Coca-Cola has caused a stir with its new Christmas advert, leaving many viewers frustrated after a major change to the iconic campaign.
The drinks company recently unveiled its eagerly awaited Christmas ad, but fans were shocked to discover a significant shift in the familiar format. Instead of Santa Claus, the advert features AI-generated characters, sparking a wave of disappointment across social media.
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A Controversial Change
The 15-second advert, which is accompanied by the classic “Holidays are Coming” jingle, showcases Coca-Cola’s trucks driving through a small town. As the trucks pass, animated polar bears and people raise their bottles in celebration – all created through AI.
A hand, seemingly belonging to Santa, reaches out from one of the trucks holding a bottle of Coke Zero. The ad concludes with an aerial view of a festive town adorned with a giant Christmas tree, followed by the Coca-Cola logo.
Many viewers were quick to voice their frustration on social media, with one user stating, “They appear to have eliminated Santa from the adverts.” Others were equally displeased, with one adding: “The new Coke Christmas advert being made entirely by AI isn’t very Christmassy.”
A Shift from Tradition
This year marks the first time Coca-Cola has used AI in its Christmas advert. The company, which helped popularise the modern image of Santa Claus, has long been associated with its festive ads. The original 1995 advert featured real Coca-Cola trucks, each 40 feet long and covered in 30,000 lightbulbs.
Since then, the ad has become a Christmas staple, showing Santa celebrating the season with a refreshing bottle of Coke. However, this year’s AI-driven version has prompted a backlash from fans who feel the magic of the traditional adverts has been lost.
Viewer Discontent
Social media was abuzz with outraged comments. One viewer shared, “Anyone noticed the new ‘Holidays are Coming’ Coca-Cola advert is made with AI? I’m fuming!” Another lamented, “It looks utter rubbish. Not even good AI – surely it’s a prank or something.”
Fans of the classic advert, which has aired annually since 1995, were particularly vocal. “It’s a classic and so nostalgic!” one user wrote. “Why must AI ruin all media?”
Coca-Cola’s Response
In defence of the new advert, a Coca-Cola spokesperson explained, “Our venture into AI-generated storytelling highlights our commitment to innovation, while staying true to our values of spreading happiness and creating real magic.” The company’s aim is to embrace new technology while keeping its core message intact.
A Look Back at Coca-Cola’s Festive Ads
Coca-Cola’s red truck first appeared on screens in 1995, becoming a symbol of the holiday season. The catchy “Holidays are Coming” jingle soon became synonymous with the Christmas run-up, with Santa featured prominently in each subsequent advert.
In 2020, the company released a particularly emotional ad, which featured a father’s journey to deliver a Christmas letter to his daughter. Directed by Taika Waititi, this ad was hailed as one of the best festive ads of that year.
Coca-Cola’s 2024 Christmas Truck Tour
The release of the new advert coincides with the launch of Coca-Cola’s annual Christmas truck tour, which visits cities across the UK. This year’s tour is set to be “bigger and better than ever,” with a magical winter wonderland theme. Visitors can enjoy festive games, a lucky dip for exclusive Coca-Cola merchandise, and food trucks offering seasonal treats and ice-cold Coca-Cola Zero Sugar drinks.
A twinkling light canopy will also provide the perfect setting for winter selfies in front of the iconic red truck. While the full schedule for the tour has not been released, updates will be shared via the official Coca-Cola social media channels.
