Even Santa’s using AI now

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Ink Drop is your jolt of marketing news, served short with campaigns, trends, and ideas that remind you why you love this job in the first place.

Gatorade opens a portal to the past. In a move straight out of Hawkins, Gatorade resurrected its ’80s campaign with a Stranger Things twist and an old-school flavor to match. It’s weirdly nostalgic and perfectly timed.

More from the week

Coca-Cola lets AI play Santa. The iconic soda brand used generative AI to reboot its classic “Holidays Are Coming” ad—polar bears included—and somehow made it feel new without touching the nostalgia. Even Santa’s getting version updates now.

⚡ Get inspired: If AI can make a Christmas ad sing, it can make your next campaign hum. Get in the AI state of mind with this guide.

Lowe’s leans into the scroll. This season, Lowe’s ads look like your camera roll: vertical videos, quick cuts, and the kind of visual energy that feels native to your feed. Built for attention, not tradition.

⚡ Get inspired: Chaos-proof your next campaign with The Modern Marketer’s Guide to Annual Planning, your key for staying ahead of every season.

AI is making shopping feel human again. Agentic AI is ranking brands by connection instead of ad spend, recommending products that make sense for you. Less “algorithm,” more “friend who just gets it.”

⚡ Get inspired: Want to really understand your audience? Experiment. Try Five Last-Minute Testing Ideas to End the Year Strong and start 2026 with proof your ideas deliver.