A huge part of this is what I’ve actually seen. I’m not the kind of person who skips over commercials unless I’ve seen them and/or their worthless. So I’d like to give kudos to the following companies for a great marketing campaign this season:

Target - it began with Black Friday with the obsessive shopper and her “lazy” sister. Get what you need no matter what shopper you are. Then they followed up with a number of great commercials about great their gifts are and at great prices.

There yet? - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy7LyV0AgEI

Confessions - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8QUBs3NSsc

Santa running late - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTkfNb9o2wU

Gap -  The campaign started off strong enough, but what really made it great was the “Talk to the Moose” spot.

Loser - Old Navy. Ditch the mannequins.