Black instagram icon facebook-f-brands-black black twitter icon black linkedin icon black youtube icon back-to-top
seventy7-header-logo
  • Photography
    • Creative Campaign Photography

      Our photographers know exactly how to bring your brand to life.

    • Ecommerce Photography

      We always make sure your products stand out online.

    • Luxury Photography

      Elevate the look of elegant products with the finest quality imagery.

    • Video & Motion First

      Our high quality cameras capture movement like never before.

    • Shoot Production

      Everything’s under control and on budget with our 360 approach.

    • Phygital Photography

      Realise your most ambitious ideas with a blend of physical and digital.

  • Creative
    • Creative Campaigns

      Trust us to deliver unique ideas that get your audience talking.

    • Digital Design

      Our digital designers help you thrive online and beyond.

    • Print Design

      Trust our design expertise to make you look the part in print.

    • Copywriting

      Always pushing the brief further to create content that converts.

  • Digital
    • SEO

      Helping you stay ahead of ever-changing search engine algorithms.

    • Paid Media

      Drive conversions from relevant customers using the right messaging.

    • PPC

      A clear ad strategy that drives sales and always pays off for your brand.

    • Paid Social

      Delivering unforgettable brand experiences directly to your audience.

    • Organic Social

      Taking on your social channels to keep you well ahead of the game.

  • Web
    • Web Design

      Cutting-edge websites that reflect your brand and make an impact.

    • Web Development

      Functional web solutions that will drive your business forward.

    • Ecommerce

      Developing impactful and secure solutions that drive traffic and sales.

    • UX and CRO

      Using best practices and user behaviour to create an effective user journey.

  • Blog
  • About
GET IN TOUCH
Black instagram icon facebook-f-brands-black black twitter icon black linkedin icon black youtube icon
November 5, 2021

M&S and John Lewis kick off the race for our favourite Christmas ads of 2021

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun. John Lewis and M&S have given us an early present to celebrate by releasing their festive ad campaigns a week earlier than usual.

Since they launched their first ad in 2007, the John Lewis Christmas advert has become somewhat of a tradition for us here in the U.K. and is a sure sign that Christmas is fast approaching. This year, for their 2021 campaign they’ve given us an out-of-this-world experience. The two-minute film, titled “Unexpected Guest” sees Skye - an alien - crash land into the woods only to be discovered by Nathan, a young boy who introduces himself with his light-up Christmas jumper. It’s all very cute. During their time together Nathan shows Skye a collection of his festive family traditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTttgc0DPA4&t=1s&ab_channel=JohnLewis

They decorate a tree, eat mince pies, throw snowballs, watch a Christmas film and in the end he even gifts her a Christmas jumper. It’s a real modern love story.

John Lewis said they wanted to remind us all of the magic of experiencing Christmas for the first time. After so many of us missed out on our festive traditions last year, we all needed something to enlighten our holiday spirit for 2021. And with its tagline of “a Christmas as magical as your first”, this ad does just that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlem-MOMZOs&ab_channel=M%26S

Marks & Spencer have dubbed this Christmas their biggest ever and launched two marketing campaigns on the same day. M&S Clothing launched a musical advert encouraging customers to have an "anything but ordinary" Christmas. M&S Food also brought Percy Pig to life for the first time to celebrate the launch of its new Christmas food range.

In the ad, the M&S store closes for the night, meaning it's time for Dawn’s festive fairy to wake up. She drops her wand on a present with Percy Pig wrapping paper and this causes Percy to come to life for the first time. Percy then excitedly follows the fairy around the store, using his newfound voice (Tom Holland of Spiderman fame, in case you were wondering) to ask about the food on offer. We love it a lot.

M&S Food director of marketing Sharry Cramond said the company felt a particular need to try and bring some magic to people's Christmas celebrations, especially when so many festive plans didn’t turn out as expected last year. We reckon they’ve absolutely done that for 2021.

We’ve loved having a little bit of normality back in our lives this festive season, and our ecommerce photography work with M&S Home has definitely got us into the Christmas spirit too.  

With a range of brands releasing their holiday ads as we head towards the big day, here’s a roundup of some of our favourites:

Disney - The Stepdad

Disney really tugged at our heartstrings with this beautiful family-centred ad. Get the tissues out, we mean it. 

Matalan - Real Moments, Real Magic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCHK8rWMAyc

For 2021, Matalan are celebrating the little things that make Christmas, Christmas and feature loads of unbelievably cute moments wrapped up into their 30 second ad.

Boots - Bags Of Joy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-CM_yPJDD0&ab_channel=BootsUK

Magic handbags? Check. An eyelashed snowman? Check, Check. Mary Poppins at Christmas? Check, Check, Check. 

Sports Direct - Go All Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPaZ8EgO4C0&ab_channel=SportsDirect

England’s Euros heroes are the stars of the show for the sportswear retailer, but keep an eye out for Emma Raducanu and Big Narstie’s cameos.

Hobbycraft - Craft Together This Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04JXpA7WnRk&ab_channel=Hobbycraft

Hobbycraft encourage us to focus on the joys of crafting little details this Christmas with an ad soundtracked by indie band The Dunwells.

Etsy - Our Santa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MsuUKR5njM&ab_channel=Etsy

Etsy serve us a powerful short story of a boy who spots his granddad feeling underrepresented in traditional festive iconography, with a real beautiful ending.

TK Maxx - Christmas To The Maxx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7W7w-eO-aE&ab_channel=TKMaxx

TK Maxx channeled their inner Jack Black in School of Rock for their advert this year, with an ad that finishes on a massive singalong accessorised by a pair of fabulous boots. Watch the full two minute version, you’ll love it.

Looking for a multichannel agency that can adapt to any brief? seventy7 can help you with any last-minute Christmas campaigns for your brand, find out how here. 

seventy7-blog-logo Seventy7
Share
Can marketers reduce Super Bowl ad cost through YouTube?
The Black Friday Agony Aunt
On Your Doorstep: World Class Multichannel Marketing in Manchester

Work with us

We’d love to hear about your challenge. Let’s Plan. Create. Optimise. together

Help us understand your needs, fill out the form below and we’ll make sure the right person gets back to you.

Find Our Offices

Manchester

Manchester
The Old School House,
Thirsk St.
Ardwick Green, Manchester
M12 6PN
+44 (0) 20 7751 8600hello@seventy7group.com

Get Directions
London

London
The Piper Building
Peterborough Road,
London,
SW6 3EF
+44 (0) 20 7751 8600hello@seventy7group.com

Get Directions
Mumbai

03, Siddhi CHS Ltd,
Mhada Malad East near Wageshwari Temple,
Khadakpada,
(W) Mumbai
400097

+44 (0) 20 7751 8600hello@seventy7group.com

Get Directions
Useful links
  • Webproof
  • Rackstation
  • Webmail
  • Careers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
csr
White Instagram Icon White Facebook icon White Twitter icon White LinkedIn Icon White Youtube Icon
Copyright © 2022