"Best Use of Santa" Ad Contest

"Best Use of Santa" Ad Contest

For our second Metro Creative Connection Facebook contest, we invited you to enter our holiday "Best Use of Santa" ad contest, where one lucky winner will receive $120.12 as we begin 2012.

We are happy to announce that the 2011 "Best Ad With Santa" Contest Winner is: Rachel, Fremont Tribune.

Thank you to everyone who participated by sending in so many great contest entries. It is a blast to see what you are all doing in your markets, and we are honored to display them here for you to view. As you will see, we have included a number of Honorable Mentions that call out the varied and unique promotions and design executions. You are sure to get a bunch of ideas to try in your own markets,so sit back and enjoy this wonderful group of Santa-based entries!

Metro's next contest will be announced on our Facebook/metrocreativeconnection page on February 1st… you're gonna love it!
View slides of all contest entries, click here.
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Best Use of Santa 2011
Here is my entry! First time entering a contest here. (Submitted by Rachel, Fremont Area Shopper) CONGRATULATIONS TO RACHEL!!!
Honorable Mention: Best Letters to Santa
Attached we used this this vintage style Santa for the front of our Letters to Santa Section, as well as promoting kids to send in letter to santa. Who can't help be jolly with that face! (Submitted by Donna, Gazette Extra)
Honorable Mention: Best Holiday Self-Promotion Ad
Advertisement for ad placement in our Annual Holiday Supplement. (published for 5 weeks) (Submitted by Fabian, The Republican News)
Honorable Mention: Best Video Idea
This is the Coastal Courier’s “Dear Santa Videos” ad. Wanting to get kid and family traffic to our website and view video clips of kids telling us what they want for Christmas. (Submitted by Jesse, Coastal Courier)
Honorable Mention: Best Fundraiser Ad
Christmas Happiness is an annual fund drive to provide Christmas gifts to the area's less fortunate. Attached is this year's ad soliciting donations. (Submitted by Jamie, Independent Messenger)
Honorable Mention: Best Web Ad
In this ad Santa is getting on the F.A.C.T. bus. The ad promotes local bus transit for the holiday season. (Submitted by Felicha, Herald Standard) This ad is a flash file I’ve attached the swf, url, and a still image.
Honorable Mention: Best Black & White Home Décor Ad
Attached is my ad entry for the Best Ad With Santa Contest. Merry Christmas & Happy New ear to all! This ad was created with art found on Metro & used for a local Home Furnishing store. Every Sunday edition they want to showcase their custom window treatments, so I put together this ad to showcase their treatments with a bit of holiday cheer. (Submitted by Bradlee, The News Sun)
Honorable Mention: Best Ethnic/Alternative Santa Ad
In this ad I was able to use one of your International Santas. The ad is for a Mexican Restaurant in the area. (Submitted by Connie, The Press/The North Ridgeville Press/WestLife News)
Honorable Mention: Best Savings Club Promotion Ad
Christmas ad for a local bank. (Submitted by Heath, Pueblo Chieftain)
Honorable Mention: Best Medical Ad
Giving Gifts: Diabetic and medical supplies ad (Submitted by Daniell, Heartland Publications)
Honorable Mention: Best Auto Ad, Traditional
Attached is a full page ad designed for our annual Christmas Family Photo Album. The client loved this ad so much they requested that this art be used every year from now on. (Submitted by Dusty, Graphic Publications)
Honorable Mention: Best Restaurant Ad
I have attached a PDF to enter into "Best Ad with Santa" Facebook Contest. The ad is designed for an Italian restaurant. (Submitted by Earl, Earl Designs)
Honorable Mention: Best Men's Holiday Shopping Promotion Ad
Here's a Santa Ad for the Best Ad With Santa Contest The customer runs a coffee/gift shop and requested a santa, with a watch, drinking coffee, and maybe a gift bag with the business name on it. I was able to combine the Santa, with a Christmas cup of coffee and crop bags from another graphic and photo shop everything together to give her what she wanted. She was very pleased, and I hope you are too! (Submitted by Misty, Rensselaer Republican)
Honorable Mention: Best Charity-related Ad
Trice Hughes: Santa's peeking over with pride that our local car lot is going the extra mile to help the unfortunate animals of our town that haven't any home to go to. Was looking for ways to draw attention to this worthy endeavor. (Submitted by Sherry, Times Leader)
I saw on Facebook you were having a contest for the Best Santa Ad. We had a "winner" with this one. I designed a spec ad using this Santa from your service and the customer bought it on the spot! Our customer is the Audiology & Hearing Aid Clinic of Paris, TN. (Submitted by Karen, The Paris Post-Intelligencer)
Honorable Mention: Best Greeting Ad
This is an ad for the Pinedale Roundup. They hold a wreath auction and this was the thank you to the sponsors. (Submitted by Amy, Pinedale Roundup)
Honorable Mention: Best Black & White Ad
This ad shouts "FUN!" It ran in our Dec. 20th Lakes News Shopper. During the holiday season, there's no reason not to stop in to this locally owned and operated establishment for a little Christmas Cheer! (Submitted by Peggy, Graphic designer: Jan McDonald, Lakes News Shopper)
Honorable Mention: Best Local Services Ad
Cover with self-promotion and artwork of Santa from Metro. (Submitted by Tatyana, Appeal-Democrat)
Honorable Mention: Creative Family Album Idea
Attached is a full page ad designed for our annual Christmas Family Photo Album. (Submitted by Dusty, Graphic Publications)
Honorable Mention: Best Local Chain Ad
This was a fun ad we did for a local Radio Shack store for our Holiday Guide. We've gotten great response! :D (Submitted by Maureen, The Willits News)
Honorable Mention: Best Bilingual Ad
Nunatsiaq News is pleased to submit our annual safe driving page using Metro's Santa. The ad is bilingual, English and Inuktitut (the language of the Inuit of Canada). (Submitted by Bill, Nunatsiaq News)
Honorable Mention: Best Baby's 1st Christmas Promotion
We did our Baby's 1st Christmas which I combined several Metro graphics and included Santa at the bottom. (Submitted by Misty, Rensselaer Republican)
Honorable Mention: Best Recruitment Ad
Here is my ad for the santa ad contest. Thanks (Submitted by Andy, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Honorable Mention: Best Breakfast/Visit With Santa Ad
This is just a dummy ad, but it was fun making it! (Submitted by Dodge County Pionier)
Honorable Mention: Best Real Estate Ad
Submission for the Ad With Santa Contest. Thanks! (Submitted by Andrea, Longview News-Journal)
Honorable Mention: Best Auto Services Ad
Here's one of my holiday ads from this year. Thanks so much (Submitted by Mikey, Lake Champlain Weekly)
Honorable Mention: Best Senior Care Ad
"Hello, Metro! I'd like to enter the attached ad in the "Best Ad With Santa" Facebook Contest. The purpose of this ad is to create an interest in this local care center, by displaying an the Holiday Spirit and fun the residents have. (Submitted by Laura, Lakes News Shopper)
Honorable Mention: Best Shop Locally Ad
Another santa / Christmas creation (Submitted by Misty, Rensselaer Republican)
Honorable Mention: Best Jewelry Store Ad
Here's my "Outsparkle Santa" ad entry for your Best Ad with Santa Contest. A large, local jewelry store tried to incite readers into purchasing jewelry to outsparkle Santa's gifts. They wanted the engagement rings ("A Christmas Proposal") to stand out, so the swirly pattern and green ribbon were added. I used several pieces of Metro art to build this ad (the classy swirly backgrounds, ribbon and two photos). The ad was a huge success since they sold lots of jewelry and made it a Christmas "she'll never forget!" (Submitted by Mary, Lakes News Shopper)
Honorable Mention: Best Movie Theater Promotion Ad
This is a countdown to christmas ad with santa in the left top corner. This ad is obviously for a local cinema in the town of Pittsfield, MA. Hope you enjoy this ad even though there isn't much of a santa but we tried to keep our ads more towards all holidays and not just Christmas. Just in case people don't celeate Christmas. (Submitted by Casey, Berkshire Eagle)
Honorable Mention: Best Auto Ad, Modern
(Submitted by Kerri, Owatonna People's Press)
Honorable Mention: Best Grocery Store Ad
My entry was to let people know that our locally owned grocery store is more than a place to buy food, but also a great place to buy Christmas presents for the whole family. I like the ight Christmas red and the Santa that looks like he's announcing to the world all the great buys. (Submitted by Marlys, Lakes News Shopper)
Honorable Mention: Most Festive Event Promotion Ad
Attached is my entry into the "best Ad with Santa" contest. I wanted to show Santa working in his workshop while also representing his trip and some really happy cute characters waiting to have their picture taken with him. (Submitted by Michele, Newsday Media Group)
Honorable Mention: Best Financial/Cash for Gold Ad
The client Frederick Coin Exchange wanted a new ad for the Holiday season. The client had the idea of a checklist. I was able to find a Santa showing the reader a list of items that they could sell to the store. Santa was making his list and checking it twice so they could buy something nice this year. (Submitted by Stephanie, News Post)
Who couldn't resist Santa with a beautiful gift in his hands? Our annual holiday gift guide was picture perfect with Metro Creative Connection's photo of Santa. It blended the generosity of giving with the retail component of the holiday. As a graphic designer for the Butler Eagle Newspaper, Metro is the first place I go to get the spot-on image I need to serve our customers. (Submitted by Lynn, Butler Eagle)
Here is an entry for the Santa Ad Contest. This was a quick ad I made to post of our face book page promoting our Christmas Special events at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth Michigan. We are a 360 room, family friendly hotel with a German/ Bavarian theme. We do special events for children for each holiday every weekend. (Submitted by Amber, Bavarian Inn Lodge)
Word Has It… Benson Ford auto ad (Submitted by Emily, The Pickens County Courier)
Rogers carpet and flooring ad (Submitted by Terri, Sierra Nevada Media Group)
Destination Toyota blanket giveaway ad with QR code (Submitted by Matthew, Burnaby News Leader)
Grant's towing greetings ad (Submitted by Kelli, The Chronicle)
This ad was designed for a special section that we ran for The River Walk. (Submitted by Connie, The Press/The North Ridgeville Press/WestLife News)
I used this Santa because it reminded me of the old fashioned, Coca-Cola type Santa Claus. (Submitted by Connie, The Press/The North Ridgeville Press/WestLife News)
In this ad I was able to use Yoga Santa. I was waiting to use that one. (Submitted by Connie, The Press/The North Ridgeville Press/WestLife News)
This is a web ad created for Ziebart, an auto service center in Monroe advertising their installation of Remote Car Starters. (Submitted by Diana, Monroe Evening News)
The Republican’s Holiday Greeting 2011 (Submitted by Fabian, The Republican News)
Cover of Annual Holiday Supplement inserted in our weekly newspaper before Black Friday. (Submitted by Fabian, The Republican News)
"All I want for Christmas" real estate ad (Submitted by Shirley, Leavenworth Times)
Attached is a house ad for subscribing to our newspaper. (Submitted by Michal, Weekly News Journal)
The client asked us to design a Christmas in July sale ad with a focus on buying American made products. Who knew that I would find a Santa with and American flag hat that would work perfectly for what they needed. A thumbs up for American made products, generating American jobs, savings throughout the store and a chance to win a trip to Virginia Beach. The client was extremely happy with the design. (Submitted by Stephanie, The Frederick News-Post)
Here is a 2 col. x 2" ad for a local pizza place. (Submitted by Heath, Pueblo Chieftain)
Here is a 2 col. x 2" ad for a local spa/styling salon. (Submitted by Heath, Pueblo Chieftain)
Christmas ad for a local bank. (Submitted by Heath, Pueblo Chieftain
Attached is an ad designed for our annual christmas family photo album. (Submitted by Dusty, Graphic Publications)
This is a holiday greeting ad that ran in our Real Estate Weekly tabloid. As a designer for a daily newspaper and magazine, I am limited to the amount of time I spend on each ad and must shoot ideas out as fast as possible. I greatly enjoy using your services for stock photos. The ease and simplicity of your website paired with the high quality and large selection of your images makes my job less stressful and that much faster! God bless, and Merry Christmas! (Submitted by Danielle, The Tribune-Democrat)
Santa Art Contest entry! (Submitted by Kim, Florida Keys Free Press)
A retro ad from gift subscriptions (Submitted by Daniel, Power County Press)
On-line counterpart. (Submitted by Daniel, Power County Press)
Attached is my ad from Country Cat of Sauk Centre to enter into the contest!!! Thanks so much (Submitted by Amanda, Star Publications)
Steve's Homemade Ice Cream ad (Submitted by Sierra, Winnemucca Publishing)
Round Table Pizza ad (Submitted by Sierra, Winnemucca Publishing)
5th Annual Beards and Grins for the Boys and Girls ad. (Submitted by Kim, Florida Keys Free Press)
Hello, My name is James and I would like to enter an Ad I designed into your Santa Ad contest. Thank you and have a Merry Christmas! (Submitted by James, Newsday, Inc.)
The attached ad was designed by graphic designer, Brittany with the McKenzie Banner newspaper for one of our clients, East Side Automotive. We would like to submit the ad for the best ad with Santa contest. Happy holidays! (Submitted by Sharon, McKenzie Banner & Tri-County Publishing)
Santa relaxing after Christmas. (Submitted by Melony, Dothan Eagle)
This ad will be appearing in our December 20th edition... (right before Christmas!) reminding all our readers that Hey, Good Cookies! is the place to find a helping hand in Christmas Gift Giving! (Submitted by Peggy, Lakes News Shopper)
Bar ad (Submitted by Jay, Galena Gazette)
Hello! This is an ad for Deb's Mini Mall that I created for the web using various Metro graphics! (Submitted by Jennifer, The Oneida Daily Dispatch)
Furniture store discount sale. (Submitted by Manon, The Item)
This is the cover of our Letters to Santa using Metro art. Thanks! (Submitted by Mo, The Foothills Sun-Gazette Newspaper)
This is an ad I did for a local car dealership. Thanks! (Submitted by Sarah, Hannibal Courier-Post)
Farmers Dry Cleaners: This ad is a fun-loving ad for a customer that just wants to be noticed. I loved the freedom to create and fell in love with the Santa holding his dry cleaning. What a great opportunity to create an eye-catching ad to get this customer noticed. (Submitted by Sherry, Times Leader)
Fredonia Valley Bank: This customer likes the feel of Christmas magic and loves to see a big Santa spashed in the mist of it. This ad is what I came up with to satisfy that Christmas magic craving. (Submitted by Sherry, Times Leader)
Times Leader gift subscription: We like to encourage subscriptions and Santa's got just the right idea — kicking back in the lazy chair having his paper delivered, reading, resting and staying warm instead of trudging down town to purchase a paper and then coming home too tired to read it. (Submitted by Sherry, Times Leader)
Attached is our entry for the Best Ad With Santa contest. Artwork from various Metro images was combined to create this full page ad for a local dealership. (Submitted by Traci, Thief River Falls Times)
Hi, I submit one ad with artwork of Santa from Metro. (Submitted by Tatyana, Appeal-Democrat)
A local tanning salon wanted a new ad to sell tanning packages over Christmas. This is what we came up with. (Submitted by Traci, Thief River Falls Times)
Happy Holidays! My entry is attached. My ad rep wanted something with a Santa Claus theme, and I wanted something both striking and simple. I think this ad exceeded her expectations. (Submitted by Steven, Mount Airy News)
Web site promo ad using QR code (Submitted by Production at the Keene Sentinel)
Auto ad (Submitted by Suzanne, Galesburg Register-Mail)
Please enter this ad in the "Best Ad With Santa" Facebook Contest. I am a designer for the Columbia Basin Herald. This is an advertisement for a local jewelry company promoting "We Buy Gold" for extra christmas cash. Thank you for your time. (Submitted by Dana, Columbia Basin Herald)
This is one we call "Santa's Favorite Clothing List". (Submitted by Onnica, Ozark County Times)
Hi, I am the editor of The Choctaw Sun-Advocate, a weekly newspaper... Please find attached our entry for the Best Ad with Santa Facebook Contest. The half-page ad was designed by our graphic artist as an in-house promo for our annual Letters to Santa issue to prompt local businesses to advertise in that section. The ad received rave reviews from readers and advertisers, leading to the most successful special section we have published this year. Thank you, Dee Ann (Ad created by Dan, The Choctaw Sun-Advocate)
Submission for the Ad With Santa Contest. Thanks! (Submitted by Andrea, Longview News-Journal)
Santa ad entry (Submitted by Vanessa, News-Journal)
Santa ad entry (Submitted by Vanessa, News-Journal)
Second ad in campaign: "Hello, Metro! I'd like to enter the attached ad in the "Best Ad With Santa" Facebook Contest. The purpose of this ad is to create an interest is this local care center, by displaying ann enthusiastic, positive atmosphere that others will want to belong to. (Submitted by Laura, Lakes News Shopper)
Hello, attached is my PDF file for the Santa Ad Competition. Good luck to everyone involved! (Submitted by Jenn, Sentinel & Enterprise)
A local RV dealership likes to send out Christmas greetings every year to their customers through the Dover Post newspaper. (Submitted by Rob, Dover Post)
Good Morning, I’d like to submit our ad created for a local optometrist from our December 21, 2011 edition of the New Hamburg Independent newspaper. I’ve attached two pdfs - one of just the ad and the second showing the ad placement on the actual printed page. Good luck to all participants!! (Submitted by Marta, New Hamburg Independent)
Subscription promotion (Submitted by Onnica, Ozark County Times)
Attached is my entry for the "Best Ad With Santa" Facebook Contest. This ad was created to run in our annual "Holiday Greeting Special Section". (Submitted by David, The Daily Journal)
This ad was (also) designed for Denny's Restaurant for our Extreme Savings coupon publication. Santa's pack is filled with Denny's Gift Card Bonus Books. Oh what Fun it is to Save! (Submitted by Stephanie, News Post)
This ad was designed for Denny's Restaurant for our Extreme Savings coupon publication. 3 coupons and a reminder to give the perfect gift of a Denny's Gift Card Bonus Book. Santa's pack is filled with Denny's Gift Card Bonus Books. Oh what Fun it is to Save! (Submitted by Stephanie, News Post)
The Santa and Mrs. Claus baking together was the perfect image to use for this ad. The illustration was a soft and inviting tone to entice customers to purchase baking spices at this local gardening center. (Submitted by Lynn, Butler Eagle Newspaper)
This is the ad where I used your Holly image. (H1112P20011C) Thanks for getting back to me so quickly from my comment on your Facebook page. I was so excited when I saw that you wanted to see my ad, I even told my Supervisor. I would also like to use this ad to be entered into your "Best Ad With Santa"Contest. (C084QP16004C) (Submitted by Jessica, Athens Messenger)