Best Ads of the Week: Stop-motion Starbucks magic & Adidas’s Shakespearean street style

This week, Disney reimagined friendship with a festive octopus tale, John Lewis wrapped up its sisterhood trilogy and EE celebrated gamer rituals with stylish “battle stations.”

John Lewis: The Gifting Hour by Saatchi & Saatchi

John Lewis has unveiled the final chapter of its festive trilogy by Saatchi & Saatchi with ‘The Gifting Hour,’ a nostalgic tale of sisterhood soundtracked by The Verve’s Sonnet. The ad follows Sally, a last-minute shopper who stumbles into a magical journey through her childhood memories while searching for the perfect gift for her sister. The emotional narrative, paired with John Lewis’s first-ever use of an original song instead of a cover, highlights the enduring bond between siblings. To coincide with the ad, a TikTok contest invites users to cover Sonnet, with the winner featured in a special Christmas Day airing and receiving a prize package including a professional recording session and proceeds benefiting charity. Designed to build long-term brand equity, the campaign has been predicted by Kantar to foster strong viewer affinity for the retailer.

Target: Kris from Target by Mythology

Target’s holiday campaign, launching November 17, introduces ‘Kris from Target,’ a charismatic, Santa-like team member bringing humor and holiday cheer to festive shopping. In the campaign’s hero ad, Kris navigates a snowy landscape in a red Bronco, delivering North Pole vibes to Target aisles. Shorter spots add playful twists, including a shopper’s amusing realization that “Santa Claus is real… and weirdly hot.” Created by Target Creative and Mythology, with distribution by EssenceMediacom, the campaign runs alongside the nostalgic ‘Happier Holidays’ series. Together, the ads blend humor, whimsy and cinematic charm across TV, streaming and social platforms.

EE: Battle Stations by Saatchi & Saatchi

EE’s latest ad, Battle Stations, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, dives into the world of gaming, showcasing how personalized setups reflect each gamer’s unique style. Set to Underworld’s Cowgirl, the film stars influencers Danny Aarons and Imangelikaa, whose immersive gaming spaces transform everyday settings into creative “battle stations.” The campaign highlights EE’s curated gaming bundles, emphasizing that the right kit can elevate any player’s experience. Running across BVOD, VOD, social media and digital audio, with placements on platforms such as Channel 4 and Twitch, the campaign celebrates British gaming culture, rituals and individuality while reinforcing EE’s ambition to be the UK’s go-to destination for gaming gear.

Genexa: Mama Bear by Milestone

Genexa, the ‘clean’ medicine brand co-founded by David Johnson and Max Spielberg, has launched its ‘Mama Bear’ campaign, aiming to resonate with health-conscious parents concerned about artificial additives in children’s medications. Narrated by actor and investor Nikki Reed, the ads feature a protective mother figure advocating for transparency in over-the-counter remedies. The campaign highlights Genexa’s filler-free Kids’ Pain & Fever acetaminophen, blending heartfelt storytelling with a bold push for healthier options. Created with Milestone, the campaign spans connected TV, YouTube and social media, reinforcing Genexa’s mission to align with parents’ values and lead a shift in expectations for family health products.

Le Chameau: A Christmas Walk by Calling

Le Chameau’s latest Christmas campaign, crafted by London agency Calling, celebrates the tradition of festive walks that reconnect individuals with nature and each other. The ad portrays a couple setting aside their phones to embark on an adventure, rediscovering the world around them and their relationship. Narrated with the evocative words of WB Yeats’s The Song of Wandering Aengus, the campaign emphasizes the joy of shared experiences over material consumption during the holiday season. This narrative aligns with Le Chameau’s focus on quality footwear designed for outdoor exploration.

T-Mobile: Mahomes & Snoop Say Hello to iPhone 16 On US by Panay Films

T-Mobile is kicking off the holiday season with a spirited campaign starring NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes and cultural icon Snoop Dogg. Created with Panay Films, the campaign promotes T-Mobile’s offer of a free iPhone 16 with an eligible trade-in. The 30-second ad features Snoop narrating Mahomes’s visit to a bustling T-Mobile store, humorously likening the moment to “peanut butter on jelly on gold.” The campaign also includes streamer Kai Cenat to appeal to younger audiences and continues the duo’s collaboration after a previous campaign highlighting Apple products. This marks Mahomes’s third ad with T-Mobile in his two-year partnership, while Snoop has been a recurring face for the brand since his 2017 Super Bowl debut.

Disney: The Boy & The Octopus by Adam&EveDDB

Disney’s annual holiday campaign, created by Adam&EveDDB, tells the touching story of a young boy who forms a surprising bond with an octopus during a seaside vacation. Soundtracked by a live orchestral rendition of Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid, the ad captures the octopus’s longing to explore life on land as the boy welcomes his new friend into his world. Directed by Academy Award-winner Taika Waititi, known for Apple’s ‘The Lost Voice’ ad, the spot blends humor and heart, showcasing Disney’s hallmark of emotive storytelling. It will run across EMEA on YouTube this season.

Starbucks: Drink In, Breathe Out by TBWA\London

Starbucks’ latest festive campaign, crafted by TBWA\London, uses a blend of 3D sets, stop-motion, and 2D animation to capture the joyful chaos of Christmastime. The short film follows a man navigating the season’s busyness – from parties to supermarkets – highlighting Starbucks drinks as a much-needed moment of rest. Creative director Lauren Coates praised the campaign’s meticulous craftsmanship, from miniature red cups to intricately animated characters. Rolling out across EMEA, the ad brings a magical and tactile quality to the brand’s holiday storytelling.

Adidas x CP Company

Adidas has partnered with Italian sportswear brand CP Company to celebrate a decade of Adidas Spezial with a campaign blending art, culture and UK street style. Featuring Top Boy star Ashley Walters, actor Stephen Graham and music icon Goldie alongside graphic designer Robert Brooks and jeweler Toby McLellan, the film reimagines Shakespeare against a graffiti backdrop, highlighting Adidas’s British influence. Directed by Nick Griffiths and photographed by Kevin Cummins, the campaign bridges classic and contemporary aesthetics, showcasing the enduring cultural impact of Adidas Spezial.

O2: Snowing Sim by Good Things Foundation

O2 has unveiled a poignant campaign addressing data poverty, which affects around two million UK households. The film portrays real-life struggles, including a young man unable to study due to limited data, a father and daughter missing out on shared moments and a woman struggling to connect with loved ones. Highlighting Virgin Media O2’s National Databank, developed with the Good Things Foundation, the ad features striking visuals of sim card-shaped snowflakes symbolizing connection and hope. Created by VCCP’s Girl&Bear studio and directed by Stefanie Soho, the campaign aims to raise awareness about free O2 mobile data available to those in need, set to the heartfelt tune Snowfall by Ingrid Michaelson.

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