Microsoft celebrates the “Art of Harmony” in new holiday ad

Arif Bacchus

From the good moments, the bad moments and the ugly moments, 2016 has been one interesting, and at times, tense year. It is fitting then that Microsoft has just released a new holiday ad which promotes positivity, harmony, diversity, and inspiration (via AdAge.)

Developed by M:United/McCann New York, the 1 minute and 43-second ad lifts people up and reminds them that ordinary people can make a difference. Seven people are featured in the ad, and they all are seen using Microsoft products to make a collaborative drawing which ultimately shows their vision of hope, peace, and beauty. The ad also sends a positive message and focuses on the spirit of the holidays, which is people coming together and celebrating what is good and right with the world.

The seven people seen in the ad should be familiar to the public, as they have been in the news throughout the year for their causes which have made a difference in the world. Florida police officer Bobby White, who was seen on video playing basketball with local youth, poet and activist Mona Haydar, and 9 -year-old Zianna Oliphant (famous for her speech to the Charlotte City Council after protests in the area) are just a few of the figures who play key roles in the video’s message.

In a statement published by AdAge, Kathleen Hall, corporate VP of brand advertising and research at Microsoft, reflected on the ad:

We knew it’s been a rough year and people have been exposed to a lot of challenging issues…We hope this gives people some positivity and hope in the season which is what it should be about.”

The advertisement ends with the group all standing together with their final product on display beneath the NYC skyline at the  Jane’s Carousel in Dumbo, Brooklyn. A 60-second version of the Microsoft ad will air on national networks such as NBC, ABC, and FOX, with the full version airing online on Facebook and YouTube.