Why We Love Target's Kris Kringle Campaign

If you haven't seen Sexy Santa pop up on your feed or screen, we're sorry...Oh, we mean, let us explain! Target has been sleighing their holiday ad campaigns by introducing Santa with let's say, a 'modern' look.

Starting back in November around the Black Friday weekend, this campaign has been taking up a lot of screen time. And, the chatter around this campaign hasn't stopped since. Actor Brent Bailey is nailing the silver fox version of Santa, but here's why we are loving the campaign as a whole.

It's Bold

This ad campaign was bold! Making Santa sexy? It's not quite something that every company would think of or run with, and that's exactly why it's genius. They stepped out of the box, or should we say gift box, and found a way to make a statement out of all the holiday ads that are currently running. There are SO many ads that hit our screens during this season that it can be overwhelming, so this move was huge in making it stand out across the other ads.

It Tells a Story

So far, there have been a set of six ads, each telling a different side of Kris to make the audience get to know this seasonal character in a short amount of time, paired with a promotion of course. While these ads are only 16-30 seconds long, they were able to create a powerful narrative of the character in such a short timeframe, and they continue it on social media with Reels.

It's Memorable

As we've learned through years of Superbowl ads, humor always makes for a memorable ad! It's been on our screens a lot this season so far, but it's going beyond that and people are bringing it onto social media and real-life conversations, making it stick! Will it hold on for longer? When we think about holiday ads specifically and what's memorable, there are a few that might come to mind like Hersey Kisses Christmas Bells ad, the M&Ms "They do exist," or Budweiser's Clydesdale Christmas. However, those ads are heavily relying on the feeling of nostalgia, as they have been around since the late 80's. Could this ad be the first holiday ad campaign that sticks around in years? We'll have to see! Overall, humor mixed with a bold idea, that's a recipe for an even more memorable ad for this holiday season!

It's Generating Buzz

Is all press really good press? We'd say in this case, it's definitely working in Target's advantage in the case of Sexy Santa. Whether you love or hate the concept, it's getting people talking about it. The comment section is filled with #1 fans of Kris Kringle, their #TargetSanta hashtag is being used, and people are creating TikTok after TikTok with their opinions on this. It's working!

It's Well-Rounded

Not only is this a full campaign on TV, but they feature this on their social media, too. This means more visibility, more recognition, and more conversation! This has already been generating a crazy amount of conversations with the buzz, and they are leaning into it by taking the ads to socials.

In conclusion, we are loving the Target Santa approach because it's bold, it's different, and it's WORKING! Black Friday through the end of the year is the promotional haven for businesses. But, what makes all the difference is the creative, fun, and unique ways in which they approach this. Taking calculated risks with your marketing is sometimes exactly what your brand needs to make a lasting impression. So, what's your brand's version of Kris Kringle?