The holidays have always inspired memorable ads, drawing in customers as well as warming their hearts. For the month of December, we’ll be running a series of some of the best holiday advertisements.
Few people know that Coca-Cola actually created the modern depiction of Santa Claus. He wasn’t always the rotund, rosy, jolly man in the red suit. He was portrayed a multitude of ways, depending on the artist. It wasn’t until Coca-Cola hired artist Haddon Sundblom in 1931 that the Santa everyone knows and loves was brought to life. Previous Coca-Cola ads had depicted Santa as somewhat scary and strict-looking. The advertising executives asked Sundblom to create a Santa that was “wholesome, realistic, and symbolic”. Basing his first illustrations off of his neighbor, Sundblom designed the white-bearded, rosy-cheeked icon. Sundblom’s last Santa illustration was painted in 1964, but Coca-Cola has continued to use his depiction in their advertising, and the whole world has adopted this portrayal of Santa Claus.
Coca-Cola produced its first animated commercial in 2001, using the artwork from one of Sundblom’s 1963 illustrations. You can watch this iconic advertisement in the video below.
Be on the lookout for more of our favorite holiday advertisements as the season continues!
