Valentine’s Day is upon us and with it, tons of increased consumer spending. Despite what traditional advertising would have you believe, you don’t have to be a flower shop, candy store or jeweler to get creative with marketing around this holiday. Here are some of our favorite “outside-the-box” Valentine’s Day themed advertising campaigns from recent years.
Domino’s: Pizza-Shaped Engagement Ring
Last Valentine’s Day, Domino’s announced they’d be giving away a free pizza engagement ring in the UK. The ring was decked out in 22-carat gold and pepperoni shaped diamonds. To announce this “dough-mantic” contest, Domino’s took to social media. They created a Facebook ad campaign where interested consumers could comment for a chance to win. The winner was selected at random on Valentine’s Day!
Tiffany & Co.: The Tiffany Tattoo Shop
Tiffany & Co. created a consumer-facing mini-site called, “The Tiffany Tattoo Shop.” On this website, users can select and customize a “tattoo” that can be used as a sticker on an Instagram post. The company then asked users to share the post using the hashtag, #BelieveInLove. The result? Unique, interactive experiences for consumers and a ton of user-generated content.
MeUndies: #matchmeundies
Speaking of user-generated content, MeUndies launched a #matchmeundies Instagram campaign last Valentine’s Day. The company asked couples to share photos of themselves wearing their matching underwear sets with the branded hashtag #matchmeundies. Many people got creative and the results were hilarious!
Google: Parisian Love
During the 2010 Super Bowl (and right around Valentine’s Day), Google tugged at our heartstrings with its “Parisian Love” television ad. Google was able to tell an entire love story showing nothing more than a Google search bar. This is an example of how simple storytelling can make a huge emotional impact and resonate with your customers.
The bottom line? Analyze your product offering from all angles. How might a love-themed message work for your company? Is there a fun contest you could promote around this time of year? What are some ways to involve your target audience through a user-generated content campaign? The possibilities are endless— we can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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