Coca-Cola issues iconic ‘Holidays are Coming’ Christmas advert using AI – but can YOU spot what’s different?

Coca-Cola has used artificial intelligence to reinvent its iconic Christmas advert from three decades ago.

The soft drinks brand has put a modern twist on the iconic ‘Holidays Are Coming’ advert that has been on screens since 1995.

A new 16-second version of the ad, which debuted on TV earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and images of red Coca-Cola trucks winding their way through a wintry town.

But while the original used real actors and two-ton trucks with Christmas lights, this year’s ad was developed solely using AI, meaning none of the footage was actually filmed on location.

The company said the new commercial was an “efficient” way to save time and money and has already proven to be a hit with audiences.

Javier Meza, EU Chief Marketing Officer at Coca-Cola, said the company wanted to adapt to “today’s times”, using a more diverse cast and AI technology.

He told it Marketing week: ‘We didn’t start by saying, ‘Okay, we need to do this with AI,’

‘The assignment was: we want to bring Holidays Are Coming into the present and then we investigated AI as a solution for this.’

A new 16-second version of the ad, which debuted on TV earlier this week, features the same iconic tune and footage of red Coca-Cola trucks making their way through a wintry town

You see the trucks drive through a city of cheering spectators and even pass a few polar bears

In the ad, we see the same iconic red Coca-Cola trucks making their way through a winter landscape, past a city of cheering spectators and even past a few polar bears.

Meanwhile, the original version of the beloved ad opens with a young boy running to ring a bell in the middle of a snowy evening.

This alerts his city to the throngs of lighted Coca-Cola trucks rolling into downtown as crowds gather to marvel at the exciting display.

Bright lights and music fill the square and spectators enjoy the atmosphere.

In a heartfelt moment, a father lifts his daughter onto his shoulders and they both laugh as they watch the trucks drive by while the exciting jingle plays in the background.

The closing shot is a nostalgic photo of Santa Claus taking a sip from his glass Coke bottle.

Mr Meza said the company considers it a “privilege” that the original ad has become “part of people’s lives.”

He said: ‘It’s a privilege to have such a piece of communication that becomes part of people’s lives. Not all brands have that privilege and it’s something we take very seriously.”

While the original used real actors and two-ton trucks decorated with Christmas lights, this year’s ad was developed solely using AI.

At one point in the ad, Santa Claus hands a bottle of Coca-Cola to a cheering onlooker

None of the people in the new ad are real actors, they are all generated using AI

A Coca-Cola spokesperson told The Telegraph: ‘Coca-Cola’s exciting venture into AI-generated storytelling demonstrates Coca-Cola’s commitment to embracing innovation, leveraging our partnerships with the best creative and technology partners, while staying true to its core values: spreading happiness and creating real magic!’

The Coca Cola advert comes just days after Lidl matched the multi-billion dollar company by introducing its own red truck for Christmas.

The supermarket chain has long been known for brazenly copying big household names and offering a budget alternative – and is up to its old tricks again with a festive special.

Now he’s inspired by Coca Cola’s famous red truck to go on tour and spread festive cheer, signaling that Christmas is just around the corner.

The giant 15-ton Freeway coke truck will tour nine cities across Britain, granting festive wishes and giving away more than 2,000 gift boxes and food samples.

They’ve also launched another Christmas advert, with cheerful employee Nick driving the shiny red vehicle to bring people ‘truckloads of magic, on budget’.

The gifts will include items from the ‘middle of Lidl’ aisle – with one in ten containing a ‘golden ticket’ to give customers the chance to win their Christmas shop.

Even after the tour, visitors can submit a ‘Christmas wish’, which the supermarket will grant to a select group.

Lidl has matched Coca Cola by introducing its own red truck for Christmas

The giant 15-ton Freeway coke truck will tour nine cities across Britain

Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB, said: ‘Giving back to the communities we serve is very important to us and with our exciting new Freeway truck we can get right into their hearts this year.

‘Touring nine stops across the country, we will use our giant truck to hand out gift boxes, give away festive food shops and grant wishes that make dreams come true.

“Look for the Freeway truck on its tour and, most importantly, come and enjoy it.”

Lidl’s Freeway truck will tour Britain from November 14 to December 1, visiting nine stops: Dundee, Harrogate, Hul