It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and there are tons of seasonal specials to prove it. From Justin Beiber’s Christmas album (which we are publicly admitting we love!) to seasonal beverages, from ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas to shopping mall Santas…everywhere you look there are signs of the season. We noticed two particularly festive ad campaigns that are just too cool to go unmentioned – and they both deal with caffeinated beverages! Because honestly, how are you going to get through all that shopping without an extra-hot triple venti white peppermint latte? Tis the season!
Starbucks Red Cups – now, with magic!
Starbucks didn’t waste any time in rolling out their famous “red cups” for the 2011 holiday season. The cups premiered on November 3rd, just in time to be filled with Thanksgiving seasonal favorites like Pumpkin Spice lattes and Salted Caramel mochas. In December, those cups are now filled with more Christmas-y concoctions – Eggnog and Gingerbread lattes, Peppermint Dark Chocolate mochas, and more. Perhaps it’s the fact that caffeine helps us get through hours of Christmas shopping in crowded malls, or perhaps everything feels just a little bit more festive with a seasonal drink, but there’s no doubt that these cups are wildly popular.
New this year, since cups alone aren’t high-tech enough for ever-trendy Starbucks – your red cup is magic. Yes. Magic. Simply download the “Starbucks Cup Magic” app for your Android or iPhone, point your phone camera at your red cup, and watch your cup come to life. There are a five different characters and various animated scenes triggered by the character on your cup which you can interact with, post to Facebook, and “collect”. You can even uncover extra content by finding characters in the holidays displays at Starbucks stores.
Coca Cola Makes the “Nice” List
When you picture Santa Claus, chances are you picture a large, rosy-cheeked man in a red suit lined with white fur. Ever notice how his ensemble goes quite well with a traditional can of Coca Cola? No coincidence! Believe it or not, the image of Santa that most of us know and love was first introduced in 1931 in Coca Cola Christmas ad campaigns, and ever since, Coke has really stepped it up for the holidays. Throughout the years, the company has produced special seasonal bottles and cans featuring various characters including Santa, elves, and since 1992, polar bears.
This year, Coca Cola has partnered with WWF (the World Wildlife Federation) to help product their popular icon. Look for the polar bear holiday Coke can on shelves this season, which urge drinkers to join in the fight to conserve polar bear habitats in the High Arctic by participating in a “text-to-donate” program to WWF. Coca Cola will match all donated funds up to $1 million in addition to the company’s initial $2 million dollar donation. Note: the first batch of both Diet Coke and Coke are being produced in silver cans for the polar bear campaign – so be sure to read carefully! Cans of regular Coke are now back to traditional red (with polar bears) due to customer confusion.
So get out there, grab a coffee and some Coke, and tackle your “nice” list gift-buying. And, while you’re at it, use your smartphone to view elves sledding on your coffee cup while you text to save the polar bears!
…. Sound crazy? Nope, sounds like Christmas 2011 to us!
Merry Christmas from all of us at Delicious Buzz!
