Kodak Christmas Ad 1968

This 1968 Kodak ad nails holiday selling with one line: “Someone is wondering what you want for Christmas.” It’s not just about cameras—it’s about helping the buyer solve a problem.

Marketing Analysis

Kodak flipped the perspective. Instead of talking features first, they start with empathy. The ad taps into a familiar moment—someone asking for your wish list—and slides their product right into that emotional space.

Why It Works

• Speaks to emotion before logic
• Creates urgency through timing (Christmas)
• Shifts focus to the gift giver’s dilemma
• Uses price anchoring (“less than $20”) for easy decisions

Examples

• Apple positions AirPods as the go-to “perfect gift” every holiday season.
• Tiffany’s “Give with Blue” turns their packaging into the gift moment itself.
• LEGO runs gift guides highlighting age-appropriate sets for shoppers in a rush.