The Best Holiday Ad Campaigns of 2020

Alexa Mancilla | December 30, 2020 at 6:15 AM

A Very COVID Christmas (Ad Campaign)

This holiday season is quite obviously going to look much different than in the past. Because of the pandemic, many families are opting out of big holiday gatherings or are finding ways to celebrate virtually, and with that, brands are trying to find innovative ways to get people in the holiday spirit.

Personally, I was excited to see what the holidays would bring in terms of ads. Would marketers choose to ignore the pandemic for a moment, or would they lean into it? Turns out, there were plenty of both. In this blog, Hollywood Branded shares some of the best holiday ad campaigns of 2020.

Christian Louboutin

It's no surprise that the luxury designer that brought introduced the world to the iconic red-soled heel would bring us an equally as iconic and visually stunning commercial just in time for the holidays.

The minute-long ad features mischievous Christmas ornaments who come to life in order to unwrap the presents under the tree. As the precious Nutcracker-inspired ornaments wreak havoc on the gifts, they discover stunning pairs of heels, wedges, loafers, and even some gorgeous lip glosses!

While the commercial may not have consumers going out in droves to buy a pair of Louboutins (but, hey, if you've got $750 to spend, go for it!), it does help consumers get into the holiday spirit and gives a little whimsy to viewers who need an escape for a bit.

Amazon

The online retailing giant really came through for people during the pandemic with fast shipping, cheap prices, and safe packaging measures, so it's no surprise that their holiday commercial is centered around COVID.

The heartwarming ad follows a young ballerina who is seen practicing for an upcoming recital at every spare moment, all while the global pandemic becomes a bigger and bigger threat. The dancer is confident and excited for her debut, only to learn shortly before the show that it has been cancelled due to social distancing safety measure being put into place. Understandably, she is devastated. Her younger sister sees this and immediately sets out to plan the perfect (albeit socially-distanced) dance recital, complete with an audience and even some spotlights (courtesy of high-powered flashlights from Amazon Prime, of course).

The show goes off without a hitch and artfully reminds viewers that beauty can (and will) prevail in the midst of a pandemic. All it takes is a little effort and a lot of love (and an Amazon Prime subscription wouldn't hurt, either).

Gucci

Gucci takes us back in time, and I don't just mean to a time where people could be sitting close together in an office. The luxury brand's newest holiday commercial transports us back to the mid-90s (though, some critics have argued that the fashion is more reminiscent of the 1970s).

The ad follows a group of office workers as they plan their (tacky, in the best way) holiday party. Backed by the indie pop 80s hit, "Only You" by Yazoo, the employees deck the halls (of the office) and let their hair down as the work day ends. Clad in stunning accessories and the layers that Gucci has become known for, the employees bond by photocopying their gorgeous bags, singing karaoke, and exchanging gifts.

While office workers decked out head to toe in Gucci may not be the most realistic thing, it provides a welcome call-back to the times when we could bond with coworkers, not over Zoom.

LEGO

LEGO has always prided itself on encouraging kids (of all ages) to explore their creativity and to test the limits of their imagination, and their newest holiday ad does just that.

Their commercial employs the perfect sense of whimsy - complete with a musical number, teleportation, and mythical creatures. As parents make simple flowers and trees, their children take things one step further with sausage trees, blue horses, and giant Iron Men.

The ad helped bring out everyone's inner child and reminded us all to use our imagination to create new and exciting worlds. Right now, we all could definitely use it.

Hudson's Bay

Schitt's Creek seemingly took over the world this year. From becoming one of the top 10 most-streamed shows of the year, to sweeping the Emmy's, taking home a historic number of awards, the beloved Canadian TV show has become somewhat of a household name.

So, it really seemed natural for one Canadian household name to collaborate with another (Schitt's Creek and Hudson's Bay, respectively), to create a festive holiday commercial.

Starring Annie Murphy (Alexis Rose) and Catherine O'Hara (Moira Rose), the ad follows the two women as they prepare for a magical and memorable holiday season. After the year we've had, Annie quips "this year, we need the holidays more than ever," and sets off to make the most magical holiday season yet, with some help from her on-screen mom, Catherine O'Hara.

The fantastical and over-the-top commercial is fitting for Annie and Catherine (and even more-so for their Schitt's Creek characters), and by connecting two such recognizable and adored characters with an iconic department store, it helps customers put a (popular) face to the brand.

Happy Holidays from Hollywood Branded!

Want to learn more about marketing during the holidays? Look no further than Hollywood Branded's blog! We have plenty of holiday-related blogs that cover a myriad of topics. Check some out below: