Christmas adverts seem to get more and more whimsical – but this year, Lidl has opted for realism. Playing on its position as a trusted supermarket for everyday necessities, Lidl offers a down-to-earth portrayal of modern rituals around festivities, giving viewers "a Christmas you can believe in."

A virtual Colonel Sanders influencer has been created in KFC’s most recent social media advertising campaign in a tongue-in-cheek takedown of influencer culture. People’s savviness to sponsored posts has seen a rise in call-out culture which leaves brands working hard to innovate around it.

KFC is tapping into Gen Y’s taste for unique experiences with a limited-time offering of ‘hot chicken’ – a hyper-local dish that’s native to Nashville. While some may question the legitimacy of a chain adopting a regional favourite, how might KFC’s success impact the future of the fast food sector?

Many brands recognise that evoking laughter is a sure-fire way to get people’s attention – but that’s easier said than done. Canvas8 spoke to Caleb Warren, a marketing professor at the University of Arizona, to learn about the difficulties of using humour in ads and how this impacts brand loyalty.