Zevia PBC, Los Angeles, released its holiday ad titled, “Break from Artificial,” taking on the weird and concerning parts of artificiality ― both in commercials and in soda. 

Following consumer criticism this year for the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated commercials, Zevia saw an opportunity to create an ad parodying the unpleasant reality of artificiality and creating awareness for its naturally delicious soda as an alternative, it says.

In the ad, Zevia playfully uses exaggerated AI imagery ― Santa flying in on a drone instead of a sleigh, a polar bear eating presents instead of giving them, and absurdly artificial people enjoying artificial brown beverages. Its intent is to entertain viewers with lighthearted content while showcasing how artificial things are troubling. At the end, the ad transitions to real people enjoying Zevia beverages, making the case that consumers craving something more real should consider Zevia, a soft drink with zero sugar, and made without artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors.

“Artificial things can be convenient, but they can also be concerning to people ― from AI videos without the feeling of human connection to sodas with artificial ingredients,” said Zevia Chief Marketing Officer Kirsten Suarez in a statement. “While our lighthearted parody ad aims to entertain in response to the increasing use of AI in marketing, we hope it starts a conversation about Zevia being a great alternative to artificial sodas. To help spur those conversations, we’re getting bold beyond this specific holiday ad with Zevia’s biggest ever investment levels in marketing to increase awareness and interest of our better-for-you soda brand.”

Launched in 2007 as an alternative soft drink to traditional brands for those looking to avoid both sugars and artificial ingredients, Zevia has been guided by its mission to address global health challenges. Zevia also has focused on accessibility and offers consumers an affordable better-for-you soda brand, it notes.

Zevia’s full soda portfolio includes 18 zero-sugar, naturally sweetened sodas, including top-selling flavors such as Cola, Creamy Root Beer, Vanilla Cola, Black Cherry, Ginger Ale, and Orange Soda, new soda flavor Cran-Raspberry, along with limited-edition flavor and recently launched online exclusive, Salted Caramel. All Zevia beverages have zero artificial colors, zero artificial flavors, zero artificial sweeteners, and are naturally sweetened with plant-based ingredients that are Non-GMO Project verified.