Dec 16, 2024 / by Stephen Erhorn

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and plenty of brands are using press releases to capture the unmistakably cozy and exciting atmosphere that comes with the festive season. This is the perfect time to launch an innovative new product, to tempt your readers’ palates with culinary delights, or to ring in the new year with a heartwarming charitable initiative.

If you’re preparing a holiday-themed release and are searching for some inspiration, look no further than these great holiday-themed press releases that are sure to spread warmth and joy!

 

Disney Debuts a Heartwarming Holiday Short and Gains Serious Engagement

As Asad Ayaz, Chief Brand Officer at the Walt Disney Company, shares with readers in this release, Disney has long been an iconic part of the holiday season around the world. This November, the media giant once again showed support for its long-term charity partner, Make-A-Wish International, which has worked with Disney for 44 years to make more than 155,000 wishes come true for children and their families globally. 

To share this heartwarming news with a wide audience, Disney used PR Newswire to announce The Boy & The Octopus, a cozy YouTube short film produced in collaboration with Academy Award® winner Taika Waititi. 

Of course, the release itself would not have been complete without a hyperlink in the lead paragraph for readers to jump straight to the video itself. This release was picked up by major downstream media outlets such as The Daily Mail and The Scotsman thanks to its warm and nostalgic executive quote, which is of digestible text length.

Most importantly, the release also hints at a generous serving of teasers for several hidden easter eggs and classic Disney melodies to be found in the short that would certainly engage with readers of all ages.

 

The Hershey Company Launches a Seasonal KIT KAT® Shape

US-based fans of the crispy chocolate treat will have Claus for celebration this year with the launch of the first ever Christmas-themed KIT KAT® shape, announced in an engaging release on PR Newswire.

Featuring an image of Santa Claus getting ready to ‘Take a Break’ with a new KIT KAT® Santa, the release offers memory makers visiting Santa the enticing opportunity to try out the festive new addition to the product lineup for free at “Santa Photo Experiences” in Simon locations across three states or to pick up 8.85oz snack bags at retailers across the US. 

Highlighting an exciting winter addition to the KIT KAT® range, this distribution via PR Newswire received attention from outlets including ABC27. Best of all, KIT KAT® Associate Manager Scott Sorenson hints that the seasonal twist on the iconic bar is “sure to become a newfound annual ritual, giving fans a taste of more of what's to come from the brand”.

 

Orange Clove Spreads the Joy of Tantalizing Festive Flavors

Foodies in Singapore can enjoy the chance to “embark on a gastronomic adventure” this holiday season with the wide array of festive treats on offer from Orange Clove, the island nation’s leading events caterer. Their release showcases the exciting range of buffet and catering options, employing vividly descriptive language and mouthwatering imagery that is enough to make any reader hungry.

Introducing the wide array of festive treats available, Orange Clove’s release is rounded off with a tempting Early Bird Offer for event organizers as well as helpful hyperlinks to the full brochure, buffet menus and mini buffet menus.

Some of the delicious highlights on offer that were singled out for coverage included the Christmas Wreath Splendour for up to 30 guests and the Bejeweled Parade Mini Buffet for 15 guests or more, which were both highlighted for coverage by local online media outlets including The Peak Magazine.

 

Helsinki Partners Invite Readers to Explore Winter Wonderland

Travelers heading to Finland this winter on the way to Santa Claus’ hometown in Rovaniemi will be sure to discover a veritable avalanche of tastes, traditions and treats in the Nordic nation’s capital, Helsinki. The city’s marketing company, Helsinki Partners, shared this wonderful release about the “Festive Journey of Flavors” visitors heading to Helsinki can experience this Christmas. 

Celebrating the city’s vibrant restaurant culture, the release highlights some of the unique culinary offers in Helsinki. Explorers may be tempted by the description of a “haven of local flavors and crafts” at The Old Student House Christmas market, which brings Helsinki's past and present together. Other adventurous travelers might prefer to visit the old meat packing district, Teurastamo, which has developed into a “vibrant center of food culture” and will host a weekend-long market which focuses on festive flavors with a twist.

Highlighting a charming range of places to see and things to do in the Finnish capital, we’re sure ‘yule’ love how Helsinki Partners makes a strong case for readers visit their beautiful city this winter. 

 

Aussie Firefighters Bare All for Good Causes Ahead of 2025

Having developed into a well-established tradition ahead of new year celebrations, the Australian Firefighters Calendar marked its 32nd year of captivating fans worldwide with an eye-catching announcement that took full advantage of PR Newswire’s Multichannel News Release (MNR) feature. 

Our MNR feature allows this announcement to shine with a tailor-built website that puts images and videos at the forefront, features always-on-screen hyperlinks that drive engagement, and highlights the 5 themes of the 2025 calendar: Dog, Cat, Horse, Mixed Animal, and Hero.

For the third year in a row, the Australian Firefighters Calendar has announced its launch with us, proceeds raised from sales in over 90 countries will be going to the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and the Kids With Cancer Foundation. In fact, since its launch in 1993, this cherished part of the new year has raised more than AU$3.5 million for a variety of good causes.

 

Conclusion

Now that you've read this smorgasbord of festive releases, here are some takeaways you might want to incorporate into your next holiday-themed release: 

  • Include executive quotes that journalists would be likely to pick up on
  • Lean into your readers’ nostalgia and enthusiasm for the festive season 
  • Employ vivid language to tempt your target audience 
  • Let readers know where (and when) they can experience your offer 
  • Use a range of image and video content to captivate fans 

Your goal when preparing a seasonal release is to drive engagement and enhance the shareability of your content, thereby drawing attention to your latest product or service. By following these tips, we’re sure that your next news story will be a hit!

For more advice on perfecting your festive press releases, speak to us now.

About Stephen Erhorn

Stephen Erhorn is an editor at Cision, based in Beijing. He uses his communications and PR expertise to support clients in refining and distributing their press releases.