This year’s BMW holiday campaign, titled “The Gift,” tells the heartwarming story of young Tim, who wants to bring special joy to his beloved grandmother. At the same time, BMW reflects on its journey toward the Neue Klasse by spotlighting an icon of automotive history—the BMW 1500, which in the 1960s marked the dawn of a new era for the brand. The beautifully crafted film at the center of the campaign highlights how the joy of driving connects generations in more ways than one.

The story begins with a stroll through a festively decorated city center. Tim and his parents are on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gift for his grandmother. Despite their traditional suggestions, the 7-year-old confidently rejects each one. Finally, Tim spots the ideal present in a shop window—a gift that will bring immense joy to both his grandmother and himself. Initially hesitant, his parents decide to trust their son’s instincts. On Christmas Eve, surrounded by family, Tim’s grandmother opens the giant package to find a BMW Junior Seat. Instantly, they both know: Tim and his grandmother can now enjoy unforgettable rides together in their classic BMW 1500. After all, joy is the most precious gift, and the joy of driving bridges generations.

The charming holiday film emphasizes BMW’s core value, the Joy of Driving, while making the BMW 1500—introduced over 60 years ago as part of the Neue Klasse—the secret star of the campaign. Filmed in Vienna, the clip is set to the 1980s holiday classic “Christmas in Hollis” by the iconic hip-hop group Run-D.M.C.

 

Social Media Activation Encourages Community Engagement The concept and creative direction for this holiday campaign were developed by the Hamburg-based creative agency Jung von Matt. In collaboration with BMW’s marketing team and the Munich-based production company Hochkant, a 100-second film was produced and will be distributed across BMW’s YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram channels. Additionally, the campaign will feature activations on Netflix in both Germany and the UK. A 60-second version of the film will also air during the holiday programming on German free-to-air TV.

PIRO GmbH is responsible for extending the campaign’s reach on BMW’s social media platforms. The idea of an extraordinary and unconventional gift is explored further through a series of posts, featuring festive visuals of car parts wrapped in gift paper, inviting the community to solve fun little puzzles.
 
 

Generations in Dialogue—A Modern Take on an Iconic Classic

The Joy of Driving and the timeless allure of the BMW 1500 are universal. Another social media strand creatively plays with this intergenerational theme. In it, Tim tries to interact with the vintage car as he would with modern vehicles. The lack of electric windows, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, or other state-of-the-art features doesn’t detract from the fun—Tim’s grandmother always has a trick or two up her sleeve to keep the illusion alive, spark his imagination, and bring true joy to life.