Wanna impress your boss while not even thinking about the job?
Then snuggle up, buttercup! It’s that time of year for getting cozy under a super fluffy blanket with a mug of hot cider (or, if you’re like me, a glass of warm mulled wine), some popcorn, and nothing but twinkling lights and the TV screen illuminating the den floor.
Whether you’re reveling in some me-time or gathering with the fam and friends, there’s nothing like a snow day spent watching a marathon of favorite holiday classic films. And yet – oh, clever you! – not only do you get to soak in the nostalgia to reinforce the holiday spirit, but you’re also getting ahead by learning some valuable marketing tips. (Who says working in marketing isn’t fun? NOT I!)
The pack is sharing our must-watch lists for the season, included with the marketing moral of the stories. Ohhh, the lights are dimming! Shhhh!!!
Table of Contents
Best Holiday Movies for Watching (& Working!)
- A Muppet Family Christmas – Brought to you by Nissa
Lesson: Collaboration and Cross-Promotion Jingle Together
Ever wondered what happens when Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang throw a holiday bash? A Muppet Family Christmas isn’t just a festive delight; it’s a masterclass in collaboration. Imagine your favorite Muppet characters, each representing a unique aspect of your brand, coming together in perfect harmony. This represents how blending different marketing strengths can create a campaign that resonates more powerfully with your audience.
In our digital marketing wonderland, this translates to joining forces with other brands or influencers to create a marketing melody that will have your audience rocking around the living room tree. Find that perfect harmony between different brands, mixing, mingling, and merging strengths to create something that’s a full-on marketing choral ensemble!
- Die Hard – Courtesy of Wes
Lesson: The Yippee-Ki-Yay of Being Bold and Different
Now, let’s talk about a holiday flick that’s as unconventional as they come – Die Hard. (Jake Peralta of Brooklyn 99 + Wes has convinced me.) Not your typical sleigh bells and snowflakes story, but boy, does it pack a punch in the Christmas classic lineup. And just like John McClane, it’s time for digital marketers to channel their inner action hero.
Being bold and different in the marketing world is like wearing a Santa hat at a Halloween party – it’s unexpected, it’s bold, and by jove, does it get people talking! (Just ask The Pumpkin King!) So why not be the Die Hard of your industry? Break out of the cookie-cutter mold and take some creative leaps.
Whether it’s a campaign that’s more surprising than finding out Santa’s real, or a brand voice that’s as distinct as a Christmas carol in July, the goal is to turn heads and keep eyes glued.
- ELF – Delivered by Derek & Chris
Lesson: Serving Up a Slice of Authenticity with a Dash of Joy
Buddy the Elf, with his unbridled enthusiasm and heart the size of the North Pole, isn’t just a holiday cheermeister; he’s a beacon of authenticity and joy. And guess what? Your brand can channel its inner Buddy too!
When Buddy meets someone, he doesn’t just offer a generic greeting; he gives a tailor-made, sparkly-eyed, elf-sized welcome. That’s your cue to sprinkle some of that personalization magic into your marketing. Make your audience feel like they’re opening the perfect gift, one that’s been chosen just for them.
- Best Man Holiday – Put on display by Nik
Lesson: Stirring Up the Sweet Melodies of Nostalgia
When Best Man Holiday hit the screens, it was like a reunion with old friends, rekindling memories and emotions from the original film. Now, imagine your brand doing the same – evoking that warm, fuzzy feeling of nostalgia. It’s like sipping a hot chocolate that reminds you of winter afternoons at Grandma’s house.
Nostalgia in marketing is like a time machine. It takes your audience back to those good ol’ days, creating a bond that’s as strong as the one you have with your favorite holiday movie.
So, why not whisk your audience down memory lane? This approach is about connecting on a deeper emotional level, sharing universally with your audience the joys of the past and making them part of your brand’s story.
- The Grinch – Emma’s curated choice
Lesson: Unwrapping the Gift of Audience Understanding
Just as the Grinch learned to understand the Whos beyond their love for roast beast and singing, marketers need to really familiarize themselves with audience insights.
It’s more than just knowing they that like Who-pudding and roast beast; it’s understanding the whys of their choices, the hows of their habits, and the whats of their wishes. By really getting to know your audience – beyond age or location, onto hopes, dreams, and even their fears – you can tailor your campaigns as perfectly as the Grinch did his Santa suit.
Listen to customer feedback like it’s the Ghost of Christmas Present whispering in your ear, your audience’s hearts will grow three sizes that day!
- Home Alone – As suggested by Topher
Lesson: Decking the Halls with Innovation and Self-Sufficiency
Young Mr. McCallister wasn’t just defending his house; he was a one-kid wonder of innovation and self-sufficiency – key ingredients for any marketer’s fruitcake. In the marketing world, we all face our own version of the Wet Bandits, and it’s our job to outsmart them with our wits and creativity.
So, what’s your paint can swinging from the staircase? Find unique, clever ways to engage with your audience like Kevin’s memorable tactics. Maybe it’s a tech gadget as cool as a talkboy, maybe it’s a campaign as unexpected as a tarantula on the face. Whatever you choose, it’s about using the resources you have in ingenious ways.
And I personally just love the visual of booby-trapping your way to success.
Honorable Mentions: A List Crafted by the Marketing Elves
- Christmas with the Kranks
Lesson: The Yuletide Twist of Flexibility and Adaptability
When the Kranks decide to ditch the holly-jolly for a cruise, they end up navigating a storm of festive frenzy. Sounds like your last-minute marketing campaign, right?
Whether it’s tweaking a tweet or overhauling an entire campaign, being able to pivot on a peppermint is key. It’s about being ready to decorate the tree, even if it’s Christmas Eve. So, when the market throws a snowball your way, catch it and make a snowman!
- It’s a Wonderful Life
Lesson: Weaving a Tapestry of Social Responsibility into Your Brand
We’re going back to Bedford Falls where we’re shown that true success is about more than monetary gain. This timeless tale whispers to us marketers about the art of weaving social responsibility into the very fabric of our brands.
Imagine your brand as George Bailey, touching lives and making a difference. It’s about more than just selling a product; it’s about being a guardian angel for your community. Whether supporting a local charity, championing sustainable practices, or standing up for ethical values, it’s these actions that sculpt a brand legacy as beloved as this classic film.
Craft a brand story that’s not just about what you do, but who you help and how you make the world a bit brighter.
- Krampus
Lesson: The Chilling Importance of Audience Feedback
Now that we’re riding high on the good feels, let’s take a sleigh ride into the darker side of Christmas and ditch the usual jingle bell rock for a jingle bell shock! But hold onto your reindeer games, because this eerie tale has some crucial marketing wisdom: the art of listening to your audience.
Just as the characters in Krampus learn the hard way about consequences, marketers need to tune into their audience’s feedback. This means keeping an ear to the ground (or the chimney) for what they love, what they don’t, and everything in between. So, don’t end up on the naughty list; instead, listen, respond, and keep your campaigns merry, bright, and fright-free!
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
Lesson: Embracing Unique Brand Identity and Cross-Seasonal Marketing
Last but not least, let’s creep down the cobwebbed lanes of Halloween Town, where Jack Skellington teaches us a bone-chillingly brilliant marketing lesson. Not your usual tales of ghouls and ghosts, The Nightmare Before Christmas instructs on embracing your unique brand identity while daring to explore new horizons.
Jack, the Pumpkin King, is the epitome of a brand fully owning its niche – he’s all about Halloween, and he does it spooktacularly well. But then he takes a leap, showing the daring side of brand exploration.
So mix and match, blend and blur, and create marketing campaigns that are as unexpectedly wonderful as a skeleton singing Christmas carols!
The Closing Credits on Marketing Tips
As the last names roll off the TV, we hope you’re leaving with more than just a heart full of holiday cheer. More than just a way to pass a welcome evening in, these flicks are a Christmas Day-sized pile of marketing wisdom waiting to be unwrapped.
With the leftover dregs marshmallow melting away in ironically tepid hot cocoa remnants, let the glow of your screen inspire you. Whether you’re more of a Buddy the Elf or a George Bailey in your marketing style, the key is to keep your campaigns merry, bright, and full of delight. Because in the world of marketing, every day is a chance to create your own holiday special.
And who knows? Your next campaign might just be the next big holiday classic!
“Oh, Kermie, that was a reel-y good blog!”
