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Project Details
Project Details
Release: December 10, 2024
Client: The Coca-Cola Company
Service: 3D Digital Twin
Partners: Accenture · OpenAI · Microsoft · Leonardo.Ai · Universal Music Group
Categories: AI · 3D · DOOH · Character
Coca‑Cola brings ‘Talk to Santa’ - an AI‑driven festive campaign - to outdoor audiences
Mimic Productions teamed up with The Coca-Cola Company to create a photoreal 3D Digital Twin of Haddon Sundblom’s iconic Santa, powering an interactive DeepScreen® experience at Piccadilly Lights, London.
Overview
Coca-Cola’s holiday activation invited passersby to scan a QR code, speak with Santa via AI, and see their memories transformed into personalized virtual snow globes on the UK’s largest advertising canvas.
Using Ocean Outdoor’s immersive DeepScreen® technology, the experience combined 3D character craft with real-time AI to deliver joyful, shareable moments from 3–6pm daily up to Christmas Day.
Project Experience
At Mimic Productions, we were proud to collaborate with Coca-Cola on their “Talk to Santa” holiday activation at Piccadilly Lights. Our team created a photoreal 3D digital twin of Haddon Sundblom’s iconic Santa, ensuring every detail—from the twinkle in his eyes to the texture of his fur-lined suit—translated flawlessly. This gave London audiences a nostalgic yet lifelike encounter with a Christmas legend.
Beyond character creation, we supported the real-time AI pipeline that allowed passersby to scan a QR code, speak with Santa, and see their own holiday memories transformed into bespoke virtual snow globes. Our asset packaging and technical handoff ensured smooth integration, enabling live personalization at an unprecedented scale.
For us, this project was about blending craft and innovation—using the highest fidelity 3D techniques to bring heritage art into the age of AI. Watching audiences stop in their tracks as Santa waved back and conjured their memories into magical snow globes was the ultimate reward. It showcased how immersive technology can spark joy and connection in one of the busiest public spaces in the world.
Mimic’s Contribution
3D Digital Twin — Sundblom Santa
High-fidelity reconstruction faithful to Haddon Sundblom’s original illustrations, optimized for giant DOOH scale and realistic light behavior.
Lookdev, Groom & Render
Photoreal skin, fur, and cloth shading with precision grooming; robust render settings to hold detail under harsh outdoor luminance.
AI & Realtime Pipeline Support
Comprehensive asset packaging, data optimization, and seamless handoff processes designed to support AI training and knowledge base development.
Project Highlights
Credits
Client:
The Coca-Cola Company
Mimic Role
Creative Partner:
Accenture
Technology Partners
3D Digital Twin: Sundblom Santa
Character Lookdev & Groom
Photoreal Lighting & Render for DOOH
AI/Realtime Integration Support
OpenAI
Microsoft
Leonardo.Ai
Universal Music Group
Platform
N/A
We don’t make dreams come true. We make them real.
If we can bring a legend from the archives into the world of AI, we can certainly elevate your brand story. Let’s create the next iconic moment together.