Case Study Analysis: Volkswagen “The Force” Campaign
Volkswagen’s 2011 Super Bowl commercial “The Force” became one of the most iconic automotive ads of all time, blending nostalgia, humor, and heart to deliver a powerful brand message. The ad features a pint-sized Darth Vader attempting to wield the Force around his home, only to be astonished when he seemingly starts his dad’s Volkswagen […]
Case Study Analysis: Apple’s “Welcome Home” Campaign
Apple’s 2018 “Welcome Home” campaign – a four-minute spot for the new HomePod speaker – represents a landmark in the brand’s advertising. Instead of a typical product demo, Apple enlisted Oscar-winning director Spike Jonze to create a surreal, cinematic story. The ad stars a tired city worker who says “Hey Siri, play me something I’d […]
Case Study Analysis: Coca-Cola’s “Open Happiness” Campaign
Coca-Cola’s Open Happiness was a bold global brand campaign launched in January 2009. It built on the earlier “Coke Side of Life” platform and invited people worldwide to “pause and refresh themselves with a Coke, to ‘open happiness’ and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.”. The tagline Enjoy life’s simple pleasures became the campaign slogan. Designed by […]
Case Study Analysis: Pepsi’s “The Choice of a New Generation”
In the early 1980s, Pepsi was locked in a fierce “cola war” with Coca-Cola, striving to capture the youth market and shake its image as the perennial runner-up. Pepsi had a history of targeting younger consumers – most famously with its 1960s “Pepsi Generation” campaign that aligned the brand with the youthful, upbeat lifestyle of […]
Case Study Analysis: McDonalds “I’m Loving It” Campaign
Campaign Background and Objectives In the early 2000s, McDonald’s – the world’s largest fast-food chain – was facing serious challenges that threatened its dominance. By late 2002, the company’s performance had faltered: it posted its first-ever quarterly loss amid slumping sales, a declining share price, and growing consumer discontent. McDonald’s was being criticized for slow […]
Case Study Analysis: Always “Like A Girl” Campaign
Always is Procter & Gamble’s flagship feminine hygiene brand. Since the 1980s it has focused on puberty education and empowering girls – reaching over 17 million girls in 65+ countries through programs on confidence and menstruation. However, by 2013 Always’s purpose (supporting girls at puberty) was not evident to Millennials, and its communications had become […]
Case Study: Guinness’ ‘Good Things Come to Those Who Wait’ Campaign
By the 1990s, Guinness was a well-known global stout brand, but it faced new challenges: stout was seen as heavy and time-consuming to pour, especially compared to quick-pouring lagers. In fact, market research had found many consumers viewed the famous 119.5-second pour as a drawback. Andy Fennell (Guinness marketing director, 1997–2001) later recalled that the […]
Case Study: Google’s “Year in Search” Annual Campaign
Google’s “Year in Search” is an annual reflection of the top global search trends, capturing key events, cultural movements, and collective societal emotions. It started in 2010 as Google’s “Zeitgeist” report and evolved into a highly anticipated year-end campaign showcasing the world’s most popular search queries. The campaign centers around an emotive short video, produced […]
Case Study: Metro Trains’ “Dumb Ways to Die” Campaign
In late 2011, Metro Trains Melbourne faced a growing crisis: an alarming rise in “unsafe behaviour” incidents at train stations—running across platforms, hopping boom gates, standing too close to tracks—particularly among young people disengaged by traditional fear-based public service announcements. The challenge was clear yet daunting: how do you reach a generation that simply “tunes out” […]
Case Study: Chipotle’s “Cultivate a Better World” Campaign
Chipotle’s brand purpose has long centered on sustainable, high-quality food – a mission summarized by its mantra “Food With Integrity” and the stated goal “to cultivate a better world.” This purpose-driven vision underpinned the global Cultivate a Better World marketing campaign, launched in 2011 and evolving through films, games, events and promotions worldwide. The campaign […]
Case Study: IKEA’s “The Wonderful Everyday” Campaign
IKEA’s “The Wonderful Everyday” has been a flagship global brand campaign, built around celebrating small moments at home. Rooted in IKEA’s vision “to create a better everyday life for the many people,” it shifted focus away from one-off sales pushes and highlights how everyday experiences – cooking, sleeping, playing – are made more joyful and […]
A Case Study on Spotify Wrapped: The Storytelling Phenomenon
Every December, millions of Spotify users eagerly await Spotify Wrapped, the streaming service’s annual personalized recap of their year in music. Wrapped takes users’ listening data – favorite tracks, top artists, genres, total minutes streamed, and more – and transforms it into vivid, shareable cards and playlists. Launched in 2015 (initially called “Year in Music”), […]
A Case Study on Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” Campaign
Patagonia’s 2011 “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign represents one of the most counterintuitive and successful marketing strategies in modern business history. This paradoxical approach to advertising, which explicitly discouraged consumption on the biggest shopping day of the year, not only reinforced the company’s environmental values but also generated substantial business growth, with sales increasing by […]
A Case Study on De Beers’ “A Diamond is Forever” Campaign
Some advertising campaigns sell products. A few create desire. But once in a generation, one rewrites culture itself. De Beers’ legendary slogan, “A Diamond is Forever,” didn’t just spark sales—it crafted a mythology. It turned a once-optional gemstone into a global rite of passage, embedding diamonds into the fabric of love, marriage, and social aspiration. […]
Case Study: Heinz’s “Smiles” Campaign (2024)
Heinz, a brand known for its strong identity and timeless connection with its consumers, recently launched the “Smiles” campaign, marking a bold and playful approach to celebrate its fans’ irrational love for ketchup. Released just in time for Halloween, the ad campaign was a creative partnership between Gut New York and Heinz’s in-house agency The […]
A Case Study on Toyota’s “Start Your Impossible” Campaign
In the fast-paced world of automotive marketing, it’s rare to find a campaign that truly shifts gears and accelerates beyond the competition. But in 2018, Toyota did just that with its groundbreaking “Start Your Impossible” campaign. This case study will take you on a journey through one of the most innovative and inspiring marketing initiatives […]
A Case Study on Lego’s “Rebuild the World” Campaign
Imagine a world where creativity knows no bounds, and even the most ordinary objects can be transformed into extraordinary creations. That’s exactly what Lego set out to do with its revolutionary “Rebuild the World” campaign launched in 2019. But here’s the kicker – this wasn’t just another marketing ploy. It was a bold statement that […]
A Case Study on Taco Bell’s “Think Outside the Bun” Campaign
Picture this: It’s the early 2000s, and Taco Bell is about to shake up the fast-food industry with three simple words – “Think Outside the Bun.” Who knew a catchy slogan could revolutionize not just a brand, but an entire market? Buckle up, marketing enthusiasts, because we’re about to take a wild ride through one […]
A Case Study on Mastercard’s “Priceless” Campaign
Imagine a marketing campaign so powerful, it’s been running for over 25 years and is recognized in over 100 countries! That’s the incredible success story of MasterCard’s “Priceless” campaign. Launched in 1997, this campaign has become a cultural phenomenon, evolving from a simple TV ad to a global brand platform. Did you know that the […]
A Case Study on FedEx’s “Fast Talker” Campaign
In the fast-paced world of logistics and shipping, one campaign stands out as a true game-changer. FedEx’s “Fast Talker” initiative not only revolutionized the company’s brand image but also set a new standard for creative advertising in the industry. This comprehensive case study delves deep into the strategy, execution, and lasting impact of this iconic […]