Ogilvy UK’s Post

They went BIG🧍and it was FRIENDLY ☺️ but I’m not rating it as a GIANT👴 of this year’s #Christmas adverts I’m afraid! It’s the turn of Sainsbury's for day 8 of #12AdsOfXmas for #AdsAlexAppreciates and this one is close to my heart ❤️ having previously worked for the retailer and knowing how much effort the team put into their Christmas campaign! Positives: - Leverages a kid’s favourite IP in the BFG, following in the footsteps of previous years like Mog. - I like the continuation of the “ask Sainsbury’s” idea of their regular campaigns. It really has hit on a good insight “what Sainsbury’s does differently/USP is that it’s colleagues can offer advice” (I remember from my time working in stores how the Beers, Wines and Spirits colleagues took pride in recommending bottles for certain occasions when asked!).  - Focusing on quality of sourcing is strong and giving someone a Christmas dinner is a nice idea too. Negatives: - Feel the “Ask Sainsbury’s” idea was lost in this execution, the BFG is too dominant.  - By focusing on the one colleague, loses impact that many people could benefit from help, implies only “Sophie” is qualified - I know this isn’t the case, but just judging based on the message the advert gives me (and yes I get that Sophie is the character from the BFG!) - The giving of a Christmas dinner idea while good, is not executed well here - I didn’t feel this family “needed it”.  - The BFG IP usage also puzzled me - I know it’s a timeless IP, but the BFG file was in 2016, just feels weird to randomly use it for this year’s Xmas. I feel like some other IP could be used. Scores: - Stand out: 3 - True to brand / proposition: 3 - Emotional: 2 - Total score: 8 Summary: Sainsbury’s has done some belters in the past (the WW1 Christmas, Mog, Christmas in a Day to name but a few) but this year I just felt it could have been better. Last year felt stronger than this year, despite 2024 having the added benefit of a strong IP, but it just felt random. I had higher expectations I’m afraid! Maybe you disagree and this stood tall as a giant for you in this year’s Christmas portfolio of adverts? All views are my own. #Brand #Marketing #Advertising #Advert

Christmas Eve 2024: Which Stores Are Open & Which Stores Are Closed? Christmas Eve is just around the corner, and people are wondering what stores will be open and what stores will be closed. Whether they need to do some last-minute shopping or just need to get an emergency gallon of milk, Americans all over the country will need to know where they can go, whether they celebrate the holiday or not. So, what’s going on? Read more and find out: https://lnkd.in/gtgTn3Yv

Day 3 of #12AdsOfXmas 🎄 is nothing to write GNOME 🏠 about. Yes, it’s the #Christmas #advert from Asda that I’m reviewing today for #AdsAlexAppreciates Positives: I love puns, so all the gnome wordplay I appreciated, but it felt forced at times. The music is strong from the A Team driving recognition and equity, and there are plenty of pop culture references like Indiana Jones and Ru Paul’s Drag Race. It’s also heavy on the merchandise - I haven’t been into Asda this Christmas yet, but I presume they have these Gnomes for sale. And if they don’t, what a missed opportunity! Negatives: Came at an odd time for Asda to imply a large workforce makes their Christmas possible when they cut a large chunk of their workforce and it was in the news. Also, too many Gnomes. Too, Too many. - Stand out: 2 (I remember Asda doing Gnomes) - True to the brand / proposition: 4 (It told me Asda has everything I need for Christmas - “Gnome more, Gnome less”) - Strong emotional hook: 0 (Nothing connected me to this advert, bar the music, but the amount of Gnomes killed out the love for the A-Team I’m afraid) - Total score: 6 Summary: Does it deliver on a bit of jolly cheer? I guess so (albeit not my cup of tea). The Elf advert featuring Will Ferrel from a few years back was so much better and really showed the power of what Asda could do, this just seems like a huge step backwards. Do you disagree? Maybe you Gnome more than me and want to tell me where my thoughts are wrong? As always, all views are my own. #brand #marketing #advertising

Big news—Lidl has been officially cleared to open its first-ever in-store pub. Yep...You’ll now be able to grab a pint while shopping for discount cucumbers and middle-aisle surprises. Because why not? But is this really a good idea? Imagine the scenes: 🍺 Tipsy trolley's 🍷 Off the scale Impulse buys 🥃 Dramatic snack pairings So, what do we think—genius or chaos waiting to happen? 🤔 Can i relate this to IT? Oh yes i can!! Choosing the wrong IT support company is a lot like having a few too many beers before doing your weekly shop—both seem fine at first, if anything, it's a novelty, but soon enough... ❌ Chaos unfolds, ❌ No one knows what they are doing and ❌ Questionable decisions are made. Choose wisely dear friends. 👍 Weekly shop and a good old fashioned pint down the pub 👍 IT Support and Southern Solutions UK LTD It just makes sense. #lidl #morethanit

Kevin the carrot steals our hearts! Our latest study with Campaign UK reveals Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot as the nation's favourite Christmas ad of all time, praised for its humour (82.4%) and storytelling. While John Lewis dominates the top 10, this result shows the magic of blending a recurring character with fresh, engaging narratives year after year. Big shoutout to aldi, coke, john lewis and sainsbury! See the full festive rankings here: https://lnkd.in/eGGUMBGM Which ad is your favorite? Join the Conversation with Spikes At Spikes, we connect brands with people by uncovering the moments that excite—the Excitement Points. With insights that drive action and a network of experts and advisors, we’re here to help businesses like yours thrive. 💬 Curious about working with us? Reach out to our advisory board, including Alessandro Panella eric koivisto Falk Fuhrmann Catherine Heath Kathryn Stokes Jo Royce Dave Cobban or the Spikes team Maik Hofmann Moritz Wehr Julia Franke Gordon Euchler. Big shoutout to Jamie Peate.  #ChristmasAds #kevinthecarrot #FestiveMarketing #CreativeStorytelling #MarketingResearch #TopAds 

Another bold change to Marks and Spencer cafes? THEY ARE ACCEPTING CASH AGAIN! Signs still say “Card Only “ BUT if you WANT to pay by cash you can - and they have change to give, so cash acceptance is being managed properly. Well done, Marks and Spencer - now put up some “Cash Welcome” stickers. I can provide them from my association with the “Cash is Cool” organisation! Another retailer that has also almost returned to the straight and narrow is Boots Opticians. They are also accepting cash again BUT not offering change in stand-alone locations. Come on, Boots UK - nearly there, BUT you can do better than that! In any event, two very positive moves by major British retailers. I would urge ALL customers to use cash in these retailers. That would help reaffirm the enduring importance of Payment Choice. By the way, who told you “cashless” was a dead man walking? WE DID Payment Choice Alliance

Greene King has revealed it saw a 30% increase in online Christmas Day bookings across its managed pubs versus last year, with a 13% increase in the month of December, on the back of a multimillion-pound investment. The company said: “Improving customer experience and creating a seamless booking process is central to Greene King’s digital investment." 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

🎄✨ Don’t Be Gnome Alone This Christmas With the festive season well and truly kicking in—Christmas ads airing and lights switching on—Asda’s heartwarming campaign is a brilliant reminder of how brands can connect meaningfully with their customers. With 1 in 10 over-60s expected to be alone this Christmas, Asda is stepping up with initiatives like £1 café deals and "Happy to Chat" badges. These efforts go beyond just selling—they foster community, reduce loneliness, and give people a reason to visit in-store. It’s a fantastic example of marketing with purpose, building trust, loyalty, and a sense of belonging. Retail has the power to make a difference, and this is a campaign that truly shines. What other campaigns have caught your eye this season? #CommunityMatters #ChristmasSpirit #MarketingWithPurpose #GivingBack https://lnkd.in/gNS3hkFy

Client: Burger King Brasil Industry: Restaurants Agency: DAVID São Paulo Two things are frightening to men: The absence of money and going bald. While these are real threats to men, society has little to zero mercy towards men who exhibit any of these🥱, but not Burger King🤌🏽💯 With their latest campaign titled: "The Bald Thru" campaign, every man with a drive-thru-style baldness, natural or not, will be rewarded with a free Whopper.🥳 The Bald Thru described as an entry on one side, passage through the back, and exit on the other is an opportunity to promote Burger King's Drive👏🏽. Hence the reward is available exclusively for those who order through the drive-thru at participating store locations. I like when companies get creative with words 👏🏽👏🏽. #marketing #advertising FTK - THB 🦡