Holiday commercials, catalogs and print ads are standard retail practice for stores and products. Strong creative should reinforce your brand and make potential customers desire your offerings or remember you in a positive light for the suture.
This year, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom missed the mark and caused more buzz about the offensiveness of the ads and products than about plans to shop at the stores. Bloomindale’s tweeted a quick apology and Nordstrom pulled the item in question off its website and issued a true apology. In the spirit of the holidays, we decided to give awards in several categories for the most “interesting” holiday ads through the years.
Winner: How Did This Happen? for Bloomingdale’s Catalog Ad
Criticized for exuding a date-rape vibe, we’re just not sure how this ad ever made its way to the table. It should have been vetoed long before it hit the catalog.
Winner: Toilet Humor for PooPourri, Even Santa Poops Commercial
When in doubt go for the potty jokes? Actually, it’s mandatory to have a sense of humor with a product such as this, PooPourri. Poor Santa.
Winner: Politically Incorrect for Lucky Strikes and Nordstrom Ads
Where do we start with Lucky Strikes? First of all, there’s the whole tobacco thing. Then there’s the guy in the fur coat and the driver. We’ve come a long way baby because this ad would not pass the test by today’s standards. As for Nordstrom, this shirt was deemed offensive toward Jewish women and was quickly removed from its website (see above).
Winner: Male Chauvinism for Old Spice MANta Claus Video and Hoover Vacuum Ads
It’s a tie.
This Old Spice guy think a lot of himself and the ending is just strange in a creepy sort of way. As for Hoover, it’s obvious there wasn’t much diversity on the ad team.
Winner: Is This for Real? for Colt and Arrow Shirts Ads
Another tie – we just couldn’t decide.
We were not sure at first if these were real ads, but alas they were.
Winner: Musical Arrangement for Kmart Joe Boxer Commercial
This Kmart spot caused uproar about it being pornographic, gross, inappropriate for families, etc. But is does have a good beat.
Have you experienced a fabulous or crazy holiday ad? Please share.
Leisa Chester Weir
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