Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas advert from three decades ago.
The fizzy drinks brand has added a modern twist to its iconic ‘Holidays Are Coming’ advert which has been playing on screens since 1995.
A new 16-second version of the advert, which hit TV screens earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and shots of red Coca-Cola lorries making their way through a wintry town.
But, whereas the original used real actors and two tonne trucks decked with christmas lights, this year’s ad has been developed solely using AI, meaning that none of the shots were actually filmed on location.
The company said the new commercial was an ‘efficient’ way of saving time and money and has already proved to be a hit with audiences.
Javier Meza, the EU chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola, said the company wanted to adapt to ‘today’s times’, with the use of a more diverse cast and AI technology.
He told Marketing Week: ‘We didn’t start by saying: ‘OK, we need to do this with AI,’
‘The brief was, we want to bring Holidays Are Coming into the present and then we explored AI as a solution to that.’
Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas advert from three decades ago
A new 16-second version of the advert, which hit TV screens earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and shots of red Coca-Cola lorries making their way through a wintry town
The trucks are seen passing through a town of jubilant onlookers and even passing by a pair of polar bears
The advert sees the same iconic red Coca-Cola trucks making their way through a wintry landscape through a town of jubilant onlookers and even passing by a pair of polar bears.
Meanwhile, the original version of the beloved ad starts with with a young boy running to ring a bell in the middle of a snowy evening.
This alerts his town to the droves of lit-up Coca-Cola trucks driving into the centre as crowds gather to marvel at the exciting display.
Bright lights and music fill the square and onlookers soak up the atmosphere.
In one heartfelt moment, a father lifts his daughter up on his shoulders and they both share a smile watching the trucks go by as the excitable jingle plays in the background.
The closing shot is a nostalgic snap of Santa Claus taking a sip from his glass Coke bottle.
Mr Meza said the company considers it a ‘privilege’ that the original advert has become ‘part of people’s life’.
He said: ‘Having such a piece of communication that becomes part of people’s life is a privilege. Not all brands have that privilege and it’s something that we take very seriously.’
Whereas the original used real actors and two tonne trucks decked with christmas lights, this year’s ad has been developed solely using AI ,
The advert at one point sees Santa Claus handing a bottle of Coca-Cola over to a jubilant onlooker
None of the people featured in the new ad are real actors, they were all generated using AI
A Coca-Cola spokesman told The Telegraph: ‘Coca-Cola’s exciting venture into AI-generated storytelling demonstrates Coca-Cola’s commitment to embracing innovation, leveraging our collaborations with top creative and technology partners, while staying true to its core values: spreading happiness and creating real magic!’
Coca Cola’s ad comes just days after Lidl has rivalled the billion dollar company by introducing its very own red truck for Christmas.
The supermarket chain has long been known for cheekily copying big household names and offering a budget alternative – and is up to its old tricks once again with a festive special.
Now, it’s been inspired by Coca Cola’s famous red truck to go on tour and spread festive cheer, signalling that Christmas is right round the corner.
The giant 15-tonne Freeway cola truck is set to tour the UK across nine cities, where it will grant festive wishes, give away more than 2,000 present boxes and food samples.
They’ve also launched another Christmas advert, in which cheery employee Nick drives the shiny red vehicle to bring people ‘truck loads of magic, under budget’.
The presents will include items from the ‘middle of Lidl’ aisle – with one in 10 containing a ‘golden ticket’ to give customers the opportunity to win their Christmas food shop.
Even after the tour, visitors can submit a ‘Christmas wish’, which the supermarket will grant to a select few.
Lidl has rivalled Coca Cola by introducing its very own red truck for Christmas
The giant 15-tonne Freeway cola truck is set to tour the UK across nine cities
Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB, commented ‘Giving back to the communities we serve is really important to us and our exciting new Freeway truck allows us to get right into the heart of them this year.
‘By touring nine stops across the country, we’ll be using our giant truck to hand out present boxes, give away festive food shops and grant wishes that will make dreams come true.
‘Look out for the Freeway truck on its tour and most importantly, come join the fun.’
Lidl’s Freeway truck will tour Great Britain from November 14 to December 1, visiting nine stops: Dundee, Harrogate, Hul