The arrival of 2024’s Christmas adverts has sparked widespread discussion among viewers and critics.
- These festive campaigns feature notable personalities like Dawn French and Adjoa Andoh.
- Experts have shared their takes on which adverts stood out this season.
- Some campaigns tugged at heartstrings while others leaned on nostalgia or humour.
- The favourite picks from the panel include efforts from John Lewis and Waitrose.
The 2024 Christmas adverts present a variety of creative approaches, leveraging celebrity appearances and beloved characters to capture the festive spirit. This year’s campaigns have been scrutinized by industry professionals, drawing mixed reactions.
Trevor Robinson expressed relief over the John Lewis advertisement, noting its successful emotional resonance and storytelling without feeling forcibly tied to the brand. He drew parallels between its character dynamics and popular culture narratives, enhancing relatability and emotional depth.
Sophie Bell found the Waitrose advert engaging, particularly appreciating its storyline, which she felt compelled to follow to the end. She noted the clever integration of food into the narrative, suggesting an original take that breaks from traditional festive ad tropes.
John Cherry complemented the blending of a familiar theme with fresh execution in the John Lewis advert. Despite wanting to ‘love it more,’ he admired its capacity to evoke emotions, although he remarked on its middle-class orientation.
The Sainsbury’s BFG-themed advert received varied feedback. Trevor found it lacking in surprise and magic, while Sophie enjoyed its nostalgic elements. John Cherry appreciated the craft and thematic fit, although he acknowledged it might not appeal broadly to an adult audience.
Aldi’s advertisement, featuring Kevin the Carrot, maintained a consistent format appreciated by many, yet left some feeling it lacked novelty. Despite this, John highlighted its ability to captivate children’s attention and maintain brand recognition.
Dawn French’s engaging performance resonated well within the M&S campaign, though opinions varied on the storyline’s overall impact. While Trevor found the ad charming, Sophie felt parts were generic despite high-quality production, and John critiqued the somewhat repetitive nature of Christmas food themes.
The extravagance of Morrisons’ musical number was noted, with opinions split on its charm. Trevor enjoyed its track and relatable message about the ‘Christmas cook,’ while Sophie found it delightful but questioned its reference to the muppets.
Tesco’s inventive use of a snow globe featured prominently in its campaign. Both Sophie and John considered it a playful, albeit predictable, mechanism to showcase products, offering a noteworthy visual and festive experience.
Boots’ ad, featuring Adjoa Andoh, stirred opinions about its execution. While Trevor questioned its connection to the brand, Sophie appreciated Andoh’s presence but noted that the brand was overshadowed by the ad’s vibrant dynamics. John enjoyed the playful ‘ladies do Christmas’ theme.
Lastly, each panellist’s top pick varied, with Trevor favouring John Lewis for its narrative strength, Sophie opting for Waitrose due to her investment in its storyline, and John also selecting Waitrose for its refreshing take on festive advertising.
The 2024 Christmas adverts provided diverse storytelling approaches, resulting in a range of viewer and critic responses.
