The company’s nostalgia-filled commercials are a holiday tradition, but this year’s ads are facing backlash for dipping into the uncanny valley. W

Coca-Cola’s Holiday Ads Trade the ‘Real Thing’ for Generative A.I.

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2024-11-21 15:30:07

The company’s nostalgia-filled commercials are a holiday tradition, but this year’s ads are facing backlash for dipping into the uncanny valley.

With temperatures dropping, nights growing longer and decorations starting to appear in store windows, the holidays are on their way. One of the season’s stalwarts, however, is feeling a little less cozy for some people: Coca-Cola, known for its nostalgia-filled holiday commercials, is facing backlash for creating this year’s ads with generative artificial intelligence.

The three commercials, which pay tribute to the company’s beloved “Holidays Are Coming” campaign from 1995, feature cherry-red Coca-Cola trucks driving through sleepy towns on snowy roads at night. The ads depict squirrels and rabbits peeking out to watch the passing caravans and a man being handed an ice-cold bottle of cola by Santa Claus.

“’Tis the season,” a jingle chirps, “it’s always the real thing.” The tag line, pushing Coke’s “real thing” slogan, is juxtaposed with a disclaimer: “Created by Real Magic AI.”

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