Amazon hosting Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales; runs Beatles ad

Amazon is starting Black Friday a little early and featuring the Fab Four in its new holiday ad campaign.

The online giant will begin its Black Friday event Friday, Nov. 17, followed by its Cyber Monday weekend event starting Saturday, Nov. 25, and running through Monday, Nov. 27.  Amazon’s Black Friday promotion will include the opportunity for Amazon Prime members to shop deals during the Prime Video broadcast of the first-ever Black Friday NFL game, between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 24. Anyone with a Prime account, including new users, will be able to watch the game for free on any device from anywhere. 

Other Black Friday/Cyber Monday offerings include curated gift lists, including a “Shop by Interest” list featuring shoppable photos and videos created by influencers, including celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker as well as Amazon influencers, other customers, and brands.

Customers can also get personalized deal notifications from Alexa voice assistant-enabled devices up to 24 hours in advance on eligible items within their wish lists, carts, or “Saved for Later” lists. Throughout the season customers can ask, “Alexa, what are my deals?” They can also ask Alexa to remind them of deals once they are live, or ask Alexa to make a purchase when a deal is available by saying, “Alexa, buy it for me.”

Other early Black Friday offerings from Amazon include:

• Invite-only deals: Starting Monday, Nov. 13, Prime members can sign up for the chance to receive invite-only deals on select products expected to sell out this holiday season. If selected, Prime members will be notified via email and a push notification on a rolling basis Nov. 19-22, with instructions on how to purchase the item. Prime members who are not selected will also be notified via email by Nov. 22. 
• Earn more with Amazon store card and Prime Visa: From Nov. 21-27, customers can get a $100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval for the Amazon store card, and from Nov. 17 through Dec. 4, Prime members can get a $200 Amazon gift gard instantly upon approval for a Prime Visa. From Nov. 17-27, Prime members with a Prime Visa or Prime store card can earn an extra 1% back (for a total of 6% back) on their orders when they select no-rush shipping at checkout. 
• Save in Amazon Fresh stores: From Nov. 15-28, customers can obtain15% off in-store purchases of $50 or more in Amazon Fresh stores, and Prime members can receive 25% off in-store purchases of $50 or more from Amazon Fresh (terms apply).

Amazon’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale marks the third major 2023 holiday promotional event for the e-tailer, following its recent Prime Big Deal Days “early holiday” promotion aimed at Prime members and the two-week Holiday Beauty Haul sale on cosmetics and beauty items, which wrapped up Sunday, Nov. 5.

Amazon unveils 2023 global holiday ad campaign featuring The Beatles

In an email to Chain Store Age, Amazon announced the launch of its 2023 holiday ad campaign, “Joy is Shared,” featuring a 60-second film, titled “Joy Ride,” that tells the story of three lifelong friends reviving the snow-filled holidays of their youth with assistance of a sled purchased from the Amazon shopping app.The ad features an instrumental rendition of the classic Beatles song “In My Life.”

“This year’s Holiday campaign is inspired by our Amazon customers and their thoughtful ideas and traditions,” said Jo Shoesmith, VP global CCO, Amazon. “The stories we tell serve as a reminder that sometimes the joy you receive from doing something special, for those you love, can uplift us all at this time of year. We also wanted to give these wonderful women the chance to celebrate the different facets of themselves and how they express joy, regardless of their age.”