The holiday season is a great opportunity to connect with your customers in a memorable, impactful way, but often it can be difficult to settle on a brand message that really resonates with your target audience. In my experience, I’ve found that the less-is-more approach can help break through the clutter to keep your campaign relevant and your message unforgettable. By cutting down your brand message and keeping things simple, you’ll find yourself with a holiday campaign that can be used for years to come.
An example of this type of simple, uncomplicated yet powerful style of holiday messaging is the classic Corona advertisement. A single palm tree illuminated in Christmas lights, the ever-recognizable “O Tannenbaum” in the background, and the Spanish words Feliz Navidad are all it takes; these elements combine to create an advertisement that captures the spirit of the holiday season while staying true to brand. From the instant you hear those first whistled bars, you know what the advertisement is for and feel the sense of nostalgia and comfort that are so central to the holiday season.
Another timeless holiday spot is this M&Ms commercial, which uses simple humor to create a memorable, festive ad. When the two M&M characters you know and love run into Santa and they both discover the other is real, you immediately find yourself with a smile on your face. This ad is so simple yet so classic, and does a great job of conveying that holiday feeling of warmth and joy. It’s short and sweet, and for me, this one never gets old.
No matter the brand, a holiday advertisement that is simple and touching is one that will impact your viewers and stand the test of time. These two campaigns are a testament to the fact that less is more; they’ve been played and replayed for years, and no doubt will continue to warm our hearts for years to come.
