Gap is rolling out the holiday extension of its “Back to Blue” campaign launched earlier this fall. The Xmas push taglined “Make Love,” is all about returning to the things that matter most in our lives—genuine love, respect, compassion, admiration and caring. The new U.S. campaign, starring cultural icons and activists, encompasses prints and outdoor ads, direct mail, social and cinema ads as well as new digital content unveiled on a daily basis.

Old Navy plays on nostalgia in the series of its new holiday ads, created by Crispin Porter + Bogusky to reach US consumers, who have emotional connection to the 1980s and 1990s. The brand is to launch five commercials featuring the Griswolds family characters from the popular comedic “National Lampoon’s Vacation” films, which were a real hit two decades ago. The first of them, “Plug in the Pop,” has already arrived to Old Navy’s YouTube channel, with others to be released soon.

The massive storm Sandy left the New York along with many parts of the eastern United States devastated these days. The hurricane killed at least 50 people and thousands ended up knocked out of their normal life since the disaster caused floods, blackouts and driving millions of losses for insuring companies. While millions of citizens in the area are trying to get over the disaster, brands are also contributing to the recovery—in their ways.

Gap celebrates the school season and promotes its new fall collection for kids by launching the Shine On campaign in the USA and Canada. The new promotion, which basically syncs with the brand’s Be Bright positioning for older consumers, features kids ranging from one to 12 years old, who are spreading joy around themselves and painting a mural on the campus of Daniel Webster Middle School in Los Angeles with vibrant colours.

Gap’s Banana Republic has teamed up with Condé Nast Publications’ Bon Appétit as well as with the online restaurant reservation service OpenTable to launch a new summer apparel collection. The promotion called Desk to Dinner is slated to begin next week and will encompass print ads, direct mail, e-mail, digital content and social media including an Open Table blog, Dining Check.