Hit or Miss: The week in ads
From OpenAI’s heartwarming take on everyday kindness to Disney’s Christmas magic and Gucci’s Mariah Carey-led festive film, these campaigns bring the holiday season to life
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Published: Nov 14, 2026 8:55 AM | 10 min read
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- As the festive season approaches, brands are utilizing storytelling in their advertising campaigns to emphasize themes of celebration, generosity, and togetherness, moving beyond mere product showcases.
- Notable campaigns include OpenAI's "Kindness Maxxing," which highlights the role of AI in promoting kindness, and Google India's "Bebo's Day Out," featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan exploring Singapore with Android's AI features.
- Luxury brands like Dior, Prada, and Gucci have launched holiday campaigns featuring celebrity talent and creative narratives, while companies like Apple and Amazon focus on humor and human connection in their festive ads.
- The campaigns span various themes, from travel and financial preparedness to the magic of Christmas, showcasing a blend of technology, celebrity endorsements, and emotional storytelling.
As the festive season gathers momentum, brands across categories are turning to storytelling to capture the spirit of celebration, generosity and togetherness. This week’s campaigns blend technology-led narratives, celebrity associations, emotional storytelling, and elaborate holiday productions, as brands look to connect with audiences through more than seasonal product showcases.
OpenAI’s ‘Kindness Maxxing’ places ChatGPT within an everyday Indian setting, exploring how technology can help people translate thoughtful intentions into meaningful acts of kindness. Google India, meanwhile, features Kareena Kapoor Khan in an Android-led adventure through Singapore, showcasing the possibilities of AI-powered assistance. MakeMyTrip has tapped Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh for its latest travel sale, while Canara HSBC Life Insurance brings Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan together to highlight the importance of protecting life’s promises.
On the international front, Apple turns an ordinary shopping trip into an action-packed spectacle to demonstrate Apple Pay, while Oreo, Amazon and Disney lean into humour, generosity and the magic of Christmas. Luxury brands, including Dior, Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Tiffany & Co., have also unveiled their holiday campaigns, bringing together celebrity talent, animation, heritage and festive gifting.
Here's a look at this week's campaigns, spanning India and global markets, with a special focus on the season's holiday advertising:
OpenAI - “Kindness Maxxing”
OpenAI’s ‘Kindness Maxxing’ places ChatGPT within an everyday Indian setting, exploring how technology can help people translate thoughtful intentions into meaningful acts of kindness. Google India, meanwhile, features Kareena Kapoor Khan in an Android-led adventure through Singapore, showcasing the possibilities of AI-powered assistance. MakeMyTrip has tapped Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh for its latest travel sale, while Canara HSBC Life Insurance brings Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan together to highlight the importance of protecting life’s promises.
On the international front, Apple turns an ordinary shopping trip into an action-packed spectacle to demonstrate Apple Pay, while Oreo, Amazon and Disney lean into humour, generosity and the magic of Christmas. Luxury brands, including Dior, Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Tiffany & Co., have also unveiled their holiday campaigns, bringing together celebrity talent, animation, heritage and festive gifting.
Here's a look at this week's campaigns, spanning India and global markets, with a special focus on the season's holiday advertising:
OpenAI - “Kindness Maxxing”
OpenAI has released ‘Kindness Maxxing’, a new film for ChatGPT featuring Raghu, as part of its festive campaign highlighting the role of AI in everyday life. The film explores how small acts of kindness can make a difference, with Raghu using ChatGPT to find ways to help those around him. Through the narrative, the campaign positions ChatGPT as a practical companion that can help people turn thoughtful intentions into meaningful action.
Google x Android - “Bebo’s Day Out”
Google India has launched ‘Bebo’s Day Out With Android’, a campaign featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan that showcases Android’s AI-powered features through an unplanned day out in Singapore. The film follows the actor as she explores the city without a fixed itinerary, using Android to discover local landmarks, navigate unfamiliar places and stay connected with loved ones. In one sequence, she uses Gemini to learn more about Singapore’s historic Peranakan shophouses.
https://www.instagram.com/
MakeMyTrip - “Travel Ka Muhurat Sale”
MakeMyTrip has launched the second edition of its ‘Travel Ka Muhurat Sale’, going live on November 14, 2026, to tap into demand for year-end holidays. The campaign features six films starring brand ambassadors Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, conceptualised by creative agency Talented, highlighting offers across domestic and international flights, hotels, villas, holiday packages and outstation cabs. The sale brings together over 30,000 domestic and 3,500 international accommodation properties, 35 airlines and eight banking partners.
Google India has launched ‘Bebo’s Day Out With Android’, a campaign featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan that showcases Android’s AI-powered features through an unplanned day out in Singapore. The film follows the actor as she explores the city without a fixed itinerary, using Android to discover local landmarks, navigate unfamiliar places and stay connected with loved ones. In one sequence, she uses Gemini to learn more about Singapore’s historic Peranakan shophouses.
https://www.instagram.com/
MakeMyTrip - “Travel Ka Muhurat Sale”
MakeMyTrip has launched the second edition of its ‘Travel Ka Muhurat Sale’, going live on November 14, 2026, to tap into demand for year-end holidays. The campaign features six films starring brand ambassadors Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, conceptualised by creative agency Talented, highlighting offers across domestic and international flights, hotels, villas, holiday packages and outstation cabs. The sale brings together over 30,000 domestic and 3,500 international accommodation properties, 35 airlines and eight banking partners.
Canara HSBC Life Insurance - “Protect the Promises You Live By”
Canara HSBC Life Insurance has launched a new campaign featuring brand ambassadors Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan, extending its ‘Promises Ka Partner’ platform. The campaign draws parallels between Bumrah’s disciplined preparation on the cricket field and the planning required to fulfil life’s important commitments. Using a relatable and playful storytelling approach, it highlights the importance of financial preparedness in securing the future of loved ones.
Canara HSBC Life Insurance has launched a new campaign featuring brand ambassadors Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan, extending its ‘Promises Ka Partner’ platform. The campaign draws parallels between Bumrah’s disciplined preparation on the cricket field and the planning required to fulfil life’s important commitments. Using a relatable and playful storytelling approach, it highlights the importance of financial preparedness in securing the future of loved ones.
Apple - “Market Mayhem”
Apple has released a new Apple Pay commercial directed by filmmaker Edgar Wright, turning an ordinary trip to a corner store into a kung-fu action sequence. The film follows a man fleeing a gang who enters a shop to grab something to defend himself, only to be asked to pay before using the products. While he completes transactions instantly through Apple Pay on his iPhone, his pursuers struggle to retrieve cards from their wallets. The ensuing fight uses everyday groceries, including sausages and a swordfish, as improvised weapons. Through fast-paced editing and action choreography, the film highlights Apple Pay’s speed, convenience and Face ID security.
Apple has released a new Apple Pay commercial directed by filmmaker Edgar Wright, turning an ordinary trip to a corner store into a kung-fu action sequence. The film follows a man fleeing a gang who enters a shop to grab something to defend himself, only to be asked to pay before using the products. While he completes transactions instantly through Apple Pay on his iPhone, his pursuers struggle to retrieve cards from their wallets. The ensuing fight uses everyday groceries, including sausages and a swordfish, as improvised weapons. Through fast-paced editing and action choreography, the film highlights Apple Pay’s speed, convenience and Face ID security.
Oreo - “Dunk into the holidays”
Oreo has launched ‘Santa’s Favorite Cookie’, its first new holiday TV campaign in five years, created by Colin Jost’s creative studio No Notes. The 30-second film follows a father who sneaks a bite of the Oreo cookies left out for Santa, prompting Santa to get even by leaving bite marks on the man’s belongings, including his stocking, golf driver and snowboard. The film ends with Santa enjoying Oreos and milk at the North Pole.
Oreo has launched ‘Santa’s Favorite Cookie’, its first new holiday TV campaign in five years, created by Colin Jost’s creative studio No Notes. The 30-second film follows a father who sneaks a bite of the Oreo cookies left out for Santa, prompting Santa to get even by leaving bite marks on the man’s belongings, including his stocking, golf driver and snowboard. The film ends with Santa enjoying Oreos and milk at the North Pole.
Disney - “The Invisible Horse”
Disney has launched its global Christmas campaign, ‘Make the Holidays Magic’, led by an original short film titled ‘The Invisible Horse’, directed by Dougal Wilson and created by adam&eve\TBWA. The film follows a young boy who believes he has outgrown Christmas magic, until an imaginary creature takes him on an adventure that rekindles his imagination and brings him closer to his family.
Disney has launched its global Christmas campaign, ‘Make the Holidays Magic’, led by an original short film titled ‘The Invisible Horse’, directed by Dougal Wilson and created by adam&eve\TBWA. The film follows a young boy who believes he has outgrown Christmas magic, until an imaginary creature takes him on an adventure that rekindles his imagination and brings him closer to his family.
Amazon - “Joy Delivered”
Amazon has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘Joy Delivered’, a 2.5-minute film following Joy, played by Kate Laidler, as she tries to reach home after her flight is cancelled due to severe weather. Relying on the kindness of strangers for lifts and shelter, she gradually gives away the Christmas gifts she had packed for her family as a gesture of gratitude. Created by Amazon’s in-house team, Amazon XCM, in collaboration with SMUGGLER, the film shifts the focus from product showcases to human connection and generosity, positioning Amazon as a facilitator of meaningful moments during the festive season.
Amazon has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘Joy Delivered’, a 2.5-minute film following Joy, played by Kate Laidler, as she tries to reach home after her flight is cancelled due to severe weather. Relying on the kindness of strangers for lifts and shelter, she gradually gives away the Christmas gifts she had packed for her family as a gesture of gratitude. Created by Amazon’s in-house team, Amazon XCM, in collaboration with SMUGGLER, the film shifts the focus from product showcases to human connection and generosity, positioning Amazon as a facilitator of meaningful moments during the festive season.
Dior - “Christian Dior’s Night in Color”
Christian Dior has unveiled ‘Night in Color’, an animated holiday film directed by French filmmaker Sylvain Chomet, set at the House of Dior’s 30 Avenue Montaigne address on a snowy winter night in 1949. The story begins when Marlene Dietrich calls Dior requesting a new dress, setting off an imaginative adventure in which familiar objects around the fashion house come to life. Narrated by Robert Pattinson, the film features voices from Dior ambassadors and friends, including Rihanna, Josh O’Connor and Camille Cottin.
Christian Dior has unveiled ‘Night in Color’, an animated holiday film directed by French filmmaker Sylvain Chomet, set at the House of Dior’s 30 Avenue Montaigne address on a snowy winter night in 1949. The story begins when Marlene Dietrich calls Dior requesting a new dress, setting off an imaginative adventure in which familiar objects around the fashion house come to life. Narrated by Robert Pattinson, the film features voices from Dior ambassadors and friends, including Rihanna, Josh O’Connor and Camille Cottin.
Prada - “Drawing Prada: Animated by Hand”
Prada has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘Drawing Prada: Animated by Hand’, opting for traditional hand-drawn animation over AI-generated visuals. The campaign features actors Sadie Sink, Maya Hawke, Chen Haoyu, Luther Ford and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a whimsical winter wonderland, where illustrated woodland creatures interact with the cast and their Prada outfits. Led by veteran animator John Pomeroy, the films combine live-action photography by Glen Luchford with pencil-and-paper animation.
Prada has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘Drawing Prada: Animated by Hand’, opting for traditional hand-drawn animation over AI-generated visuals. The campaign features actors Sadie Sink, Maya Hawke, Chen Haoyu, Luther Ford and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a whimsical winter wonderland, where illustrated woodland creatures interact with the cast and their Prada outfits. Led by veteran animator John Pomeroy, the films combine live-action photography by Glen Luchford with pencil-and-paper animation.
Marks & Spencer - “The Home Of Christmas”
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched ‘The Home of Christmas’, bringing its Food, Fashion, Home and Beauty categories together in a single festive campaign for the first time since 2017. Created by Mother, the film features James Norton as an undercover Santa and Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus, with a special appearance and soundtrack by Katherine Jenkins. The story follows Santa as he leaves the North Pole in disguise to experience Christmas celebrations in homes across the UK, highlighting the role of food, gifting, fashion and home in the festivities.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched ‘The Home of Christmas’, bringing its Food, Fashion, Home and Beauty categories together in a single festive campaign for the first time since 2017. Created by Mother, the film features James Norton as an undercover Santa and Lucy Punch as Mrs Claus, with a special appearance and soundtrack by Katherine Jenkins. The story follows Santa as he leaves the North Pole in disguise to experience Christmas celebrations in homes across the UK, highlighting the role of food, gifting, fashion and home in the festivities.
Gucci - “Gucci Gift”
Gucci has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘Gucci Gift ft. Mariah Carey’, starring the singer as the face of its festive celebrations. Directed by Harmony Korine, the film follows hotel staff rushing to prepare for Carey’s arrival, with her Christmas hit ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ setting the festive mood. Carey makes a grand entrance wearing pieces from Gucci’s Butterfly special collection, inspired by the motif associated with her 1997 album. The campaign combines celebrity appeal, festive storytelling and luxury gifting, using Carey’s long-standing association with Christmas to bring the brand’s seasonal collection into focus.
Gucci has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘Gucci Gift ft. Mariah Carey’, starring the singer as the face of its festive celebrations. Directed by Harmony Korine, the film follows hotel staff rushing to prepare for Carey’s arrival, with her Christmas hit ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ setting the festive mood. Carey makes a grand entrance wearing pieces from Gucci’s Butterfly special collection, inspired by the motif associated with her 1997 album. The campaign combines celebrity appeal, festive storytelling and luxury gifting, using Carey’s long-standing association with Christmas to bring the brand’s seasonal collection into focus.
Louis Vuitton - “A Holiday Journey”
Louis Vuitton has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘A Holiday Journey’, set in a snow-covered railway station that captures the excitement of festive departures and reunions. Photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch, with a film directed by Jason Sondock and Simon Davis of rubberband., the campaign follows travellers sharing playful and intimate moments in the minutes before their train departs. Friends reunite, children play with miniature trains and families gather around the brand’s signature luggage.
Louis Vuitton has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘A Holiday Journey’, set in a snow-covered railway station that captures the excitement of festive departures and reunions. Photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch, with a film directed by Jason Sondock and Simon Davis of rubberband., the campaign follows travellers sharing playful and intimate moments in the minutes before their train departs. Friends reunite, children play with miniature trains and families gather around the brand’s signature luggage.
Burberry - “Wrapped in Burberry”
Burberry has unveiled its 2026 festive campaign, ‘Wrapped in Burberry: Celebrating 170 Years’, marking the British fashion house’s 170th anniversary. Directed by Harmony Korine, the film is set at Longleat House in Wiltshire, where Pierce Brosnan and Fiona Shaw host a Christmas gathering featuring guests including Cara Delevingne, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Kim Min-ha and Wu Lei. The campaign offers a playful take on a traditional British country-house Christmas, bringing together the brand’s heritage, festive gifting and seasonal collections.
Burberry has unveiled its 2026 festive campaign, ‘Wrapped in Burberry: Celebrating 170 Years’, marking the British fashion house’s 170th anniversary. Directed by Harmony Korine, the film is set at Longleat House in Wiltshire, where Pierce Brosnan and Fiona Shaw host a Christmas gathering featuring guests including Cara Delevingne, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Kim Min-ha and Wu Lei. The campaign offers a playful take on a traditional British country-house Christmas, bringing together the brand’s heritage, festive gifting and seasonal collections.
Chanel - “The Chanel winter getaway”
Chanel has unveiled its 2026 holiday beauty campaign, ‘Winter Getaway’, starring brand ambassador Margaret Qualley. The film follows Qualley on a festive journey from Paris to the snow-covered mountains of St. Moritz, with a sleigh carrying gifts from the fashion house. Inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s association with the Swiss resort, the campaign brings together the brand’s fragrance, makeup and skincare offerings under the ‘Give Your Best, Give Chanel’ platform.
Chanel has unveiled its 2026 holiday beauty campaign, ‘Winter Getaway’, starring brand ambassador Margaret Qualley. The film follows Qualley on a festive journey from Paris to the snow-covered mountains of St. Moritz, with a sleigh carrying gifts from the fashion house. Inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s association with the Swiss resort, the campaign brings together the brand’s fragrance, makeup and skincare offerings under the ‘Give Your Best, Give Chanel’ platform.
Tiffany & Co. - “Love is a Gift”
Tiffany & Co. has unveiled ‘Love Is a Gift’, a campaign created by American Haiku that celebrates love and the emotional significance of gifting. The campaign positions jewellery as more than a luxury purchase, highlighting its role in expressing affection and marking meaningful relationships. Through the creative, the brand reinforces its association with gifting and personal connections, bringing its jewellery collections into the spotlight.
Tiffany & Co. has unveiled ‘Love Is a Gift’, a campaign created by American Haiku that celebrates love and the emotional significance of gifting. The campaign positions jewellery as more than a luxury purchase, highlighting its role in expressing affection and marking meaningful relationships. Through the creative, the brand reinforces its association with gifting and personal connections, bringing its jewellery collections into the spotlight.
Swarovski - “Lights up on JOY”
Swarovski has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘JOY: The Swarovski Musical’, starring global brand ambassador Ariana Grande. Inspired by the golden age of stage and screen musicals, the campaign features Grande in a series of acts paying tribute to performers Fred Astaire and ballerina Margot Fonteyn, before taking on her pop-star persona. The film showcases pieces from Swarovski’s Millenia, Una, Mesmera and Vienna collections, set against theatrical backdrops featuring feathers, octagonal sets and the brand’s signature colours.
Swarovski has unveiled its 2026 holiday campaign, ‘JOY: The Swarovski Musical’, starring global brand ambassador Ariana Grande. Inspired by the golden age of stage and screen musicals, the campaign features Grande in a series of acts paying tribute to performers Fred Astaire and ballerina Margot Fonteyn, before taking on her pop-star persona. The film showcases pieces from Swarovski’s Millenia, Una, Mesmera and Vienna collections, set against theatrical backdrops featuring feathers, octagonal sets and the brand’s signature colours.
Mercedes-Benz - “Holiday Preparation”
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its ‘Holiday Preparation’ commercial as part of its 2026 Holiday Love Sales Event campaign. The 30-second film features Santa Claus taking a Mercedes-Benz performance car for a spin on a snowy test track, with his team monitoring lap times and pushing him to improve his performance ahead of the festive season. Using humour, the film reimagines Santa’s preparations for Christmas as a high-speed driving exercise, before directing viewers to the brand’s holiday sales event.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its ‘Holiday Preparation’ commercial as part of its 2026 Holiday Love Sales Event campaign. The 30-second film features Santa Claus taking a Mercedes-Benz performance car for a spin on a snowy test track, with his team monitoring lap times and pushing him to improve his performance ahead of the festive season. Using humour, the film reimagines Santa’s preparations for Christmas as a high-speed driving exercise, before directing viewers to the brand’s holiday sales event.
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