Aldi has built a perception of itself as an unpretentious supermarket for the cost-conscious. And by using techniques typical of challenger brands – through self-effacing humour and the use of ‘real people’ in ad campaigns – it’s capturing the hearts (and wallets) of the British public.

Storytelling has become a guiding principle for great marketing, letting companies neatly fit into consumers’ lives. But with one well-timed ad capable of changing someone’s shopping habits for years, how can brands address our milestone moments without seeming opportunistic?

After a year marked by divisive rhetoric and seemingly incessant bad news, it’s unsurprising that 2016’s Xmas ads move away from the idea of magical jollity. Canvas8 spoke to Rob Thomas, founder of Practical Semiotics, to understand why the idyllic holiday montage is a thing of the past.

The Super Bowl offers a once-a-year opportunity for brands to go all out on their advertising efforts. For 2017, Honda’s spot showcases real high school yearbook photos of celebrities in a bid to inspire people to chase their dreams – a sentiment that’s welcome in an age of self-betterment.