On a mission to further spread "Real Magic," Coca-Cola celebrated the importance of human connection during the holiday season with a cinematic film series that included "The Note" and "Ho Ho Heist" — part of Coca-Cola's wider Christmas campaign "The World Needs More Santas."
The Santa Stories
Real magic multiples when people embrace their inner Santa
Client
- Coca-Cola
Office
- New York
- London
Tapping into world-class Hollywood talent to create two short films offering fresh portraits of Santa Claus.
With these short films, we wanted to give more depth to Coca-Cola’s storytelling with authentic narratives we’ve not explored before. Santa is so interlinked with the history of Coca-Cola that we could see a wonderful opportunity to explore another imaginative dimension for what he represents that people don’t expect to see.
Islam El Dessouky
Global Head of Creative Strategy and Content, Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola was eager to re-enter the entertainment space during Christmas 2023. And being the brand that introduced the world to the jolly old Santa we all know, it was only Coca-Cola who could reinvent him.
Building on the success of our global advertising campaign "The World Needs More Santas," WPP Open X, led by VML, collaborated with Coca-Cola to create a two-episode short-film series, including "The Note" and "Ho Ho Heist." These films introduced audiences worldwide to characters who, at first glance, might not seem inclined to spread kindness during the holiday season. However, we showcased them by embodying the spirit of Santa so that even just a little bit, these characters could bring joy and goodwill to others.
"The Note" and "Ho Ho Heist" enlisted top Hollywood talent to breathe life into simple yet powerful stories, presenting them in a concise and impactful short film format.
From a member of an LA gang to a solitary Irish widower, each character starts their journey devoid of kindness. However, through the catalyst of a seemingly insignificant bottle of Coca-Cola, they discover the capacity for extraordinary acts of generosity and humanity.
Throughout their transformations, Coca-Cola was not just a component of the narrative but the driving force behind it.
As a result, the films earned a coveted spot on Amazon Prime's Christmas Carousel alongside beloved family holiday classics.
You can watch the films on Amazon’s Prime and Freevee platforms here.
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Awards
The ANDY Awards
2024
Craft Category
Press
Unwrapping 'The Santa Stories,' Coca-Cola's latest cinematic gift
The Drum
Coca-Cola Releases Two Santa-Focused Holiday Short FilmsAdweek
Octavia Spence and Directors Bryce Dallas Howard and Steven Caple Jr. Bring 'The Santa Stories' to the ScreenDeadline
Coca-Cola Enlists Hollywood Talent for Christmas ShortsMarketing Dive
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