Coca-Cola Faces Backlash Over AI-Generated Christmas Ad
Daniel Rodriguez
Staff Writer
The attempts of Coca-Cola to revolutionize its 1995 iconic “Holidays Are Coming” ad with AI haven’t gone unnoticed and have received serious criticism. The ad, fully created through Coca-Cola’s “Real Magic AI,” was supposed to merge tradition and innovation. Viewers have described the AI visuals as unsettling and accused the company of prioritizing cost-saving measures over creativity. According to The Mary Sue, the critics felt that the ad was contrived, calling it the “ugliest ad ever,” pointing out the irony of a slogan like “Real Magic” on an ad that is completely created by artificial intelligence.
The ad aired for the first time on November 16, 2024, and pictured the usual Coca-Cola trucks’ convoy entering a festive village where AI-generated characters celebrated the holiday spirit. The company thought this ad would do great, but this opinion was formed based on the results of some pre-testing, which showed positive consumer feedback. According to Techopedia, other viewers felt the visuals fell below Coca-Cola’s usually high standards for emotional resonance, from stiff animations to unnatural character details.
Beyond aesthetic criticism, the ad has raised ethical concerns about the role of AI in creative industries. According to The Mary Sue, numerous social media users called out the use of AI as an affront to human jobs-particularly in light of recent Hollywood strikes that covered many of those same issues. “This is extremely scary and robs actors of their money,” one user wrote, echoing deep-seated fears over automation’s impact on the workforce.
Others, too, were unsettled by the uncanny reality that the AI characters possessed. For example, a perception existed, according to Techopedia, by many consumers that AI lacked the human touch that made advertising emotional. All of this throwing “real” magic against overtly artificial contest only served to further heighten the perception of disconnect.
The decision by Coca-Cola to double down on its use of AI technology moves in the right direction, considering its broader strategy to bake generative AI into its business processes. However, the public backlash does raise questions over whether such innovations can coexist with the nostalgia and emotional storytelling that has traditionally defined the brand. According to critics, Coca-Cola may want to try combining human creativity with AI differently in its future projects to preserve its reputation as a purveyor of heartfelt holiday traditions. This controversy serves as a reminder for brands that while technology can enhance efficiency, it must be balanced with authenticity to preserve consumer trust and engagement.
Contact Daniel at rodrig33@shu.edu