WEBVTT - Reissue: From villain to icon: Why the Grinch is everywhere this Christmas

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<v Speaker 1>Kyota at Chelsea Daniels here, host of the Front Page.

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<v Speaker 1>We're taking away breakover summer, but to help fild the gap,

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<v Speaker 1>we're re issuing some of our most significant episodes of

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<v Speaker 1>twenty twenty five on behalf of the Front Page team.

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<v Speaker 1>Thanks for listening and we look forward to being back

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<v Speaker 1>with you on January twelfth, twenty twenty six.

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<v Speaker 2>Kyota.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm Chelsea Daniels and this is the Front Page, a

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<v Speaker 1>daily podcast presented by The New Zealand Herald. The mistletoes hung,

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<v Speaker 1>the bells are a ringing, and all through the malls

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<v Speaker 1>Mariah Carey is singing. It's the same old story told

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<v Speaker 1>year after year of Santa and reindeer and widespread good cheer.

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<v Speaker 1>But look a bit closer and you might see a

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<v Speaker 1>crack in the stronghold Saint Nick has had since way back,

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<v Speaker 1>where once stood a hero redcoat and beard white, a

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<v Speaker 1>sack on his slag promising Christmas delight, now stands a

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<v Speaker 1>figure towering six foot too tall with a coat of

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<v Speaker 1>green fur are heard two sizes too small. The Grinch

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<v Speaker 1>who stole Christmas is making a play for the title

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<v Speaker 1>of hero. Come this Yule tied day before Old Saint Nick,

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<v Speaker 1>this might not end well and to give us the

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<v Speaker 1>low down, Doctor Lorna Piati Farnell. So, Lorna, have you

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<v Speaker 1>noticed more Grinch presents this year?

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<v Speaker 2>I definitely have. I have noticed that a lot more

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<v Speaker 2>Grinch themed merchandise around in this Christmas season. This has

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<v Speaker 2>ranged from all sorts that you know, like of products

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<v Speaker 2>from T shirts to matching family pajamas, plushes, Christmas tree decorations,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, very cute Grinch themed ornaments, and even a

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<v Speaker 2>lot of food tins of chocolates, tins of cookies the

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<v Speaker 2>Grench on them, and of course food lines for children

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<v Speaker 2>at a very well known first food restaurant I know

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<v Speaker 2>here in Auckland for instance, at a particularly quite exciting

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<v Speaker 2>Christmas New Christmas experience this year, families can choose to

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<v Speaker 2>have their picture taken either with Santa or the Grench.

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<v Speaker 2>So it's not just there, but it's been elevated to

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<v Speaker 2>the same level of you know, Christmas iconicity as Santa.

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<v Speaker 2>You can actually have it taken with both, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>like if anyone is so inclined. So there's definitely been

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<v Speaker 2>a spike in the ways in which the Grench has

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<v Speaker 2>been used for marketing and merchandise in purposes this Christmas

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<v Speaker 2>season for sure.

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<v Speaker 1>Well, it's funny that you mentioned that because this is

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<v Speaker 1>where I started my journey, because I got an email

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<v Speaker 1>from a Christmas photo outfit. I believe they're called Enchanted

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<v Speaker 1>Christmas in New Market.

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<v Speaker 2>Very well, I was thinking about it.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, and so they give you the option of going

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<v Speaker 1>with the center of the Grinch or both. I emailed

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<v Speaker 1>them and they said this is the first year they're

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<v Speaker 1>giving the option. They actually got the idea from the UK.

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<v Speaker 1>It's really popular over there apparently, and bookings sat at

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<v Speaker 1>about thirty percent of Santa So the Grinch of thirty

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<v Speaker 1>percent of Santa when I asked, And groups of adults

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<v Speaker 1>are actually preferring to book a picture with the Grinch.

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<v Speaker 1>I mean, in terms of this situation, I've been scratching

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<v Speaker 1>my head because I too have seen a lot more

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<v Speaker 1>Grinch presence. I've done a survey amongst all of my

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<v Speaker 1>friends with kids. They say, yes, we're not going insane.

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<v Speaker 1>And I was trying to think, well, why why the

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<v Speaker 1>Grinch all of a sudden, have you any idea?

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<v Speaker 2>Well, I think there's a certain appeal to the Grench

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<v Speaker 2>for quite a few reasons. I think on the one hand,

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<v Speaker 2>it represents the bit of a cheeky and perhaps counterculture

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<v Speaker 2>view of Christmas. You know, of all those Christmas traditions

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<v Speaker 2>that were you know, we come to know and love.

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<v Speaker 2>He's quite the opposite of Chia number of wise, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>what we expect of the Christmas season. You know, it's

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<v Speaker 2>quite funny. It puts up a bit of a protest

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<v Speaker 2>against the over the top atmosphere of Christmas and the

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<v Speaker 2>Christmas spirit overall. So there is definitely something quite appealing

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<v Speaker 2>about is grinchiness, you know, because some of us may

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<v Speaker 2>feel a bit bahmbg about Christmas and how it's so

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<v Speaker 2>you know, like hyped every year. So there's definitely that

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<v Speaker 2>appeal as well. But I also think as a figure,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, like when we get down to it, the

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<v Speaker 2>Grinch is a very relatable, you know character. You know,

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<v Speaker 2>it's it's quite lonely. Struggles with isolation, it struggles with loneliness,

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<v Speaker 2>it struggles with having meaningful connections at a time when

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<v Speaker 2>that season tells us that we must have those meaningful connections,

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<v Speaker 2>so that this is the meaning of the season. You know,

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<v Speaker 2>we live in a very hyper technological twenty first century

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<v Speaker 2>where a lot of our lives are in the digital world.

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<v Speaker 2>So the loss of connection is something that I think

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<v Speaker 2>speaks quite loudly to people. So even though the Grinch,

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<v Speaker 2>of course, is not about being online and being on

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<v Speaker 2>the Internet, it still has that core idea, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>that we can get a little bit lonely at Christmas,

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<v Speaker 2>and we can struggle, you know, to make those connections,

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<v Speaker 2>and I think in the end is transformation, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>into an individual scho is quite lonely, but get cup

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<v Speaker 2>comes to get you know, like understand the meaning of Christmas. Again,

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<v Speaker 2>it is quite relatable, and I think his story is

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<v Speaker 2>popular precisely because it tackles things like loneliness, but also

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<v Speaker 2>the hyper commercialization of Christmas, which is something that you know,

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<v Speaker 2>I think some of us have become quite aware of

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<v Speaker 2>these holidays and it's this pushed to buy, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>I can produce presents and do something fantastic. Of course,

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<v Speaker 2>having said that, there is probably something quite ironic about

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<v Speaker 2>the fact that the Grinch figure has become so heavily commercialized.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I was going to say, you know it, didn't

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<v Speaker 1>he say something like what if Christmas? He thought, doesn't

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<v Speaker 1>come from a store yet?

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<v Speaker 2>You've got, you know, the jamas, and it's intrinsic to

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<v Speaker 2>the Grench story. Right, So we see the rony here

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<v Speaker 2>of the figure I have become so commercialized. But of course,

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<v Speaker 2>also in terms of why he is appealing, we must

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<v Speaker 2>not forget that the Grench comes from a very beloved Dr.

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<v Speaker 2>Sue's book, which has been you know, like since nineteen

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<v Speaker 2>fifty six. So there's definitely and all the film and

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<v Speaker 2>animated adaptations that have come after, of course, and there

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<v Speaker 2>have been a few. It's humorous, and undoubtedly there is

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<v Speaker 2>a lot of for some of us at least turned

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<v Speaker 2>up on myself in that group, a lot of deep

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<v Speaker 2>rooted nostalgia that heightens the appeal of the Grinch figure

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<v Speaker 2>with the public.

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<v Speaker 3>Undoubtedly every who down in Hoover liked Christmas a lot.

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<v Speaker 2>Broom stop the colors.

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<v Speaker 3>You could change my entire look on life. Warril no.

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<v Speaker 4>Jim carry even if we're horribly Mandelby's had faces on

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<v Speaker 4>Grace my stuff, doctors who says how the Grinch store Christmas?

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<v Speaker 2>Even if I wanted to go my shit, all wouldn't

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<v Speaker 2>allow it.

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<v Speaker 3>Four o'clock wall, I went self Paddy checkstading dinner with me.

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<v Speaker 4>I can't can't tell that again.

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<v Speaker 1>I was surprised to see that it's actually the twenty

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<v Speaker 1>fifth anniversary of the Jim Carrey adaptation that film, so

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<v Speaker 1>I was thinking, well, could that have something to do

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<v Speaker 1>with why we're seeing him especially so much this year,

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<v Speaker 1>or is it just all millennials growing up and having

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<v Speaker 1>kids and you know, exposing their children, this new generation

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<v Speaker 1>to the gringeh.

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<v Speaker 2>Is the end of the twenty fifth anniversary, isn't it?

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<v Speaker 2>That's come around far too quickly for my liking. But undoubtedly,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, the Jim Carrey movie definitely had a very

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<v Speaker 2>generational impact, you know, like for millennials, you know, like

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<v Speaker 2>it was a big Grench narrative of the time. The

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<v Speaker 2>renewed interest in the Grinch came with that movie. But

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<v Speaker 2>I don't think the Jim Carrey movie is the only

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<v Speaker 2>reason why we're witnessing a growth or resurfacing of popularity

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<v Speaker 2>of the grinching you know, Christmas merchandise. Certainly the items

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<v Speaker 2>that I've seen of the Grinch particularly recalled the Doctor

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<v Speaker 2>Seuss illustrations or even more so the nineteen sixty six adaptation,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, cartoon adaptation, which has become quite iconic over

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<v Speaker 2>the years. So I think all these different Grench narratives

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<v Speaker 2>and older nostalgia that they brought up at a time

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<v Speaker 2>where the world is not in the most fantastic place.

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<v Speaker 2>Perhaps so some of us may turned to nostalgia, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>like to make us feel a bit better to share

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<v Speaker 2>with our family, you know, like if we you know,

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<v Speaker 2>people have children and are of that general where the

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<v Speaker 2>Grench you know, like got a little bit of a

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<v Speaker 2>boost in the nineties and early two thousands. Certainly this

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<v Speaker 2>is the right time for the Grench as a figure

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<v Speaker 2>to capture the imagination at Christmas.

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<v Speaker 1>It does seem quite strange how a figure, a Christmas

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<v Speaker 1>specific figure has come along and is able to at

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<v Speaker 1>least compete with Father Christmas at the top of the

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<v Speaker 1>leader board when it comes to fictional or non fictional,

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<v Speaker 1>if anyone, you know, off the top, I mean, should

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<v Speaker 1>the Easter bunny be worried? I know in Australia we

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<v Speaker 1>had there was a resurgence of the Easter Bilby at

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<v Speaker 1>one point because you know, farmers don't like rabbits on

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<v Speaker 1>their farms and everything. But the Easter Bilby really didn't

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<v Speaker 1>you know, take off, so to speak. Only Australia. Some

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<v Speaker 1>Australians of a certain generation probably know who the Easter

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<v Speaker 1>Bilby is.

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<v Speaker 2>Do you reckon that there's any.

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<v Speaker 1>Other figures or fictional characters out there that could you know,

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<v Speaker 1>give other others a run for their money?

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<v Speaker 2>So we're wondering and if the Grinch has indeed stolen

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<v Speaker 2>Christmas in more ways than one, well two parts of this.

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<v Speaker 2>In spite of the Grinch's popularity that we're seeing this year,

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<v Speaker 2>this incredible resurgence is everywhere. Yeah, old the nostalgia, older merchandise.

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<v Speaker 2>Santa is very much still there, you know, It's still

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<v Speaker 2>very much in all the merchandise, is in the shop displays,

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<v Speaker 2>is in the picture opportunities you know that we can have,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, like it is in the adverts. It's Christmas adverts.

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<v Speaker 2>So I don't quite think Santa at least is at

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<v Speaker 2>a risk of losing is thrown as the King of Christmas.

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<v Speaker 2>As for other figures, well that remains to be seen,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, Like I'm not sure the Easter Bunny has

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<v Speaker 2>enough competition, you know, in popular culture quite yet, of course,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, like there are the Christian traditions, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>like around something you know, a celebration like Easter that

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<v Speaker 2>do not necessarily involved that is the bunny. So again,

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<v Speaker 2>we've got quite a few offshoots, But as far as

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<v Speaker 2>Christmas is concerned, it's quite nice to see a little

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<v Speaker 2>bit of an alternative different ways, diverse ways of celebrating

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<v Speaker 2>Christmas and different Christmas psyconomic iciography is coming into the

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<v Speaker 2>full ground that are not necessarily the traditional you know

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<v Speaker 2>narrative that we've been known to. This is a sign

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<v Speaker 2>that you know, people are embracing different ways of seeing

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<v Speaker 2>the world and I think that is quite pleasing.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, how do you think Christmas marketing has evolved over

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<v Speaker 1>the years and what's like kind of stayed the same

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<v Speaker 1>and what's really different.

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<v Speaker 2>Well, I think Christmas marketing, some aspects of it have

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<v Speaker 2>really changed, you know, has really changed over the years.

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<v Speaker 2>I think we have moved a little bit away from

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<v Speaker 2>the traditional perhaps products you know, material focused campaigns that

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<v Speaker 2>traditionally historically use the print and broadcast media you know,

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<v Speaker 2>like as the primary venue, you know, like to get

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<v Speaker 2>out there two more contemporary and perhaps emotionally and values

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<v Speaker 2>driven marketing that uses a lot more of social media

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<v Speaker 2>and storytelling to create a connection, you know, like with people,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, with in the end, we're still talking about buying,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, like we're still talking about purchasing items. But

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<v Speaker 2>I think that's storytelling aspects and that emotional aspects. It

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<v Speaker 2>has become a lot more central to marketing that perhaps

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<v Speaker 2>it has been historically.

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<v Speaker 5>Now.

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<v Speaker 2>Key factors that might have influenced this, of course, include

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<v Speaker 2>the rise of online shopping. A lot more people do

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<v Speaker 2>their shopping online, so we have needed to change, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>like how we create that connection. The use of digital

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<v Speaker 2>platforms for targeted advertising, including platforms such as Instagram that

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<v Speaker 2>are very picture you know, like emotional focused, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>like that emotional response, and of course an evolution in

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<v Speaker 2>you know, campaigns that tend to reflect social values a

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<v Speaker 2>lot more. I think traditionally Christmas marketing as tend to

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<v Speaker 2>put forward a very family still Christian inspired, family centric narrative,

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<v Speaker 2>while we see our Christmas marketing has become, you know,

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<v Speaker 2>in the digital world, a lot more diverse and a

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<v Speaker 2>lot more inclusive of different experience and experiences and different situations.

0:13:34.419 --> 0:13:39.259
<v Speaker 2>And of course within that, I think there is the understanding,

0:13:39.458 --> 0:13:42.858
<v Speaker 2>you know, like in the shift that for the majority

0:13:42.858 --> 0:13:45.219
<v Speaker 2>of people, not all, but for a good portion of

0:13:45.259 --> 0:13:49.379
<v Speaker 2>the population. Christmas is a secular experience rather than perhaps

0:13:49.419 --> 0:13:53.338
<v Speaker 2>a Christian one, but still places an emphasis on community,

0:13:53.858 --> 0:13:57.419
<v Speaker 2>on family, on the importance of coming together, and the

0:13:57.458 --> 0:14:01.819
<v Speaker 2>importance of celebrating. So I think Christmas marketing has taken

0:14:01.899 --> 0:14:05.379
<v Speaker 2>all those shifts, social and cultural shifts into account to

0:14:05.458 --> 0:14:08.259
<v Speaker 2>present us with something that is a lot more focused

0:14:08.299 --> 0:14:12.578
<v Speaker 2>on experience rather than the product itself that they're selling, Like,

0:14:12.618 --> 0:14:15.299
<v Speaker 2>what is this going to do for me? On? Do

0:14:15.458 --> 0:14:18.299
<v Speaker 2>this to create memories? You know, the idea of creative

0:14:18.338 --> 0:14:21.179
<v Speaker 2>memories is very, very central, I think to Christmas marketing,

0:14:21.459 --> 0:14:23.539
<v Speaker 2>and we see it even with the types of products

0:14:23.779 --> 0:14:26.699
<v Speaker 2>that have become very central, you know, to a lot

0:14:26.739 --> 0:14:32.099
<v Speaker 2>of our Christmas experiences, like taking Christmas photos with the family.

0:14:32.619 --> 0:14:35.379
<v Speaker 2>You know, that's become one of the big sellers like Christmas,

0:14:35.419 --> 0:14:38.299
<v Speaker 2>you know, rather than just gifting something's gifting the experience

0:14:38.339 --> 0:14:41.499
<v Speaker 2>and gifted memory. So we definitely see that shift and

0:14:42.299 --> 0:14:46.219
<v Speaker 2>the emotional storytelling and the message focused marketing has become

0:14:46.339 --> 0:14:51.099
<v Speaker 2>very central. But of course we're not forgetting the material side,

0:14:51.219 --> 0:14:54.419
<v Speaker 2>you know, the experience, the big windows displays, et cetera,

0:14:54.459 --> 0:14:57.619
<v Speaker 2>et cetera, the lights, the decorations, even in the streets

0:14:57.979 --> 0:15:00.459
<v Speaker 2>are still there, so we see I think a bit

0:15:00.499 --> 0:15:04.219
<v Speaker 2>more of a balanced experience with Christmas marketing that takes

0:15:04.259 --> 0:15:08.059
<v Speaker 2>into account the product, of course we're still selling, but

0:15:08.179 --> 0:15:11.219
<v Speaker 2>also puts in the foreground the experience of Christmas and

0:15:11.219 --> 0:15:12.779
<v Speaker 2>why it's meaningful for people.

0:15:19.019 --> 0:15:24.699
<v Speaker 3>Could it be so it came without ribbons, it came

0:15:24.739 --> 0:15:31.259
<v Speaker 3>without tags, It came without packages, boxes or bags.

0:15:33.059 --> 0:15:37.139
<v Speaker 5>He puzzled and puzzed to he's puzzle of a saw.

0:15:37.819 --> 0:15:42.538
<v Speaker 5>Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas,

0:15:42.539 --> 0:15:48.539
<v Speaker 5>he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps

0:15:49.699 --> 0:15:51.339
<v Speaker 5>means a little bit more.

0:15:54.019 --> 0:15:58.099
<v Speaker 1>When you said that, the emotional switch on the ads

0:15:58.459 --> 0:16:03.898
<v Speaker 1>immediately made me think of the John Lewis ads ink. Yes,

0:16:04.019 --> 0:16:06.099
<v Speaker 1>so every year they come out with one, and it's

0:16:06.179 --> 0:16:08.219
<v Speaker 1>like they're coming out with them every year to see

0:16:08.219 --> 0:16:10.499
<v Speaker 1>how many more people they can get to cry. Really,

0:16:10.979 --> 0:16:13.138
<v Speaker 1>the one that comes to my mind is the Elton

0:16:13.259 --> 0:16:16.459
<v Speaker 1>John one, but they're really famous for bringing that that,

0:16:16.779 --> 0:16:19.899
<v Speaker 1>you know, that loving and caring and so it really

0:16:20.059 --> 0:16:23.659
<v Speaker 1>is that kind of marketing switch from bye bye bye

0:16:23.739 --> 0:16:26.099
<v Speaker 1>to you know, what can you do for your family

0:16:26.139 --> 0:16:31.018
<v Speaker 1>and your friends and everything for Christmas? Absolutely, On one hand, though,

0:16:31.099 --> 0:16:34.419
<v Speaker 1>I actually have seen a more sustainable approach to Christmas.

0:16:34.499 --> 0:16:37.059
<v Speaker 1>I actually found myself watching a whole bunch of TikTok

0:16:37.139 --> 0:16:40.939
<v Speaker 1>videos on how to wrap presents and silk scarves. But

0:16:41.019 --> 0:16:43.579
<v Speaker 1>on the other hand, I also have seen those videos

0:16:43.579 --> 0:16:46.939
<v Speaker 1>of influences with a massive tree with you know, presence

0:16:47.059 --> 0:16:50.859
<v Speaker 1>piled up to the ceiling. So there are those two extremes,

0:16:51.419 --> 0:16:53.059
<v Speaker 1>for sure, what do you make of that?

0:16:53.659 --> 0:16:56.539
<v Speaker 2>I think absolutely I've also seen, you know, like the

0:16:56.579 --> 0:17:00.299
<v Speaker 2>pictures with Christmas, you know, like the bigger, the better, right,

0:17:00.579 --> 0:17:03.339
<v Speaker 2>you know, like huge Christmas trees going all the way

0:17:03.379 --> 0:17:06.458
<v Speaker 2>to the ceiling and so many presents that you gotta wonder,

0:17:06.699 --> 0:17:09.859
<v Speaker 2>you know, what's in all those boxes, et cetera, et cetera.

0:17:10.019 --> 0:17:13.179
<v Speaker 2>And also a push I think for influencers to put

0:17:13.219 --> 0:17:17.658
<v Speaker 2>forward Christmas products, things like Advan calendars you all like

0:17:17.779 --> 0:17:22.019
<v Speaker 2>that again put the emphasis on that materialistic side, which

0:17:22.219 --> 0:17:25.779
<v Speaker 2>eventually is a little bit of a throwaway experience when

0:17:25.779 --> 0:17:27.939
<v Speaker 2>it comes to it, with all the packaging. But I've

0:17:27.979 --> 0:17:30.539
<v Speaker 2>also I agree with you that I've also seen a

0:17:30.659 --> 0:17:34.019
<v Speaker 2>rise in a desire for a more sustainable Christmas with

0:17:34.259 --> 0:17:36.779
<v Speaker 2>many people, and even we see this on social media,

0:17:36.899 --> 0:17:40.179
<v Speaker 2>you know, like so many videos and so many tips

0:17:40.219 --> 0:17:43.939
<v Speaker 2>for adopting a more environmentally conscious you know, a way

0:17:43.979 --> 0:17:47.219
<v Speaker 2>to reduce and ways to reduce waste or you know,

0:17:47.379 --> 0:17:51.379
<v Speaker 2>choosing eco friendly gifts made with eco friendly materials. I

0:17:51.419 --> 0:17:54.099
<v Speaker 2>think there's a lot more conscious consciousness and you know,

0:17:54.179 --> 0:17:57.819
<v Speaker 2>desire to engage in that. And of course even with

0:17:58.099 --> 0:18:01.419
<v Speaker 2>the our Christmas lunches and our Christmas meals, opting for

0:18:01.539 --> 0:18:05.339
<v Speaker 2>more local and seasonal foods, you know, like for the

0:18:05.419 --> 0:18:07.979
<v Speaker 2>Christmas season, there's definitely been a rise in that and

0:18:07.979 --> 0:18:10.059
<v Speaker 2>I've seen it in a lot of different contexts. So

0:18:10.819 --> 0:18:15.459
<v Speaker 2>this also includes embracing experiences, like we said, over material goods.

0:18:15.779 --> 0:18:18.539
<v Speaker 2>That is also part of that sustainability, you know, like

0:18:18.579 --> 0:18:21.979
<v Speaker 2>there goes hand in hand with the desire to feel

0:18:22.019 --> 0:18:24.979
<v Speaker 2>connected to people and look after the planet, you know.

0:18:25.059 --> 0:18:28.579
<v Speaker 2>I think that is all part of the same narrative reusing,

0:18:28.779 --> 0:18:32.699
<v Speaker 2>you know, using reusable gift wrapping, perhaps his scarf or

0:18:32.699 --> 0:18:35.899
<v Speaker 2>perhaps just beautiful fabric that can be used, you know,

0:18:36.019 --> 0:18:38.499
<v Speaker 2>like a year in and year out. I've also seen

0:18:38.859 --> 0:18:45.619
<v Speaker 2>several lines of reusable Christmas crackers, you know, Christmas farm.

0:18:45.459 --> 0:18:48.619
<v Speaker 1>Bars yes so long actually, yes, that.

0:18:48.659 --> 0:18:51.659
<v Speaker 2>You can make yourself every year. And also choose much

0:18:51.699 --> 0:18:55.099
<v Speaker 2>more meaningful little gifts that you can give, you know,

0:18:55.339 --> 0:18:58.019
<v Speaker 2>to your friends and family and be sustainable in the

0:18:58.059 --> 0:19:01.299
<v Speaker 2>process as well. So there's definitely a conscious effort, and

0:19:01.379 --> 0:19:04.859
<v Speaker 2>these are just examples of sustainability, you know, becoming part

0:19:04.939 --> 0:19:07.579
<v Speaker 2>you know of how many people think about their daily lives,

0:19:07.579 --> 0:19:11.499
<v Speaker 2>their interest in the planet, their interest in being environmentally conscious,

0:19:11.859 --> 0:19:15.819
<v Speaker 2>and also how it goes hand in hand with building memories.

0:19:15.859 --> 0:19:18.739
<v Speaker 2>Building experiences is now a normal part of our Christmas

0:19:18.779 --> 0:19:19.779
<v Speaker 2>life abrations.

0:19:20.539 --> 0:19:24.459
<v Speaker 1>So lastly, Launa, do you in fact think the Grinch

0:19:25.299 --> 0:19:26.699
<v Speaker 1>will steal Christmas?

0:19:27.979 --> 0:19:31.499
<v Speaker 2>I've certainly been trying for quite a few years now.

0:19:32.219 --> 0:19:32.619
<v Speaker 1>I think the.

0:19:33.259 --> 0:19:35.939
<v Speaker 2>Grinch may have come to accepted that some parts of

0:19:36.019 --> 0:19:39.339
<v Speaker 2>Christmas might be his. And you know, it never turns

0:19:39.379 --> 0:19:42.699
<v Speaker 2>down an opportunity for bar and humbug, which I think

0:19:42.739 --> 0:19:45.019
<v Speaker 2>some of us might want to join in a little bit.

0:19:45.859 --> 0:19:48.019
<v Speaker 2>But I think, like with everything, a little bit of

0:19:48.059 --> 0:19:51.179
<v Speaker 2>balance it makes for a much happier experience at Christmas.

0:19:51.299 --> 0:19:54.739
<v Speaker 2>And in the end, everyone should do what brings their

0:19:54.859 --> 0:19:57.099
<v Speaker 2>joy and brings them joy and you know, like do

0:19:57.179 --> 0:20:00.179
<v Speaker 2>with their heart's desire to have the best experience they

0:20:00.219 --> 0:20:01.299
<v Speaker 2>can at Christmas.

0:20:01.939 --> 0:20:03.859
<v Speaker 1>Thanks so much, for joining us, Lorna.

0:20:04.259 --> 0:20:05.658
<v Speaker 2>Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure.

0:20:08.419 --> 0:20:11.619
<v Speaker 1>That's it for this episode of the Front Page. You

0:20:11.659 --> 0:20:15.579
<v Speaker 1>can read more about today's stories and extensive news coverage

0:20:15.579 --> 0:20:20.299
<v Speaker 1>at enzidhrald dot co dot nz. Front Page is produced

0:20:20.299 --> 0:20:24.019
<v Speaker 1>by Jane Yee and Richard Martin, who is also our editor.

0:20:24.539 --> 0:20:28.819
<v Speaker 1>I'm Chelsea Daniels. Subscribe to The Front Page on iHeartRadio

0:20:29.059 --> 0:20:32.499
<v Speaker 1>or wherever you get your podcasts, and tune in tomorrow

0:20:32.619 --> 0:20:34.579
<v Speaker 1>for another look behind the headlines.