Creative social media campaigns can capture attention, inspire action, and even go viral. Below are nine important campaigns that won over audiences and made an impression.
Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches
Dove ran a campaign with a forensic artist who drew women according to how they described themselves, and then how strangers described them. The image made a sharp comparison and showed how women downplay their beauty. This huge campaign created thousands of conversations about self-esteem and body image.
Lottoland’s Aaj Ka Sitara Campaign
Lottoland Aaj Ka Sitara campaign showcases the stories of courageous people who have gone out of their way to help others in trying times, especially COVID-19 times. With support from NDTV, this campaign celebrates stories of everyday heroes across India. Every week, stories about these people are posted on social media to celebrate them and encourage people to join the community under the hashtag lottolandaajkasitara. In addition to uplifting spirits, this initiative offers financial rewards to the featured individuals — and reinforces the value of recognizing local heroes.
LikeAGirl by Always
Always’ LikeAGirl campaign sought to change the idea of doing something “like a girl.” The commercials highlighted the confidence of young girls. They contradicted stereotypes, and the campaign struck a chord with many people, resulting in higher brand loyalty and raising awareness of gender equality.
Nike’s Dream Crazy
Colin Kaepernick starred in Nike’s Dream Crazy campaign, which celebrated athletes who had overcome the odds to make their dreams come true. A compelling narrative of resilience and social justice resonated with viewers. It ignited conversations about activism in sports, inspiring spikes in online views and debate.
Ice Bucket Challenge
Back in 2014, an international viral fad called the Ice Bucket Challenge encouraged people to dump a bucket of ice water over their heads to raise awareness of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Millions took part in the challenge, which raised more than $220 million for research and awareness.
ShareACoke by Coca-Cola
Through its ShareACoke campaign, Coca-Cola took one of the most recognizable icons in the world, its products’ bottles, and printed a handful of popular names on those bottles, prompting consumers to find bottles with their names or the names of friends on the label. Sales grew, and engagement on social media soared as people shared images of their personalized bottles.
OptOutside by REI
In 2015, REI told people to skip Black Friday shopping and go outside. The OptOutside campaign struck a chord with those who appreciated the nature focus instead of consumer-driven materialism. The project attracted considerable media coverage and activity on social media.
Taco Bell’s “Taco Emoji Engine”
In the campaign presented by Taco Bell, social media users could tweet emojis that generated unique taco-themed images. This fun and engaging method kept deluded consumers entertained while increasing Taco Bell’s clout on social media.
Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”
Old Spice reinvigorated itself and its brand by running a campaign featuring a strapping pitchman delivering deadpan monologues to the camera. This viral, quirky content helped boost sales and the brand!
With these campaigns, we can see that creativity paired with a powerful message can go a long way in going viral on social media platforms.
