The World’s Best Viral Campaigns

In today’s digital world, going viral is the ultimate mark of success for any marketing campaign. The power of social media and the internet has given rise to creative and powerful viral campaigns that have reached millions of people in a matter of days, if not hours. From heartwarming videos to controversial hashtags, these viral campaigns have captured the attention of the world and left a lasting impact on society. Here are some of the best viral campaigns that have taken the world by storm.

1. #IceBucketChallenge

The Ice Bucket Challenge is one of the most successful and impactful viral campaigns in recent history. It started in the summer of 2014 when a young man named Pete Frates, who suffered from ALS, started the challenge to raise awareness and funds for the disease. The challenge involved pouring a bucket of ice water over one’s head and nominating others to do the same or donate to the ALS Association. It quickly spread through social media, and celebrities, politicians, and even former US President George W. Bush joined in. The campaign raised over $115 million for ALS research and brought global attention to the disease.

2. Dove Real Beauty Sketches

Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches campaign was a game-changer in the world of viral marketing. The campaign aimed to challenge the narrow definition of beauty by conducting an experiment where a forensic artist drew two portraits of women – one based on their own description and the other based on a stranger’s description. The emotional video revealed that women were more critical of their appearance than others, and encouraged viewers to embrace their natural beauty. The campaign not only went viral with over 114 million views on YouTube, but it also won numerous awards and sparked important discussions about beauty standards.

3. Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”

In 2010, Old Spice launched a hilarious and absurd viral campaign featuring the “Old Spice Guy,” played by actor Isaiah Mustafa. The series of short videos showed the suave and confident Old Spice Guy addressing women while simultaneously promoting the brand’s body wash. The ads went viral, spawning parodies, memes, and even an interactive campaign where Mustafa responded to fans’ comments on various social media platforms. The campaign generated a 2700% increase in Old Spice body wash sales, proving the power of humor and creativity in viral marketing.

4. #LikeAGirl

Always’ #LikeAGirl campaign aimed to break the stereotypes surrounding the phrase “like a girl.” The powerful video showed young girls and boys being asked to perform actions “like a girl,” which they did in a weak and exaggerated manner. The video then showed younger girls confidently performing the same actions, emphasizing the idea that the phrase “like a girl” should not be an insult. The campaign went viral with over 90 million views and sparked a conversation about gender equality and empowering girls. It also won several awards, including a Cannes Lion.

5. Share a Coke

In 2011, Coca-Cola launched the “Share a Coke” campaign, where they replaced the Coca-Cola logo on their bottles with popular names and phrases. The campaign encouraged people to share a Coke with their friends and family and sparked a wave of social media posts with the hashtag #ShareaCoke. The personal touch and the trendy hashtag made the campaign a huge success, with Coke recording a 7% increase in sales in the first year. The campaign has since been repeated in various countries and has become a staple in Coca-Cola’s marketing strategy.

6. Red Bull Stratos

The Red Bull Stratos campaign was an extreme and daring marketing stunt that captured the world’s attention. In 2012, Red Bull sponsored Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner’s record-breaking free fall from the edge of space, 24 miles above the earth’s surface. The event was streamed live on various platforms, generating over 52 million views and creating a frenzy on social media. The campaign also broke several records, including the most concurrent views for a live stream and the highest free fall ever recorded.

7. ALS “Name Your Fear”

In 2016, the ALS Association launched the #UnstoppableMe campaign, challenging people to name their biggest fears and face them by donating to the association. The campaign featured a powerful video that showed individuals facing their fears, including a person with ALS who dared to ride a rollercoaster. The campaign was a huge success, generating over 20 million views and significant donations to the association.

8. Always “End Period Poverty”

In 2020, Always, in partnership with Walgreens, launched the “End Period Poverty” campaign to bring attention to the issue of period poverty in the United States. The campaign featured a video that highlighted the difficulties faced by girls who do not have access to period products, and encouraged viewers to donate to support the cause. The video went viral, generating over 5 million views and $5 million in donations to help provide period products to girls in need. The success of the campaign also led to the government passing a bill to provide free period products to schools in the US.

9. #KylieJennerLipChallenge

While not an official marketing campaign, the #KylieJennerLipChallenge is a prime example of how social media can create viral marketing unintentionally. In 2015, the young reality TV star posted a photo showcasing her plump lips, which sparked a trend of people attempting to recreate her look by sucking on a shot glass. The trend quickly went viral, with thousands of videos and photos flooding social media, but it also raised concerns about the dangers of trying to achieve unrealistic beauty standards. The campaign served as a cautionary tale for brands and individuals alike.

10. Nike “Dream Crazy”

In 2018, Nike released a powerful and controversial ad featuring former NFL player Colin Kaepernick. The ad, titled “Dream Crazy,” showed various athletes, including Kaepernick, who have faced adversity and used their platform to stand up for what they believe in. The ad received both praise and backlash, with people either supporting or boycotting the brand. However, the ad quickly went viral, generating over 26 million views on YouTube and inspiring a new generation of athletes to dream big and stand up for their beliefs.

In Conclusion

Viral campaigns have the power to reach millions of people and create a lasting impact on society. Whether it’s through humor, emotion, or controversy, these campaigns have captured the world’s attention and sparked important conversations about various social issues. As technology and social media continue to evolve, the possibilities for viral marketing are endless, leaving marketers with the challenge of creating the next big viral campaign that will be remembered for years to come.