a soda bottle.

Coca-Cola’s early tests of the new ad scored positively with consumers, and the brand’s CMO was quoted saying that AI helped them efficiently bring a classic advertisement into modern times. Still, social media users were quick to lament their use of AI in a holiday commercial, with some calling the spot “ugly” and “soulless.” Watch the ad and read more about Coca-Cola’s AI-generated recreation: https://www.marketingweek.com/coca-cola-ai-holidays-are-coming/

McDonald’s Holiday Cups & Digital Collectibles

This week, McDonald’s dropped their response to Starbucks’ famous holiday-themed coffee cups. Now through December, all McCafe beverages will come in a cup with a design from Doodles, Pharrell Williams’s NFT media brand. The Doodles feature an animated winter scene packed with holiday and McDonald’s-themed details. Each McCafe cup will also feature a QR code that customers can scan to redeem a free pack of branded digital collectibles from Doodles, along with access to a Doodles short film.

To help promote the collaboration with McDonald’s, Pharrell also produced an original new song, titled “Good Mornin’,” and a music video that will release in early December. Find out more details about the Doodles brand and McDonald’s holiday marketing strategy: https://www.fastcompany.com/91228075/pharrell-continues-his-global-conquest-with-mcdonalds-new-holiday-cups

Nordstrom Launches App Refresh to Court Holiday Shoppers

As part of their holiday campaign, Nordstrom streamlined their mobile app to simplify consumers’ shopping experience. The retail brand’s refreshed app now includes helpful services, including gift guides, styling advice, personalized recommendations, and improved search capabilities. Nordstrom has also revamped their operations to better compete with Amazon by offering same-day pickup and free two-day shipping on most orders in major markets.

To bring their holiday campaign to life in stores, Nordstrom will also host in-store holiday experiences throughout the season, including letter-writing to Santa, holiday-themed breakfasts, and their annual Beauty Bash. Read up on more details about Nordstrom’s revamped mobile app and efforts to compete with other holiday retail giants: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wonder-all-the-way-with-nordstrom-this-holiday-season-302302089.html

Kroger Inspires Holiday Hosts

Kroger kicked off their holiday marketing campaign last week with “The Case of the Disappearing Food.” The grocery brand’s new spot is a 60-second TV and streaming ad that shows Kroger’s family of animated characters helping an older woman get back in the holiday spirit with festive food. Additionally, Hulu viewers in key Kroger markets will also get access to an on-screen QR code to shop grocery items seen in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” infamous dinner scene.

According to findings from Deloitte, holiday shoppers are poised to spend 16% more on hosting holiday gatherings this year. Kroger hopes the add will help drive consumers to their stores during the holiday season, especially as the brand has seen flat year-over-year sales. See Kroger’s new heart-warming ad and find out more about their “Shop the Scene” strategy: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/kroger-shop-the-scene-hulu-holiday-campaign/732880/