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Walmart casts Walton Goggins as Scrooge in Muppets holiday ads. Walton Goggins stars as Scrooge in Walmart's Muppets campaign, turning a Christmas classic into a story about gifts, deals and delivery. The opening song from The Muppet Christmas Carol does not need a new punchline to make it recognizable. Kermit, Miss Piggy and the movie's other familiar characters already bring a particular kind of holiday chaos to a story about a man who has forgotten the point of Christmas. This year, Walmart has found a way to put that old story back on the screen, with Walton Goggins as the latest Ebenezer Scrooge. In Walmart's new holiday campaign, A Who Knew Carol, the retailer works with Disney and The Muppets Studio to reimagine the 1992 film through a modern shopping lens. The setting is Victorian London, but the things Scrooge is supposed to discover are gifts, seasonal savings and ways to get an order delivered quickly. Table of contents. Jump to each section: Why the Muppets still make Christmas feel familiar. The Muppets have a ready-made advantage as holiday storytellers. The Muppet Christmas Carol combines Charles Dickens' familiar redemption plot with the characters' particular mix of sincerity and irreverence. Someone can understand the joke of an impatient Scrooge being haunted without needing to know every character's name. That familiarity gives the new spots a shorthand. Goggins steps into Scrooge's place, while Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Rizzo, Pepe and Statler and Waldorf bring their recognizable personalities into the campaign. Stephanie Beatriz plays Scrooge's niece and also features in Spanish-language material. These are not generic holiday mascots standing beside a sale sign. They are characters with an existing fictional world and a story that can accommodate surprise visitors. The connection to Walmart's broader positioning is deliberate. William White, the retailer's chief marketing officer, compared Scrooge's change of heart with Walmart's attempt to change shoppers' expectations. He called the retailer's positioning "a reappraisal story for us as well." Scrooge has to rethink what matters, while the retailer hopes shoppers will reconsider what they can find at Walmart. That is the cultural bargain of a nostalgia-based ad. Recognizability gets a viewer into the scene quickly, but the creative still has to give them something new. A familiar song and a recognizable cast can establish the mood; the modern retail references are what make this version an advertisement rather than another retelling of the film. How Scrooge becomes a Walmart shopping guide. The campaign borrows the idea of three visiting spirits and assigns each a practical shopping lesson. One points to gift discovery and Walmart's broader product selection. Another introduces Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers. A third makes the case for Express Delivery, which Walmart says can be as fast as 30 minutes for eligible orders. This structure lets each retail message become part of the story instead of a separate promotional announcement. A shopper following Scrooge from one encounter to the next also encounters the retailer's assortment, prices and convenience proposition. The joke lands precisely because Victorian Scrooge has no reason to understand any of these modern terms. In the opening film, the team also revisits the musical number "Scrooge," a key part of the 1992 movie, using period-style sets. Rizzo even comments on the fact that Walmart did not exist during the story's era. That wink matters: the script acknowledges the mismatch instead of asking the audience to take a product pitch inside a Dickens adaptation literally. Goggins' casting gives the campaign a second layer of continuity. He played the Grinch in Walmart's previous holiday advertising, and now returns as another famously reluctant Christmas character. The two roles are distinct, but the recurring performer helps the seasonal work feel connected rather than entirely reset each year. Why the holiday story stretches across channels. A holiday commercial has to do more than play once. Walmart's campaign was developed with Publicis Groupe agencies Fallon, Leo New York, The Community, Digitas and Zenith, with material planned across television, streaming, online video, social platforms, out-of-home placements, audio and creator channels. The common story gives that distribution a recognizable starting point. A viewer might encounter the longer film on a streaming platform, a shorter reminder of the ghosts while watching a program, and a product-specific message elsewhere. The characters and Scrooge premise identify the campaign even when the available space or viewing time changes. There is room for individual stars without changing the core idea. Walmart has also signaled further Miss Piggy fashion-focused work, an extension that makes sense for a character already associated with dramatic style. But using multiple familiar faces does not itself prove people will watch, share or shop. Walmart has not reported campaign-specific sales or audience results for the new work. This approach has a contemporary retail counterpart. Target's 2026 holiday work puts D'Arcy Carden in a fictional Academy of Giftology, turning gift selection into an episodic comedy. Walmart uses an established film world; Target invents a school. Both approaches treat the holiday shopping dilemma as something a character can explain, rather than asking viewers to pay attention to a list of deals by itself. What marketers can learn from the Muppets. The most interesting part of the campaign is not simply that a big retailer bought access to recognizable characters. It is how a familiar entertainment story becomes a framework for several different shopping needs. * Start with a story people already understand. The redemption arc of A Christmas Carol gives the work a beginning, characters and reasons for Scrooge to encounter new information. Walmart can build on that plot instead of explaining the premise from scratch. * Give the commercial message a role in the plot. The spirits represent gifts, savings and delivery. Each proposition has a reason to appear, which makes the transitions easier to follow than an unrelated sequence of offers. * Let one idea travel without repeating the same scene everywhere. A long film, shorter spots and character-led extensions can stay recognizable while leaving room for specific products, channels and audiences. There are limits to the formula. An entertainment license can supply familiarity, but viewers still need to understand what the retailer is offering. A cameo that has no connection to the product may create a moment of recognition without helping anyone decide where to shop. For Walmart, the creative choice fits the larger Who Knew? premise: the brand wants people to look again at an everyday retailer and discover something they did not expect. Goggins' Scrooge is being asked to do much the same thing. That is what makes this adaptation more coherent than a standard celebrity appearance. Its nostalgia is not a separate layer spread over the advertising. The old Christmas story gives the new shopping message a sequence, a voice and a reason to exist. Apply this article to your work Tell ContentGrip who you are - ContentGrip'll turn this into specific next steps for you. The more specific, the sharper your insights. Vague: "grow my business" Good: "land 2 fintech PR retainers in SEA by Q3"

¡HOLA! Américas reveals 2026 Latina Powerhouse 100 Gala hosts and special honorees. Oct 27, 2026, 09:30 ET Andrea Meza, Dayanara Torres, and Boris Izaguirre will host the celebration this upcoming November 2 in Miami, with Rita Ferro and Lele Pons among the evening's special honorees. NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - ¡HOLA! Américas announced today that Andrea Meza, Dayanara Torres, and Boris Izaguirre will serve as the masters of ceremonies for the second annual Latina Powerhouse 100 Gala, taking place on November 2 at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. The gala will honor 100 Latina women whose leadership, talent, and contributions are making a lasting impact across the United States and Latin America. The evening will also feature a series of special honors recognizing individuals with remarkable careers and influence across diverse industries, including Rita Ferro, Global President of Advertising at The Walt Disney Company, who will receive the Legacy of Excellence Award, and Lele Pons, artist and digital star, who will be presented with the Entertainment Vanguard Award. For the first time, Andrea Meza, Dayanara Torres, and Boris Izaguirre will share the stage to host this celebration, bringing together three dynamic personalities and celebrated careers spanning Hispanic entertainment, television, culture, and journalism: Andrea Meza, multifaceted Mexican star, Miss Universe 2020, and prominent Telemundo host, is one of the leading voices in Hispanic entertainment. Celebrated for her charisma, elegance, and captivating screen presence, Andrea brings international prestige and a profound connection with the Latino audience to the 2026 Latina Powerhouse Gala. "Being a Latina Powerhouse means recognizing the power of our voice, taking pride in our roots, and never allowing others to define our limits. Receiving this recognition from ¡HOLA! is an immense honor and a testament to the strength, resilience, and determination that define us as Latinas. I am thrilled to be part of an evening dedicated to celebrating the talent, leadership, and extraordinary achievements of Latina women. It will be a wonderful opportunity to honor everything we have accomplished and all that we still have left to conquer together," stated Meza. Dayanara Torres, iconic Puerto Rican actress, television and radio host, Miss Universe 1993, and cancer survivor dedicated to melanoma awareness, has been named to the prestigious Latina Powerhouse 100 list on two separate occasions. This year, she steps into the role of host, completing this extraordinary master of ceremonies lineup. With her signature grace, magnetism, and deep connection to Hispanic culture, Dayanara will bring warmth, emotional depth, and poise to a ceremony dedicated to honoring the legacy, determination, and excellence of Latina women. "What an honor to be part of such a special celebration! It fills me with immense pride to be recognized in Latina Powerhouse for a third time and to witness how Latina women unite to celebrate our achievements, share our stories, and support one another. Sharing this night with Andrea, Boris, and so many inspiring women will be a wonderful experience. For me, being a Latina Powerhouse isn't about titles or accolades but about the strength we find within ourselves, the obstacles we overcome, and the example we set for future generations. I am proud to receive this recognition from ¡HOLA! alongside so many extraordinary women who inspire and continue opening doors for others," added Torres. Boris Izaguirre, acclaimed Spanish-Venezuelan author, television host, journalist, and cultural commentator, headlines the trio of masters of ceremonies for the 2026 gala. Renowned for his magnetic charisma and unmistakable style, Boris will bring to the stage a seamless blend of eloquence, dynamism, and festive warmth that characterizes this landmark evening for the Hispanic community. "I feel honored to join ¡HOLA! Américas at such a special milestone and celebrate a wonderful first 10 years. It is a true honor to share the stage with two authentic stars like Dayanara Torres and Andrea Meza to present this 2026 edition of Latina Powerhouse. I am deeply flattered to be part of this exceptional group of hosts, uniting our nations - Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Venezuela - around the second annual Latina Powerhouse Gala. Thank you, ¡HOLA! Américas, for this opportunity," expressed Izaguirre. "Latino talent has always been a powerful force shaping and elevating culture, inspiring audiences, and redefining what is possible both in and beyond entertainment. Boris, Andrea, and Dayanara are the very embodiment of that excellence. Together, as masters of ceremonies, they not only represent this rich Hispanic legacy, but their remarkable talents will also deliver an unforgettable evening celebrating the extraordinary women of the Latina Powerhouse 100 and the distinguished figures receiving special honors this year. The gala pays tribute to these leaders and trailblazers who continue paving the way and expanding possibilities for future generations," said Nagidmy Márquez Acosta, Chief Content Officer of ¡HOLA! Américas. The Latina Powerhouse 100 Gala, presented under this year's theme "The Hispanic Legacy: Inspiring America's Future," honors the 100 members of the Latina Powerhouse 100 list while paying tribute to exceptional career milestones and cultural contributions through the following special awards: * Rita Ferro, Legacy of Excellence Award: As Global President of Advertising at The Walt Disney Company, Ferro is one of the most influential Latina executives in global media, recognized for her visionary leadership, innovation, and industry-defining impact. * Lele Pons, Entertainment Vanguard Award: Lele Pons represents a new generation of entertainment icons who have transformed how content is created, shared, and experienced - breaking traditional barriers, expanding Latino representation, and inspiring future generations. * Silvia Tcherassi, Fashion Legacy Award: The acclaimed Colombian designer is a pioneer in bringing Latin American sophistication, artistry, and vision to the international fashion runway. * Celia Sredni de Birbragher, Cultural Vanguard Award: Through her lifelong dedication to documenting, championing, and expanding the global visibility of Latin American art, this cultural leader has helped preserve artistic heritage and connect creators with audiences across generations and borders. * Jean Shafiroff, Latina de Corazón Award: This special honor recognizes an individual who, without being of Hispanic heritage, has demonstrated an unwavering, sustained commitment to supporting, celebrating, and empowering Latina women, culture, and communities. * Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Hispanic Arts & Culture Legacy Honor: Presented as part of the Hispanic Institutional Honor, this distinction celebrates the institution's steadfast championing of Hispanic artists and the arts, as well as its vital role in cementing Miami as a thriving cultural epicenter. Led by Andrea, Dayanara, and Boris as masters of ceremonies, the evening will feature a vibrant musical celebration of Hispanic heritage with live performances by the Latina Powerhouse Big Band alongside Natalia Jiménez, Camila Fernández, María José, Leslie Grace, and Ela Taubert, among other guest artists. For this milestone celebration, ¡HOLA! has teamed up with renowned Spanish fashion house Custo Barcelona to design an exclusive, limited-edition t-shirt to be presented to both the Latina Powerhouse honorees and special guests. "I have always believed that fashion should convey far more than just an image: it must tell a story and evoke emotion. This collaboration with ¡HOLA! embodies that exact philosophy. We channeled Custo Barcelona's signature energy, color, and creativity into a concept conceived to celebrate the 100 Latina honorees of ¡HOLA! Latina Powerhouse 100," said Custo Dalmau, founder of Custo Barcelona. "It brings me immense joy to see our creative universe contribute to an initiative that champions diversity, authenticity, and the power of women to inspire future generations." The creative direction, design, management, and production of the Latina Powerhouse 100 Gala is led by Red Velvet Productions. To explore the complete list of 2026 Latina Powerhouse 100 honorees, visit HOLA.com/us/LatinaPowerhouse. ABOUT ¡HOLA! AMERICAS ¡HOLA! Americas is the leading entertainment and lifestyle platform for Hispanic audiences in the United States and Latin America. Through its editorial coverage, ¡HOLA! brings readers closer to the people and stories shaping entertainment, culture, fashion, and contemporary life. ¡HOLA! USA launched in New York in 2016 with a bilingual digital edition in English and Spanish. As the brand grew beyond the U.S., ¡HOLA! USA became ¡HOLA! Americas, reflecting its growing presence throughout the region. In October 2024, ¡HOLA! celebrated its 80th anniversary by lighting the Empire State Building in its iconic red, marking eight decades since its founding in 1944. ¡HOLA! Americas is part of ¡HOLA! & HELLO! Media Group, an international media group present in 18 countries, with 15 print editions and 14 websites in eight languages. The group also operates a television channel serving Hispanic audiences in the United States and Latin America. SOURCE HELLO & HOLA Media, Inc.