Jolabokaflod

Christmas Book Flood • Reading for Pleasure

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The future of reading? AI meets Jolabokaflod (episode #5)

Event announcement: Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a 30-minute live-stream podcast today—Friday, 20 December at 10.30 am. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…

This Christmas season, discover the intersection of AI and literature in a unique and timely podcast episode all about Jolabokaflod—the Icelandic Christmas tradition of gifting books. Join us as we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we write, publish, and experience books, especially during the holidays.

In this episode, we delve into how AI can enhance the book discovery process, from personalised recommendations to AI-driven writing tools that help authors craft their stories. We’ll explore the growing role of AI in the literary world, from automated editing and book marketing to the creative collaboration between humans and machines.

As we embrace the magic of Jolabokaflod, a tradition that celebrates the joy of reading on Christmas Eve, we’ll also reflect on how technology is shaping the future of storytelling. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or simply looking for fresh ways to make your Christmas reading even more exciting, this episode will open your eyes to how AI and books are making the holidays brighter. Tune in for a fascinating look at the future of literature in the age of AI and join the conversation about the books we’ll be reading and gifting this Christmas.

Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how promoting reading for pleasure over the festive season can make the holidays more special and reignite a love for books to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.

On 20 December at 10.30-11.00 am GMT, join Christopher Norris in conversation with Georgia Kirke—Founder of ClioBooks.ai—to discover how AI impacts books, especially in relation to Christmas and the Jolabokaflod tradition.

Share your questions with us in real time.

• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvQRRJwtHv0


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From sleigh bells to book sales: Christmas PR strategies (episode #4)

Event announcement: Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a 30-minute live-stream podcast tomorrow—Friday, 20 December at 9.45 am. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…

As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better time to unwrap a winning strategy for your book’s publicity. In our latest podcast, we dive into the magic of Jolabokaflod — the Icelandic tradition of gifting books on Christmas Eve — and how it can inspire your book PR strategy this festive season.

Join us as we explore how authors and publishers can harness the power of holiday gifting to boost visibility, connect with readers, and tap into the spirit of Christmas. From creating buzz in the weeks leading up to Christmas to leveraging social media and influencer collaborations, we cover actionable tips on making your book the gift everyone’s talking about.

This episode offers practical insights for authors, marketers, and publishers looking to elevate their book’s presence during the busiest shopping season of the year. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday book launch or aiming to maximize seasonal sales, this podcast will help you craft a compelling PR campaign that resonates with readers looking for that perfect gift.

Tune in for a festive, PR-packed conversation that will help your book shine bright this Christmas!

Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how promoting reading for pleasure over the festive season can make the holidays more special and reignite a love for books to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.

On 20 December at 9.45-10.15 am GMT, join Christopher Norris in conversation with Tony Mulliken—Founder of Midas PR—to discover how book PR impacts book sales, especially in relation to Christmas and the Jolabokaflod tradition.

Share your questions with us in real time.

• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srHIdCdAygs


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Jolabokaflod and the promotional gift sector (episode #3)

Event announcement: Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a 30-minute live-stream podcast today—Wednesday, 18 December at 11.00 am. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…

Are you in business and looking to the commercial promotional gift sector to help you to make your holiday offerings stand out this Christmas? Tune into our latest podcast episode, where we dive into the booming trend of Jolabokaflod—the Icelandic Christmas tradition of gifting books—and explore how it can inspire your promotional gifting strategy this holiday season.

In this episode, we’ll explore how the principles of Jolabokaflod, which focuses on thoughtful, meaningful gifts, can be leveraged to create impactful promotional products that resonate with your clients and customers. We’ll discuss creative ways to tailor your holiday gifts to reinforce your brand’s values, boost customer loyalty, and leave a lasting impression.

From unique packaging ideas to selecting high-quality, personalised items, we’ll provide actionable insights that will help you elevate your brand’s presence during the festive season. Plus, we’ll share expert tips on how to make your promotional gifts a standout element of your marketing campaigns.

Whether you’re looking to expand your gift catalog or simply need some fresh ideas for this Christmas, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the promotional products industry. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make this holiday season your most successful yet!

Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how promoting reading for pleasure over the festive season can make the holidays more special and reignite a love for books to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.

On 18 December at 11.00-11.30 am GMT, join Christopher Norris in conversation with Mark Summers—Owner of Summers Print & Promotions—to discover how promotional gifts relate to Christmas and the Jolabokaflod tradition.

Share your questions with us in real time.

• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQMci5Gcgks


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Christmas traditions (Advent calendar, Day 12)

What is the origin story of KFC Christmas?

KFC Christmas (also known in its long form as Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas) is a unique and somewhat unexpected Christmas tradition that originated in Japan. Here’s the story behind how KFC Christmas came about:

Sunburst KFC Christmas advertising in Japan
  • Early promotion in Japan: The tradition of KFC Christmas began in Japan in the 1970s. At the time, Japan did not have a strong tradition of celebrating Christmas, which was seen as a foreign holiday. KFC saw an opportunity to introduce its brand and products to the Japanese market by associating them with Christmas.
  • The “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” campaign: In 1974, KFC Japan launched a marketing campaign with the slogan “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” which translates to “Kentucky for Christmas!” The campaign promoted KFC’s fried chicken as a special Christmas meal, with an emphasis on sharing and celebration.
  • Success and continued tradition: The marketing campaign was a massive success, and the idea of having KFC for Christmas caught on quickly in Japan. It became a popular tradition for families to order KFC chicken buckets for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Interesting anecdotes about KFC Christmas

Colonel Sanders with a Japanese twist
  • Pre-ordering KFC: Due to the popularity of KFC Christmas in Japan, it’s common for people to place their orders well in advance, sometimes weeks ahead of Christmas. KFC locations may even offer special Christmas-themed meal packages.
  • Festive packaging: KFC Japan often packages its Christmas meals in special holiday-themed packaging to enhance the festive atmosphere.
  • Christmas party barrels: One of the most popular items during KFC Christmas in Japan is the “Christmas party barrel,” which includes a variety of fried chicken pieces, side dishes, and even a Christmas cake.
  • Colonel Sanders as Santa: During the Christmas season, Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC, is sometimes dressed up as Santa Claus in advertisements and decorations at KFC locations in Japan.
  • Promotional merchandise: KFC Japan has occasionally released limited-edition Christmas-themed merchandise, such as ornaments and collectibles featuring Colonel Sanders in holiday attire.
  • Global spread: While KFC Christmas is most closely associated with Japan, the tradition has also been embraced in other countries, especially in some Asian nations. In these places, people may enjoy KFC as part of their Christmas celebrations.
  • Alternative to home cooking: KFC Christmas has become a convenient alternative to cooking a traditional Christmas meal at home, especially for busy families.
  • KFC Charity: In some locations, KFC Christmas promotions include charitable initiatives, such as providing meals for those in need during the holiday season.
Dressing up for a KFC dinner

In a nutshell

KFC Christmas in Japan is a testament to the power of effective marketing and the adaptability of holiday traditions. What started as a promotional campaign has become a beloved and enduring Christmas tradition for many in Japan, offering a unique way to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends over a bucket of fried chicken.

Coda

No prompt seems to be too tricky for DALL-E 3 to address. This time, imagine the Yule Lads on tour over Christmas in a Japanese/Icelandic hybrid landscape, enjoying a KFC Christmas along with the locals. Here are the results.


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Book Bulletin: Hall of Fame

bokati%e2%88%82indi-4-bathtimeWe are marking the start of the crowdfunding phase of the Book Bulletin campaign – to raise money for next year’s Jolabokaflod UK events and marketing – by adding two new features to the website. Here is the second of these new features.

Hall of Fame

We have add a new section – our Hall of Fame pages – to recognise the financial contributions of supporters of Jolabokaflod Book Campaign crowdfunding projects, including the Book Bulletin.

Anyone who purchases a reward valued as £10 or more gets their name, company and/or project details uploaded for display on these pages as our way of saying ‘Thank you’ by way of public recognition.

We value everyone’s contributions and, in return, we are delighted to support you and your companies/projects with links and digital media promotion.