Last updated on September 21st, 2023
At some point or the other, every brand needs to find creative ways to reach its audience, and what better way to do that than through a marketing campaign? To get more efficient with your campaigns, learn from these digital marketing examples.
Marketing campaigns have evolved over the years, especially in the age of the internet and social media; just posting ads or sending out emails doesn’t cut it anymore.
Plus, the global market for digital advertising and marketing is expected to reach $786 billion by 2026, so you know the competition (among brands and for audience attention) is tough.
You need to pull out all the stops and strategically leverage the best tools at your disposal to get to where the best are and make an impact with what you have to say.
Let’s look at some digital marketing examples and explore how these brands knocked it out of the park.
5 Terrific Digital Marketing Examples to Inspire Your Next
Your digital marketing campaign needs to be dynamic to captivate customers, generate brand awareness, and create a lasting impression. Rifling for inspiration? Here are our top digital marketing examples campaigns and brands that did all that and more:
1. Spotify Wrapped
We obviously had to start with one of the best digital marketing examples of recent times.
Incepted in 2016, Spotify analyzes data at the end of the year to determine who played which songs and what artists, genres, and podcasts were most popular with its users.
It then displays this data through aesthetically pleasing Spotify Wrapped sharecards, which you’ll find reposted all over Instagram, Twitter, and other social platforms. Over the years, new elements have been added to Wrapped, such as ‘audio auras,’ ‘lesser-known genres,’ ‘listening personalities,’ etc.
What Spotify Wrapped Does Well
- Spotify uses the data it already has for generating FOMO, or the fear of missing out. Since Wrapped is all about one’s personal listening preferences, music choices, and year in review, users are bound to compare (and even feel competitive about) who listened to the most tracks, had the best music taste, etc. Spotify is essentially harnessing this to increase the time users spend on the platform.
- The number of users accessing Wrapped has increased 4x over the years, thanks to the immersive, detailed stats, paired with visually appealing graphics, which can be reposted anywhere instantly through the ‘Share this Story’ CTA. Let’s not forget the memes—a true reflection of the virality of the campaign across the internet.
- Everyone knows Spotify Wrapped will be out in December. Annual campaigns, especially year-end ones like these, stir users’ expectations, creating a sense of ritual and generating tons of hype around the theme. Although the format stays the same, the excitement around Wrapped only grows year by year. Plus, Spotify jacks up campaign excitement by adding more features/content yearly and increasing options to share them, like ‘Wrapped Blend,’ which lets users compare their data.
- Spotify took note of TikTok’s growing popularity and incorporated phrases used by and on the Gen-Z-preferred platform into its share cards. Notable examples include “You always understood the assignment,” “In a year like 2021, even your music gets a vibe check,” “You deserve a playlist as long as your skincare routine,” etc.
An analysis of the Spotify Wrapped 2022 edition through Sprout’s social listening tool found the below stats:
- 15% increase in total volume
- 17% increase in total engagements
- 17% increase in potential impressions
- 22% increase in unique authors
- 425,000,000 Tweets about Wrapped in the first three days after launch
Need we say more?
2. Duolingo’s TikTok Campaign with Duo the Owl
Duolingo, the language learning app, became massively popular online after TikToks featuring their mascot Duo the owl started going viral in September 2021. The TikTok campaign is an extension of meme trends poking fun at the antics of ‘unhinged,’ passive-aggressive Duo going about its day and creating chaos. One of the top digital marketing examples to learn from.
Why Duo the Owl’s TikToks Are Such a Huge Success
- Duolingo doesn’t use TikTok (and Duo) to promote their app; instead, they leverage the platform to generate buzz and interest, especially among Gen-Z and millennial users. Over time, Duolingo has understood that Duo’s downright absurd, outside-the-box humor and shenanigans are seen as refreshing on TikTok, so they focus solely on being authentic and entertaining. They also interact with others in a similar vein, like responding, “can you do my brows for the next video” to a comment by a cosmetics brand.
- The Duolingo team jumps on topical trends, memes, and songs, incorporating them into their content. A great example is their Squid Game-themed ‘Red Light Green Light’ TikTok, where Duo chases down a group of people who choose to use Google Translate over learning a new language through Duolingo. Plus, they pay close attention to comments, actively experimenting and using ideas for future TikToks.
- Duolingo didn’t get to where they were right away; their willingness to be patient, open to creative experimentation, and pivot accordingly helped them gain traction. They honed in on how audiences resonated with their Duo TikToks, so they created more, ditching content that wasn’t getting them similar number of views and likes. Their iterative trial-and-error process helped cultivate an entertaining voice, tone, and image as a hook. Now when people think of learning a language, they think of Duo’s chaotic antics and Duolingo—that’s some great brand recall.
To conclude, Duo’s TikTok presence has led to a phenomenal spike in metrics across the board. The Duolingo TikTok account went from having around 50,000 followers in October 2021 to double that in a few months; today, it’s at 5 million followers and counting.
This has helped Duolingo gain more visibility and see a record number of rise in bookings, monthly and daily active users, downloads, and subscription revenue, also propelling it to the number one spot on the App Store’s list of education apps.
3. Ikea and Pinterest’s ‘Renocations’
Capitalizing on the boredom and wanderlust, many felt while being cooped up indoors during the pandemic, Pinterest and Ikea launched a ‘Renocations’ (renovations + vacations) campaign in 2021.
Pinterest found that searches for renovations went up on their platform by nearly 65% over the pandemic as people sought to freshen up their spaces.
Other rising trends included ‘maximalism,’ ‘grand millennial decor,’ ‘eclectic home,’ ‘sage green aesthetic,’ etc. So, combining their repository of endless decor-inspiring media with Ikea’s DIY furniture and innovative accessories, they created a fun, custom experience for users.
By interacting with a chatbot and answering three questions regarding their favorite getaway destination, activities, and home spaces, users could create their dream ‘renocation,’ generating a personalized Pinterest board and exclusive product recommendations from Ikea.
Why Renocations Was a Win-Win For Both Pinterest and Ikea
- The first-of-its-kind chatbot-to-board format helped Pinterest become a desirable partner for a brand like Ikea looking to link its products/sites through shoppable links.
- Pinterest is hailed as a product discovery platform, and it’s been integrating more and more social commerce features, like ‘Shop from Pins’ and ‘Shop from Search’. Tapping into Pinterest’s vast user base that already uses the platform for decor inspiration, Ikea was able to streamline the decor buying process while also reducing friction by suggesting products tailored to users’ preferences.
- The campaign was a success, with a 58% board generation rate and the creation of almost 5k boards and 93.4k Pins.
4. McDonalds’ BTS Meal
Regardless of whether you’re a fan of the K-Pop group BTS or not, you’ve probably heard of the McDonald’s BTS Meal.
The BTS Meal campaign was inspired by the idea that no matter how big or famous someone is, everyone has a go-to McDonald’s order. Running with the idea, McDonald’s created a ‘celebrity meal,’ turning it into a cultural event by launching the campaign across 49 countries in May-June 2021. The meal included 9-10 chicken McNuggets, fries, 2 special sauces (sweet chili and Cajun), and a Coke.
Why the BTS Meal Was a Hit
- McDonald’s spoke the ARMY’s (the BTS fandom) language. They used tailored social media tactics by creating teasers and tour-themed posts, announcing the release date for the meal in each country on their’s and BTS’ Instagrams. It was very similar to how K-Pop groups promote album releases and build anticipation, with ‘tour dates,’ concept photos, behind-the-scenes bloopers, and merch drops.
- Rather than creating something that would be appealing solely to the ARMY, McDonald’s added value to already existing aspects—the menu items, packaging, and mobile app. The ARMY found the in-app BTS content and exclusive signature purple packaging attractive, while non-ARMYs were curious about elements like the limited edition sauces. Essentially, McDonald’s was able to engage fans and non-fans while promoting their menu items, striking a balance between not being too exclusive and not ignoring the rest of their customer base.
- The campaign led to the creation of tons of user-generated content (UGC). Many ARMYs preserved the packaging, going on to sell it on eBay. Others repurposed it into merch like keychains, necklaces, coasters, and even shoes, posting about it on TikTok and Instagram. All this content helped promote the meal among those who weren’t aware of BTS (or their collaboration with McDonald’s), generating hype far and wide.
- This campaign is a great example of the power of influencer marketing. McDonald’s tapped into BTS’ vast and global following, created a sense of authenticity with something as ordinary as a McDonald’s meal being associated with a huge K-pop group, making them feel more connected to both BTS and the brand. Plus, the campaign launch content became McDonald’s most-liked Instagram post, most retweeted Tweet, and the no. 1 Twitter trend in the US at the time. Google searches for BTS were at an all-time high, and the meal was also featured in Google’s ‘Year in Review’ list.
A glance at stats shared by McDonald’s illustrates just how impactful the campaign was:
- 74.6 billion— Potential reach
- 11.5 million—Social mentions
- 41% increase in global sales
- $98MM in incremental sales
- 2,316 earned media placements
5. #MyIndia by MakeMyTrip
While most international borders were still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MakeMyTrip drew on Indians’ urge to travel and explore destinations by highlighting the ‘hidden gems’ within India itself with its #MyIndia campaign.
Kickstarting on Republic Day 2021, MMT collaborated with 60+ influencers, celebrities, and content creators who took audiences on virtual tours through lesser-known destinations across the country via images, videos, Reels, and more. This was accompanied by detailed descriptions and itineraries on MMT’s app as well as a contest inviting participants to share their favorite ‘hidden gems.’ Winners of the contest went on to represent the North, South, East, and West zones of the country as travel ambassadors.
Why #MyIndia Struck a Chord
- The ‘online travel parade’ encouraged Indians to explore 100+ locations in 19 states and 3 UTs over a span of 60 days. Personalities and influencers like Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Guru Randhawa, Pankaj Tripathi, Shenaz Treasury, etc., created Stories, Reels, carousel posts, polls, and videos with MMT campaign stickers and hashtags, building brand awareness and hype.
- MMT emphasizing that their collaboration with influencers had more to do with making them ‘local travel ambassadors’ than using their followers made them seem more authentic. Plus, passing on the ambassadorship not just to influencers but the audience at large made this a community-first campaign, with the benefit of higher involvement and engagement.
- MMT saw a month-on-month rise in domestic travel bookings, especially during the festive season and winter. Destinations like the Andamans, Shillong, Alleppey, Kutch, Hampi, etc. found more travelers on and through the MMT platform.
MMT shared the impact of the campaign as well:
- 8.6 million+ impressions
- 9 million+ views
- 11.53% MoM growth in followers on Instagram
- 18.82% Instagram engagement rate compared to the goal of 10%
- 5% growth in direct orders
What are Digital Marketing Campaigns?
Digital marketing campaigns are a coordinated series of online marketing strategies, such as ads, blogs, emails, or social media posts, aimed at propelling you toward a specific goal.
Your campaign can involve one or several promotional strategies to grow your brand’s presence—it all depends on what you intend to do—increase website traffic, boost conversions, or generate leads.
Digital campaigns can often potentially be less expensive to run than traditional ones since you can leverage low-cost or free mediums like social media. Plus, as online marketing examples demonstrate, there’s the added benefit of being able to deliver a more personal experience to customers, gauge their responses in real-time, and optimize your efforts as you go.
As you can imagine, there are many moving parts to such a project, so it helps to have a plan to guide you through it. Let’s see what that entails in the below digital marketing examples.
What Makes a Successful Digital Campaign?
To create a trailblazing digital campaign that cuts through the noise and gets your message across to the target audience, you’re going to need—guess what—tons of research, planning, and patience.
While the conceptualization of marketing campaigns will differ based on your brand, goals, industry, and resources, here’s a basic blueprint to start with:
- Define your goals and objectives: Clearly define what you want to achieve with your campaign, whether it’s enhancing website traffic, boosting sales, or building brand awareness.
- Identify your target audience: Understand who your target audience is, what their needs and pain points are, and where they spend time online.
- Develop a content strategy: Create high-quality, relevant, and engaging content with clear calls to action—they should resonate with your target audience and support your campaign goals.
- Choose the right channels: Have a budget in mind and allocate resources while selecting the digital channels that will reach your target audience most effectively, such as social media, email, videos, or online ads.
- Execute, analyze, and optimize: Implement your campaign, use analytics and metrics to track its performance, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments as necessary.
- Continuously improve: Use the insights gained from your analysis to improve your campaign and achieve better results in the future.
Here are some bonus tips:
1. Use a mix of paid, earned, owned, and borrowed media, if possible.
2. Aim to create a seamless, end-to-end brand experience. Say you created an Instagram ad; be sure to link it to a relevant page connecting the two that helps users effortlessly complete the desired action.
3. This also brings us to—an oft-overlooked component of successful campaigns—set up dedicated landing pages. These present all the required information in a neat package and help fulfill your campaign goals.
Key Takeaways to Glean from These Digital Marketing Examples
As you scrolled through these digital marketing examples, you might’ve noticed a few common threads running through most.
Being authentic, understanding who your audience is and what makes them tick, experimenting with innovative ideas, testing out strategies, and constantly improving on what could be better—all of these can go a long way in ensuring your campaign has the makings of a recipe for success.
We hope you found tons of fodder for inspiration and go on to create amazing campaigns of your own—all the very best!
FAQs
1. What are the types of digital marketing examples for campaigns?
Based on your goals, there are broadly three types of campaigns in digital marketing:
- Campaigns for customer acquisition
- Campaigns to boost conversions
- Campaigns to build trust and ensure retention
Each campaign type might have a unique approach or tactics based on the target audience. Occasionally, they might overlap or be run in unison.
2. What are some of the best digital marketing examples?
Some of the best examples of a digital marketing strategy done right have been featured in our blog:
- Spotify Wrapped
- Duolingo’s TikToks featuring Duo the Owl
- Ikea and Pinterest’s chatbot quiz/moodboard
- McDonald’s BTS meal
- MakeMyTrip’s #MyIndia campaign
Be sure to check out the strategies they adopted and try them out yourself!
3. How to create a successful digital marketing campaign?
If you want to create something that’s going to be one of the best digital campaigns out there, remember that the process essentially boils down to:
- Defining your goals
- Knowing your audience
- Choosing the right channels
- Creating compelling content
- Staying consistent with your efforts
- Using data and analytics
- Testing and iterating
4. What are the components of a digital marketing campaign?
Here are digital marketing strategy examples that serve as components of most campaigns:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Influencer Marketing
- Affiliate Marketing
- Video Marketing
- Mobile Marketing
- Display Advertising
Some or each of these can be leveraged in the right proportions to build an effective digital campaign.
5. How to measure the success of a digital marketing campaign?
Depending on your goals and the channels you’ve chosen for your digital marketing campaign, the KPIs or metrics you measure might differ. However, here are some key metrics you can track:
- Overall traffic to your website/webpages
- Conversion rates
- Impressions
- Social reach
- Social engagement—likes, shares, saves, comments, retweets, etc.
- Overall RoI
Seeing a steady rise in and consistent outcomes from these metrics can indicate that your campaign is faring well.
