Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas advert from three decades ago.
The soft drinks brand has added a modern twist to its iconic ‘Holidays Are Coming’ advert which has been running on screens since 1995.
A new 16-second version of the ad, which hit TV screens earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and shots of red Coca-Cola trucks driving through a wintery city.
But, while the original used real actors and two-ton trucks festooned with Christmas lights, this year’s ad was developed solely using AI, meaning none of the shots were actually filmed.
The company said the new commercial was an “efficient” way to save time and money and has already proven to be a hit with audiences.
Javier Meza, Coca-Cola’s EU marketing director, said the company wanted to adapt to “today’s times”, with the use of a more diverse cast and artificial intelligence technology.
he said Marketing week: ‘We don’t start by saying, ‘Okay, we have to do this with AI.’
“The message was that we wanted to bring Holidays Are Coming into the present and then we explored AI as a solution for that.”
Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas ad from three decades ago
A new 16-second version of the ad, which hit TV screens earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and shots of red Coca-Cola trucks driving through a wintery city.
The trucks are seen driving past a village of jubilant spectators and even passing by a pair of polar bears.
The ad shows the same iconic red Coca-Cola trucks making their way through a winter landscape through a city of jubilant spectators and even passing by a pair of polar bears.
Meanwhile, the original version of the beloved ad begins with a child running to ring a bell in the middle of a snowy afternoon.
This alerts your city to the hordes of illuminated Coca-Cola trucks arriving downtown as crowds gather to marvel at the exciting display.
Bright lights and music fill the square and spectators soak up the atmosphere.
In a touching moment, a father lifts his daughter on his shoulders and they share a smile watching the trucks pass by while the exciting jingle plays in the background.
The final shot is a nostalgic snapshot of Santa Claus taking a sip from his glass Coca-Cola bottle.
Meza said the company considers it a “privilege” that the original ad has become “part of people’s lives.”
He said: ‘Having such a media outlet become part of people’s lives is a privilege. Not all brands have that privilege and it is something we take very seriously.”
While the original used real actors and two-tonne trucks festooned with Christmas lights, this year’s ad has been developed solely using AI.
At one point in the ad, Santa Claus is seen handing a bottle of Coca-Cola to a jubilant viewer.
None of the people who appear in the new ad are real actors, they were all generated by AI.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson told The Telegraph: “Coca-Cola’s exciting venture into AI-generated storytelling demonstrates Coca-Cola’s commitment to embracing innovation, leveraging our collaborations with leading creative and technology partners, while stays true to its core values: spreading happiness and creating true magic!’
Coca Cola’s announcement comes just days after Lidl rivaled the multibillion-dollar company by introducing its own red truck for Christmas.
The supermarket chain has long been known for shamelessly copying big household names and offering a budget alternative, and it’s doing the same again with a festive special.
Now, he has been inspired by the famous red Coca Cola truck to go on tour and spread festive cheer, signaling that Christmas is just around the corner.
The giant 15-tonne Freeway cola truck will tour the UK through nine cities, granting festive wishes, giving away more than 2,000 gift boxes and food samples.
They also released another Christmas ad, in which cheerful employee Nick drives the bright red vehicle to bring people “truckloads of magic, under budget.”
The giveaways will include items from the “middle aisle of Lidl”, with one in 10 containing a “golden ticket” to give customers the chance to win their Christmas groceries.
Even after the visit, visitors can send a “Christmas wish”, which the supermarket will grant to a select few.
Lidl rivals Coca Cola by presenting its own red truck for Christmas
Giant 15-tonne Freeway cola truck to tour nine UK cities
Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB, commented: “Giving back to the communities we serve is very important to us and our exciting new Freeway truck allows us to get right to the heart of them this year.”
‘Taking nine stops across the country, we’ll use our giant truck to deliver gift boxes, give away holiday food stores, and grant wishes that make dreams come true.
“Keep an eye out for the Freeway truck on its way and most importantly, join in the fun.”
Lidl’s Freeway truck will travel around Britain from November 14 to December 1, visiting nine stops: Dundee, Harrogate, Hul