Overview
- McDonald’s Netherlands removed the AI-generated Christmas commercial after widespread criticism of its tone and visuals.
- The spot was produced by Sweetshop Films with TBWA/Neboko, and CEO Melanie Bridge defended the process in a now-deleted post citing ten people working full-time for five weeks.
- AI specialist The Gardening Club said the team worked at the edge of current technology and that total man-hours exceeded a typical production, according to reported statements.
- Social media users condemned the ad as unsettling and inauthentic, and many mocked the producers’ workload claims rather than accepting them as proof of craftsmanship.
- The episode is being cited alongside Coca-Cola’s recent AI holiday campaigns as part of a broader industry debate over efficiency, quality and the role of generative tools in advertising.