This week: A twist on the holiday festivities, a really scary billboard, a big brand makes its next step into the Metaverse.

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5) Amazon Prime Video: Wheel of Time Billboards
Agency: Amplify

Now that much of the world is out and about again, outdoor ads have plenty of eyeballs to attract. No doubt this campaign, promoting Amazon Prime Video’s new fantasy series “Wheel of Time” did that job. Through anamorphic technology, it depicted a fearsome, three-dimensional face-off between the show’s light and dark forces. One billboard in London’s Piccadilly Circus, seen here, made it seem as if they were massive beings emerging from the corner of a building. 

4) Domino’s: Christmas Domin-oh-hoo-hoo
Agency: VCCP

Back in June, Domino’s debuted a hilarious campaign for the U.K. market featuring customers yodeling their pizza orders to showcase the pizza chain’s group ordering feature. Last week, the brand returned to the theme for the holidays in a new spot that sees a choir replace carols with songs of a more Alpine ilk. The campaign also includes a contest that will bring Christmas yodelers to lucky customers’ doorsteps.

See when Domino's first got into yodeling. 

3) Heineken: A Lockdown Love Story
Agency: Publicis Italy/Le Pub

When this ad debuted last week it had many on our team talking, and, well, griping, because it told its story so well—until it punched us in the gut. It follows an adorable young couple, Charlie and Lola, who even under lockdown managed to meet, fall in love, fight and endure the trials of a new relationship before finally reaching the point, post-COVID, when they could connect in real life. The finale, however, illustrates the spot’s message—that real-life chemistry beats anything that happens online. 

2) Nike: Nikeland

Following in the footsteps of Hyundai and Chipotle, Nike is the latest brand to jump into Roblox. Last week, the company introduced Nikeland, a new game that invites kids to explore a virtual version of Nike World Headquarters, where they can play games such as dodgeball and “The Floor Is Lava," and get Nike gear for their avatars in a virtual showroom. But it’s not just about screen time and commerce. Nike has built real-world activity into the game itself—via the accelerometers on their devices, kids can use bodies in real life to help them with in-game moves including jumps and speed runs.

1) Penny: The Wish
Agency: Serviceplan

Holiday ads this year have largely marked a return to celebration and togetherness, filled with scenes of revelry, gift-giving and crowd-filled parties once again. Which is why this ad for German retailer Penny stopped us in our tracks. It tells the story of a family looking toward the holidays after emerging from the pandemic’s dark hole. A teenage boy asks his mom, “What do you want for Christmas?” Her answer will break your heart.

See a lot more of the big 2021 holidays ads here. 

For more great ideas, bookmark our section covering the best in brand creativity every day at Adage.com/Creativity. 

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