Target’s new winter worker is hot, mysterious & Santa-ish. Meet ‘Kris from Target’
Target’s new holiday ads introduce consumers to a mysteriously handsome team member from the North Pole who brings a dash of charm and whimsy to the busiest shopping season of the year.
Target’s holiday campaign kicks off on November 17, decking the halls with a festive twist that’s bound to turn heads.
Introducing ‘Kris from Target,’ a fictional team member who embodies holiday cheer with a touch of mystery—and, as it turns out, a surprising resemblance to Santa himself. Kris brings charisma to a series of lighthearted ads, reminding viewers that the holiday shopping rush doesn’t have to be all stress and checklists.
The campaign’s hero ad sets the scene: Kris drives a bright red Bronco through a snowy landscape with reindeer nearby, bringing North Pole vibes straight to Target’s aisles. Decked out in Target red with a beard just shy of Santa-status, Kris is here to make holiday shopping memorable—and maybe even fun.
The brand’s YouTube description sets the tone: “Meet Kris, our newest Target Team Member. He loves the holidays as much as the next guy. Actually, way more than the next guy. Actually, way more than anyone we know.”
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The humor continues with shorter spots. In one 15-second ad, a shopper searching for a holiday turkey spots Kris and realizes with a mix of disbelief and amusement, “Santa Claus is real… and he’s weirdly hot,” she whispers over the phone.
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“Kris is always joyful, helpful, charismatic, funny and whimsical and emphasizes exactly how Target’s store team members play a defining role in its unique Target guest experience throughout the holiday season,” explained Lisa Roath, Target’s executive vice-president and chief marketing officer.
The campaign is part of Target’s broader holiday strategy, which also includes the ‘Happier Holidays’ campaign launched earlier in the month. While Kris from Target aims to bring humor and personality to in-store experiences, Happier Holidays taps into nostalgia, with cinematic visuals and Griff’s cover of “Pure Imagination.”
Developed by Target Creative in collaboration with Mythology, and distributed by EssenceMediacom, the campaigns run across TV, streaming, social media and short-form video, with an array of 30-, 15- and six-second spots.
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