Jingle Bell Shots.
A Friday newsletter with so much Amaretto, it will rock around the clock.
Dear agency readers, stylish reindeers and everyone getting ready to circle back in the new year.
This week I had the pleasure of submitting an op-ed to Little Black Book all about AI acting like the Christmas Grinch and how Coca-Cola and McDonald’s “proved that AI can deliver results or even create a conversation even when the work is uninspired.” Now I have to figure out what to write next.
It’s funny, before Toronto turned into full-Hoth without the cool Tauntauns (Side bar: While spell checking “Tauntaun”, I learned that they are actually a “species of snow lizard.” And now we know why they smelled so bad “on the inside”.)
I did manage to spend a night of enchantment even walking through the branded experience that is the Pine Sol branded “Tunnel of Light” at Stackt Marketplace.
I want to meet the team that activated the cleaning brand like this (and ensured that the giant bottle of Pine Sol had eyes and a mouth. WHY DOES IT HAVE EYES AND A MOUTH.). Did all the light companies say, nah? It didn’t even smell like Pine Sol? It wasn’t even on a floor with brand ambassadors cleaning it. What a waste. Just for that I had to have 2 extra mulled wines.
Given that branding travesty, or missed opportunity, we need something that can do a little damage. Something almost too easy to drink and sure to turn some social media intern into a complete mess.
The Drink Cart Jingle Bell Shot
1/3 oz Amaretto
1/3 oz Vodka
1/3 oz cranberry juice.
Shake with ice, strain, repeat.
1. Ad History: Budweiser (1947)
You know what? There’s never enough deceased geese, stuffed pigs or lobsters in ads anymore. Yes, Chef Santa tell me about those plump fowl.
2. Jacquemus + Nike Ski
Why yes, I do need some absurd $4,955 skis to go with my $350 Jacquemus + Nike Ski Suit. Thank you.
3. Holiday Nope.
Question is just doing all the gags from Christmas Vacation to the tune of Holiday Road from Vacation, better or worse than AI?
4. ‘Tis the season for Dutch oven deliveries
Le Creuset has really mastered the art of simple digital. And Bonus, it was “created entirely by hand using digital art and real video footage, not AI.” We’re going to see a lot of that in 2026.
5. Remember When Mr. Peanut was cool?
What have they done to my boy. The blandification of Mr. Peanut will not stand.
Thanks for reading. And drinking the nog. See you next week.
Jackson.
The Drink Cart Friday Shot is your late Friday pick-me-up for pop culture brains and ad junkies. A fast pour of ad insights and hot takes, served like a quick round at your favourite dive bar after a week of client feedback.