Behind the windows of this very special Drum adVENT Calendar you’ll find a different member of the creative industry venting their feelings on a Christmas ad, or ads, they love or loathe. Today it’s INITIALS Marketing executive creative director, Nick Presley.
Let me be clear. I love Christmas. I love that there’s so much we moan about - family, weather, pissed people on trains, re-runs on the box, over-priced presents, the list of things we moan about is endless – but Christmas is an anchor point in our lives that deep down we all cherish.
Which brings me to the task at hand. Choose a festive ad I love or loathe.
Well the former is a bit thin on the ground this year, and paradoxically, so too is the latter. Don’t get me wrong – I think there’s a shedload of shite around this year, as well as well the odd beacon of proper festive cheer.
John Lewis, of course, is excused from the naughty step for obvious reasons. And Morrison’s - whether or not I like it (and on second helpings, I think I do) mums will appreciate the humour. And Sainsbury’s, just for the soulful soundtrack.
But just like my old mum’s mince pies, things are starting to dry up before the first crumb has hit my mouth (see, I love ‘em, but still moan about them). To get me in the mood I watched every ad, in every commercial break on ITV from 8.00-10.00pm last night. About 50 of them.