30/11/2020
Despite the constant evolution of marketing and advertising trends, certain campaigns manage to maintain their luster. In fact, ordinary products like milk and soap have left a lasting imprint on our culture as a whole â and itâs all thanks to the viral messaging that carried them. To guide and inspire your branding efforts, hereâs what you can learn from 9 of the best marketing campaigns in history that have withstood the test of time.
Got Milk, 1993
Got Milk is easily one of the most successful slogans of the modern era. But what made this seemingly simple tagline so irresistible?
One of its strengths is that it added an element of intrigue and interest to something inherently basic. In fact, people had been drinking milk for centuries when the campaign first ran. Yet, the campaign posed a question that made people literally stop and consider: did they have milk in the fridge? If not â theyâd better go get some.
Another way the Got Milk campaign succeeded at making milk cool was by teaming up with the most popular celebrities of the era â teens like Britney Spears, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Buffy the vampire slayer all posed with milk moustaches during the campaignâs peak.
What Got Milk teaches us
These ads were showing people that famous people drink milk, but they also featured copy that tied into the personâs music, tv show or other form of fame in a way that felt approachable. The questioning nature of the messaging also made the campaign actionable, and it shows that marketers can drive demand for any product, no matter how basic.
Metro Trains Dumb Ways to Die, 2014
Itâs rare that a safety video goes viral, but when one does â you know itâs good. Metro Trainsâ Dumb Ways to Die is successful on many fronts, but at the core of its achievements is its ability to make grave topics both funny and memorable. No one likes to talk about dying, and imaging a train striking you quickly conjures images of gore, pain and suffering. Metro Trains turned to cartoons to make this topic approachable and neutral. And while the characters in the film donât look like humans, they exhibit emotions and decisions that help people, and children in particular, relate to them. It also shows the importance of roping the reader in â in this case with catchy music and a great storyline â capturing audiences before a call to action presents itself.
What Metro Trains teaches us
For marketers trying to sell a lesson or idea that doesnât feel traditionally interesting, Dumb Ways to Die is the ideal inspiration. It shows how humor and lightheartedness can be influential, even when the topic is serious.
Dove âReal Beautyâ Campaign, 2004
In a world where airbrushing and photoshop are all too common, Doveâs Real Beauty Campaign was a breath of fresh air. (Later iterations of this campaign received backlash, but weâll focus on the primary years). This campaign is notable because, like milk, it was once associated with a basic, everyday product: soap.
Rather than changing their product, however, Dove changed the industry conversion that was happening around it. Perhaps the most successful aspect of this campaign included imagery featuring real women â not models â with varying skin tones and body types.
What Dove teaches us
Some people struggled to see the truth in Doveâs message, especially since the company is associated with products like menâs cologne and skin firming cream. Fortunately, this was something the team at Dove anticipated. To show that it was serious about its message, Dove created a fund for young boys and girls, which supported insightful discussions about women and beauty. The greatest lesson here is that, when possible, your marketing messages should be supported by real-world action.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, 2014
If you were on the internet in the year 2014, you remember the ALS ice bucket challenge. Having seemingly risen from thin air, this challenge quickly became one of the most viral campaigns of all time. The ALS ice bucket challenge succeeded on two fronts: raising awareness of a devastating disease and soliciting donations.
On a fundamental level, the ice bucket challenge worked because it was simple. There was no question about what needed to be done or how you could participate. The other important factor at play was a clear, concise goal. Participating in the challenge helped raise money for a good cause, and it helped people make a feel-good, selfless act.
What the Ice Bucket Challenge teaches us
Another strategic aspect of the campaign was its sense of urgency. Urgency often works in marketing when it plays up ideas of scarcity, like products that are limited edition, for example. In this case, a 24 hour timeframe influenced nominated people to act fast. If they didnât, theyâd miss out on doing a good cause and fitting in with what their friends were doing. Marketers seeking to learn from this challenge should consider the power of scarcity and brevity.
P&G Thank You Mom, 2012
First launched as a celebration of the 100-day countdown to the London Olympics, P&Gâs âThank You Momâ ad continues to drive brand awareness. The idea behind the ad was to show that behind every olympian, there is a proud and supportive mom. Although this campaign tied into an olympic theme, itâs overarching message rang true with moms everywhere. It succeeded at drawing attention to its particular target market, moms, by giving them a huge and public thank you for all that they do.
This transcended the boundaries of ordinary marketing by forgoing sales copy and product pitches all together. This was a bold move, but it was matched with imagery that was emotionally riveting. It also had the uncanny effect of appealing to nearly everyone. Aside from the moms whose heartstrings it pulled, the Thank You Mom campaign related to each member of its audience with a mom (i.e. everyone).
What P&G teaches us
Marketing that talks about human experiences can easily backfire, especially when it doesnât feel authentic. However, this campaign shows how it can be done in a tasteful way that elicits emotional brand connections.
Legacyâs Truth Campaign, 1999
The Truth Initiative has its sights set on a lofty goal: to end youth to***co use once and for all. In the digital age, where movies, television and social media showcase role models smoking â this has become particularly difficult. Thatâs why the Truth Campaign always focused directly on telling true stories about smoking.
Although the campaign has adapted over the years to cater to different teen generations, Legacy has always focused on the same conflict. By pitting consumers against the bad guys (big to***co companies) Legacy removes itself from the equation. It serves only as a vehicle to educate and do whatâs right â leaving the ultimate choice up to the consumer.
What Legacy teaches us
This strategy is a successful example of how real-word facts, statistics and comparisons can be used in marketing to support a stronger message. The campaign regularly positions innocent parties against big to***co to show why its messages are deceitful. This shows that when using powerful messaging, you shouldnât also tell the consumer what to do. Rather, leave them with the information they need to reconsider their daily actions.
Red Bull Stratos, 2012
Branded stunts are both bold and risky, but Red Bullâs Stratos stunt fueled consumer adrenaline in more ways than one. This stunt featured a 24-mile free fall from the edge of space. At the time, this was one of the most watched live stream of all time.
Aside from its shock factor, why did this campaign work? One reason is because it blurred the line between sports and branding. Stratos streamed on nearly 80 TV stations across 50 centuries, garnering anticipation and viewership similar to the likes of the super bowl or an olympic event. Tapping into this new market â people who love watching sports and keeping up with current events â earned Red Bull a new place on the world stage. Moreover, the jump itself simply pushed the boundaries of what people are capable of.
What Red Bull teaches us
For brands that want to tap into this kind of success, itâs worth considering Red Bullâs social media strategy. For starters, a number of hashtags were released throughout the day to draw attention to the upcoming event. It also capitalized on live streaming, which made the event accessible to everyone while garnering 2.6 million social media mentions from start to finish.
Aerie REAL, 2014
Similarly to Doveâs Real Beauty campaign, aerie REAL seeks to challenge standard perceptions of beauty. However, aerieâs campaign differs because it directly targets the millennial market. This is a generation thatâs swimming in a world fueled by gorgeous, globetrotting influencers and Kardashian-era beauty standards, so a shift towards honest, natural beauty is greatly welcomed.
The aerie REAL campaign also benefited the company in a literal sense â it provides a more realistic depiction of what its clothing and lingerie might look like on a consumer. This makes its entire collection more approachable, because women donât feel intimidated like they might by photoshopped models.. Rather, the women wearing the clothes feel more like a friend or sister, which helps buyers visualize themselves owning the product.
What Aerie teaches us
The biggest lesson brands can learn from this campaign is that understanding your customers pays off. Aerie knew that its target market, women in high school and college, is greatly influenced by the mediaâs interpretation of beauty. Challenging these standards in a way that boosts confidence and acceptance helped make the brand an ally to women and girls everywhere.
The Absolut Bottle
Want to know how a campaign can last for 25 years? Look no further than the Absolut bottle campaign. Amidst the saturated spirits market, this campaign helped elevate the Absolut brand to its own unique position.
The most innovative aspect of the campaign is its ability to meld vodka with art. Over 2,000 iterations of the Absolut bottle have appeared throughout the campaignâs history. These iterations have been imagined by artists, fashion designers, and the like. The production team went to great lengths to create each ad. They even created intricate mini versions of cities like Louisville and Atlanta to get the right shot.
What Absolut teaches us
The Absolut campaign defied the in-your-face marketing that so many advertisers were at the time relying on. Instead, it introduced a new fluid form of brand association. It asked viewers to look closer; left room for interpretation. It teaches brands to remember the importance of production
Final Thoughts
From nonprofit organizations to lingerie brands, this list shows that viral marketing is possible in any industry. Through strong customer understanding and aptly-timed campaigns, you too can emulate these successes.
