Santa, baby! Target is giving Kris Kringle a sexy makeover in new holiday ads — and eager viewers can’t get enough

On By Littum

Forget Santa – “Daddy Claus” is coming to town.

Target has given Santa a sexy seasonal makeover in a series of playful new holiday ads that will make viewers melt.

The retailer has cast hunky male model Brent Bailey in the role of St. Nick, where the muscular silver fox forgoes a classic Santa suit in favor of a tight-fitting red sweater.

In the ads, Bailey plays a Target employee who goes after “Kris K.” The first in a series of nine planned commercials was revealed last week.

In it, Bailey drives a cherry red Ford Bronco, emblazoned with a custom license plate that reads “SLEIGH,” while the song “Born to Be Wild” blares in the background.

Kris from Target, played by a gray-haired and bearded Brent Bailey, is a beautiful iteration of the traditional Santa Claus. Goal

In another commercial — titled “He’s hot, but these turkey goals are hotter,” which has racked up 5 million views — a shopper calls him “weirdly hot” while picking out a $0.79 turkey ahead of Thanksgiving.

IN a third clipthe sexy Santa is seen bicep curling off a small tree as he moves through a Target store.

You want your Claus into him! The newest Target employee, known as “Kris K,” is called “weirdly hot” by a shopper in one of the chain’s nine ads. Goal
While shopping for a $0.79 turkey, the shopper in the commercial is shocked by Kris Kringle’s good looks. Goal

On social media, viewers admitted that they are “attracted” to this violent re-imagining of Santa, who applauds Target’s casting choices and begs to be ”on the fine list” this year.

“Where do they make pictures with THIS Santa? I want some,” one viewer swooned Instagram.

“Whoever is in charge of our marketing deserves a raise,” wrote another amid a flurry of flame emojis in the comments.

“No wonder that kid caught mom kissing Santa,” gushed one fan Bailey’s post promoting the videos.

“Santa darling… rush down the chimney tonight,” beamed another.

“Not your mother’s Santa!” exclaimed one viewer. Goal

“Goals out here giving us what we didn’t realize we needed this holiday,” said another, “and I’m not mad one bit.”

“Sexy Target Elf … Not Your Mother’s Santa!” another commented.

speaks to AdweekLisa Roath, Target’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, described the new-and-improved Saint Nick as “happy, helpful, optimistic — qualities that embody the brand.”

“He’s got that witty edge and he’s hauntingly handsome,” she said. “He represents our incredible team members who are the heroes of the holidays and beyond.”