Technology has advanced the world at breakneck speed and thus, has creating a pressing need for intellectual development. Ad campaigns now run on social media and the space is crowded with a very large number of companies. Therefore, unless the Ad campaign is brainy enough, it isn’t going to attract attention. While social media poses challenges, it also presents opportunities in getting the word out at a lightning pace.Enter, viral marketing.
It has to be kept in mind that the audience has a limited span of attention and hence, it is necessary to understand a viral video in its elements. If you wish to connect with your audience, your video should have all the right elements without losing the essence of your brand. Here are a few examples that will help you understand the game better –
Best viral marketing campaigns that made waves globally
- Dos Equis ‘Most Interesting Man’
Dos Equis had a catchphrase that went “I don’t always drink beer but when I do I prefer Dos Equis.” However, the catchphrase had gone old and no one remembered it any longer. In order to revive the brand, a campaign titled ‘Most Interesting Man’ was launched. The campaign featured a Man with a beard like that of Hemmingway who was a globetrotter. The globetrotter belonged to an era that meant a lot for the beer. The era was golden, both in the color and in the feels. This viral ad campaign lead to a 22% increment in the sales of Dos Equis.
- Evian’s Babies
This one went so viral that it found a place in Guinness Book of World Records. A follow-up video was also released earlier on which was relating to the theme of the preceding video. The new video has around 13 million views by now. As viral as the video went, it didn’t work well for the sales of the brand, which is what counts for a marketing campaign.
The sales not only dropped by 25%, the brand also lost a significant share in the market as the video gathered over 50 million views. The loss of shares continued and as of now, Evian’s is no longer mentioned in the balance sheets of the company or when pitching investors.
- Poo-Pourri Toilet Humour
In order to have amazing marketing campaigns, you need to stand out and stand out enough to long last. While it is difficult and boring to advertise bathroom products, it is also quite embarrassing. More often than not, one simply finds a woman standing in a bright, clean and white bathroom talking about the best cleaner or the best air freshener etc.
Poo-Pouri is a brand for eliminating toilet stink through fragrant sprays and it did not go the conventional view. Interestingly, its video was titled Girls don’t Poo.
- Dove – Real Beauty Sketches
This video features a sketch artist working for the FBI. He draws women describing themselves and the very same women being described by strangers. However, the stranger was often leaning towards their praiseworthy attractiveness while the women were overtly critical. Dove simply wanted women to appreciate how truly beautiful they are. The video went massively viral thanks to the emotions it curdled among its viewers.
- Dumb Ways to Die
This campaign was the brainchild of Metro Trains, Australia. It is still referenced to and looked upon as a legend among Australian Ad firms. The video features cartoon characters dying in rather dumb ways – in situations that were entirely avoidable. The campaign was metaphoric of how dumb it would be to die because of contact with trains, when safety comes by following simple rules.
- Dollar Shave Club
The brand has heavily depended on social media to make itself a success in the market. It is all set to launch on the television. It has the director of Dos Equis doing its videos. The man managed to repeat his success, and brought in favorable results. As of now, it has 1.1 million subscribers on YouTube and has made $ 7.2 million in sales. It holds a total of 10% share in the American market of its kinds of products.
- Old Spice “Your Man Could Smell Like”
Old Spice’s campaign ‘Smell Like a Man’ went viral for obvious reasons and at the same time had a thumping sales record. The record is forever setting a new bar. If reports are to be believed, the campaign pushed sales up by as much as 55%.
In the day and age of social media, viral marketing campaigns can have a big effect. Get creative, and create campaigns your audience loves.