Gap Gets 'Glee'-ful for New Holiday Ads

by Lisa Marsh (Subscribe to Lisa Marsh's posts)
Posted Nov 16th 2009 at 12:10AM

Gap has unveiled its first television campaign in over two years and it will strike a familiar chord with millions of viewers.

In the new series of holiday commercials, a boisterous troupe of particularly "Glee"-ful models and cheerleaders prance around spreading holiday, well, cheer.

They dance, they tumble, they build human pyramids, all while decked out in Gap's seasonal 1969 denim, plaid shirts and chic winter accessories. (You can even shop the looks.)

Their intricate routines look an awful lot like the glorious song and dance numbers featured on the hit Fox series "Glee," which depicts the conflicts between the misfit members of a high school glee club and the uber cool cheerleaders (aka the "Cheerios").

The similarity is a little more than a case of great minds thinking alike. Though the campaign was in development "before we saw 'Glee,'" Ivy Ross, executive vice president of marketing for Gap told The New York Times, the resemblance is "no accident."

"We were very conscious of the environment we're in," she added.

Called "Holiday Cheer," the campaign features 10 different peppy ads including the intentionally inclusive "Happy Whateveryouwannakah," the very clever "Still Got That Receipt?," the politically correct "Vegetarian RSVP" and the procrastinator's theme "Be Belated" (cue "Bring it On").

View all of them at Gap's holiday microsite, Cheerfactory.com, where you can customize cheers and send via email, Facebook and Twitter. Spread the joy and receive a 20% off coupon good through the end of January 2010.

Gap clearly wants to make it a cheerful holiday season.

What do you think of the new campaign? Leave a comment!

And get the inside scoop on how one of the most whimsical holiday traditions is put together.

Read All Comments

Filed under: News, Designers & Brands, Shopping
Tags: cheerleaders, christmas, commercials, facebook, Gap, Gap Commercials, Glee, holiday, TV Shows, twitter

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READER COMMENTS

(33)Add A Comment

Jennifer, 12-03-2009, 4:35PM

Damn, it must be that bad with GAP not being orginial!!!

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whocares, 11-20-2009, 4:06PM

GET A LIFE PEOPLE! IT'S A TV AD. WHO CARES?

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Julz, 11-17-2009, 12:03PM

Ok, I'm gonna keep this simple. I am pretty sick and tired of all these liberals running around telling everyone they have to be "politically correct". Why? For fear of offending a few people? Who gives a crap?!! There was never a problem before with saying Merry Christmas and ONLY Merry Christmas. So why is this an issue now? I'll tell you why, because the people who get offended about this kind of silliness are only looking for something to whine about. Ok, we can't call people "black" anymore, we should say "African American", even though most of them never stepped a foot in Africa. I don't call myself a European American because I'm offended to be called "White". Or let’s cry about Taco Bell using a Chihuahua for their ads because it’s just sooo offending. Cliché yes, offending???, I don't think so. Even the Native Americans are jumping on the "Poor Me" bandwagon now, crying about College Mascots. Can we all just take a moment to Shut The Hell Up?? Please!!! Now, I have not kept this short as promised. Bottom line, I'm not impressed about this ad in any way. Just another sign that this country is turning into a bunch of spineless pansies.

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Beth, 11-16-2009, 7:46PM

I absolutely adore Glee, but I hate these ads....they are like nails on a chalkboard to me. Between the Old Navy modelquins and these Gap ads, I'm really wishing Gap Inc. would stick to print!

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AllN4Jesus, 11-16-2009, 8:14PM

You will never please everyone, but by trying to include everyone they may be offending more people than they realize. The problem I have with this add is the line in the song "86 the rules. Do what ever you like." This is the problem with society today whatever feels good...do it no sense or right or wrong. If that's the way you live it will eventually lead to anarchy.

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dudette, 11-16-2009, 10:13PM

the only people who would be offended by the mere mention of holidays other than the specific one they are celebrating are either very very easily offended, or are looking for reasons to be offended.

you say "This is the problem with society today whatever feels good...do it no sense or right or wrong."

um, sorry but i don't know anyone who doesn't know right from wrong. i don't buy that america is in a down-hill slide away from morality, or one song lyric away from anarchy.

zhenglisheng09, 11-17-2009, 1:44PM

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Lara, 11-19-2009, 1:57AM

I just want to know what shoes the gals in the ad are wearing. Anyone know?

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4my5kds, 12-02-2009, 10:02PM

I LOVE the new ad campaign! Everytime the ads come on I smile, Gap really hit the mark this year-I missed them last year. My fav is the kids of all shades singing/cheering "How cute are these boots?" The kids are adorable and talented! The holidays are about getting together and enjoying yourselves with friends and family, these kids remind you to enjoy yourself this holiday season! Lighten up folks, go casual and have fun this holiday!

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melissa, 12-08-2009, 4:09PM

"Gap Sucks" why would they do a Holiday commercial with all those little girls wearing that cute little brown boot with the pink on the sides and then not even have them available for sale? My little girl wants those boots so bad for x-mas and Gap doesn't even sell them. WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!

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C-town, 12-11-2009, 10:22AM

OK people. It is an ad campaign. Yes they are going to mention all holidays to celebrate this season to reach as many people that they can because they want to make MONEY. That all. You all are taking this way too seriously.

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Nancy, 11-29-2010, 11:07PM

Know how to claim on your gap year travel insurance. As we said earlier, none of us want to have to actually use our travel insurance policy, but it is important that you know how to make a claim should the need arise. Familiarise yourself with the travel insurance claims procedure of the company you use before starting out.

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