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Coca‑Cola’s AI‑Generated Christmas Ads Draw Criticism Despite Strong Test Scores

Built in about a month using Sora, Veo 3, Luma AI, the campaign will run in nearly 140 countries.

Overview

  • Coca‑Cola published three holiday spots on YouTube, including an AI remake of its 1995 "Holidays Are Coming" truck ad.
  • Viewers highlighted continuity issues such as trucks changing shape and gaining or losing wheels, along with other uncanny moments.
  • Company leaders defended the strategy, with AI chief Pratik Thakar saying craft improved markedly and production partner PJ Pereira praising the brand’s willingness to adopt new tools.
  • Testing firms reported strong results: System1 gave the ad its top brand‑growth score, while DAIVID found high attention and memory but lower positive emotion and slightly elevated mistrust.
  • Production involved Silverside and Secret Level, roughly 100 staff and five AI specialists using OpenAI’s Sora, Google’s Veo 3 and Luma AI, reflecting a wider shift as analysts say about 30% of U.S. ads use generative tools, projected to reach 39% by 2026.