Outline
Brand Activation Ideas
Brand activations are essential in creating buzz around a brand and creating a memorable experience for the customers. When done right, brand activations can lead to viral moments that generate buzz and free publicity for the brand. In this blog, we bring you cool brand activation ideas and strategies that went viral, highlighting the different tactics used by brands to create memorable experiences for their customers.
1. Airbnb: Van Gogh Museum Bedroom
Courtesy: Art Institute of Chicago
Experiential marketing is a strategy that focuses on creating an emotional connection between the brand and the customer through a memorable experience.
A great example of experiential marketing is the Airbnb Van Gogh Museum Bedroom. Airbnb recreated Van Gogh’s famous bedroom and allowed people to stay in the room for one night. This creative activation allowed people to step into the world of Van Gogh and experience his art in a new and unique way. This strategy helped increase brand awareness and customer engagement for Airbnb.
2. OPPO: #Selfieserve Activation
Courtesy OPPO
Technology has revolutionised the way brands create activations, offering endless possibilities for engaging and immersive experiences.
Incorporating the latest tech trends and tools can help brands create a memorable and viral brand activation that will leave a lasting impression on their target audience.
OPPO, the innovative mobile phone brand took their brand activation to the next level with their personalised selfie station on wheels. But this wasn’t just any ordinary printing station! OPPO offered a truly unique and personalised experience by allowing users to upload a selfie and receive a free ice cream with their very own face on it!
This creative concept was a hit with consumers, and it’s easy to see why. Who wouldn’t want to see their face on a delicious frozen treat? By using cutting-edge personalized printing technology, OPPO was able to create a one-of-a-kind experience that truly resonated with their audience.
The personalised ice cream not only gave users a sweet treat to enjoy, but it also served as a fun and interactive way for OPPO to connect with their audience.
The result?
An immediate boost in social sharing that increased brand awareness and engagement.
3. Coco & Eve: Sunny Honey Beach Activation
Courtesy Kombi & Co.
Coco & Eve’s Sunny Honey Beach event is another example of a brand activation idea that was hugely successful. It featured an immersive beach pop-up event that allowed customers to experience the Bondi Beach summer vibes.
The pop-up activation featured a live DJ, free coconuts and plenty of photo opportunities, which helped increase brand awareness and social engagement for Coco & Eve.
4. BOSE: AUDIO FRAME POP UP SHOP
Courtesy: Kombi & Co.
Seamlessly merging the elements of sun, beach, and sounds, this brand activation effortlessly met all the criteria for success.
Introducing the all-new ‘Bose Frames,’ this innovative pop up activation found its perfect match in a Kombi Promotional Van, creating an ideal synergy for a tactful collaboration with the annual ‘Sculptures by the Sea’ event at Tamarama beach.
Transforming the promotional vehicle into a mobile billboard and a captivating pop-up brand experience area, beachgoers were invited to immerse themselves in the Bose Frames. The ingenious approach allowed individuals to not only try on these revolutionary sunglasses but also enjoy an audio tour of the stunning Sculptures by the Sea. It was a unique and engaging way to showcase the product’s innovative audio capabilities.
5. SK-II: Beauty is no #Nocompetition
Courtesy SK-II.
SK-II’s “Beauty is #NoCompetition campaign was in collaboration with Olympic athletes Simone Biles and Liu Xiang which aimed to break down beauty stereotypes and promote diversity by showcasing the athletes’ personal stories and challenges in a series of short films. The campaign quickly went viral, with many people sharing the films on social media and praising SK-II for their commitment to diversity and empowerment. The campaign not only increased brand awareness and customer engagement for SK-II, but it also helped to promote a positive message and inspire people around the world.
Customer engagement is more than just getting people to buy your products or services. It’s about creating a connection with your customers, building a relationship, and fostering loyalty. It’s about making your customers feel valued, heard, and understood. Think of it like a conversation – a two-way exchange of ideas, feedback, and experiences. When you engage with your customers, you’re showing them that you care about their needs and interests, and that you’re committed to providing them with the best possible experience. It’s a powerful way to build brand awareness, loyalty, and trust, and it can help you stand out in a crowded market.
6. Berocca: Live Art + Music
Courtesy Kombi & Co.
In the world of brand activation, brand ambassadors are like superheroes . Think of them as the face of the brand, the people who embodies its values, mission, and personality. They have the power to create a buzz, build excitement, and attract new customers.
Berocca, the beloved energy drink, pulled out all the stops for their campaign by bringing together two of the hottest names in Live Art and Music. With the help of brand ambassadors Mulga and DJ Tigerlily, Berocca created an unforgettable experience right in the heart of Sydney CBD. How did they do it? By converting a mobile promotional van into a live art installation and DJ Booth!
Mulga, the renowned artist, took to the canvas to create a stunning masterpiece, while DJ Tigerlily kept the energy levels soaring with her epic beats. The result was a one-of-a-kind activation that left everyone in awe.
This is just one example of how Berocca is taking marketing to the next level by incorporating Live Art and Music into their brand activations.
7. The ICONIC x Ole Henriksen - Influencer Activation
Courtesy: Kombi & Co.
Take inspiration from The ICONIC and Ole Henriksen’s collaboration. Their joint experiential marketing campaign highlighted how influencer marketing can be cleverly used to promote a new offering and grow their customer reach.
The brand activation goal was clear and compelling: The ICONIC promoted Ole Henriksen products with the promise of swift delivery.
To highlight this, they deployed custom branded scooters to deliver products directly to their brand ambassadors, who then shared their experiences on social media.
This cool brand activation created a social media buzz, generating authentic engagement and maximising their customer reach.
8. L'Occitane - Almond Oil Road Trip
Courtesy Kombi & Co.
L’Occitane’s brand activation concept was simple – reach as many skincare enthusiasts and pamper them with gifts and good times on their exciting marketing tour.
This pop up activation visited some of Sydney’s most iconic locations such as Bondi Beach and Pitt St Mall, where guests had the opportunity to indulge in the brand’s Almond oil firsthand. The activation also featured a fun toss game, which was made from a giant L’Occitane bottle as their target. Winners were treated with free samples, full sized products as well as tempting discount vouchers to use at the store.
L’Occitane’s pop up store was a retro cool Kombi van which showcased the brand’s products and providing guests to purchase their favourites on the spot.
Conclusion
Creating viral activations is no easy task in this crowded and competitive market. But by incorporating immersive experiences, creativity, technology, humor, brand ambassadors, social media, and problem-solving, you can create a unique and memorable experience that resonates with your audience.
The real magic lies in thinking outside the box and creating something that truly engages your customers. Whether it’s a creative activation or experiential marketing campaign, the key is to focus on creating a lasting emotional connection with your customers. This connection will make your brand more memorable in their minds, leading to more shares and a viral effect that multiplies your brand activation’s impact.
