At Kiss, we love a good scare… so combine it with something else we’re passionate about, the wonderful world of marketing, and you have a recipe for success.
As the big day draws near, we thought we’d share five of our favourite Halloween campaigns of all time (in no particular order) with you – just remember to leave the lights on while you read it!
Burger King channels ‘IT’ to taunt its biggest rival
It’s a great time for scary clowns. The latest big screen adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic horror story IT is all the rage, and Burger King knows how to leverage that to its advantage. In this brilliant ad from the King, Ronald McDonald is cast as a villain… but what’s his motivation? We won’t spoil the end for you, but it sends a clear, clever, message about the quality of Burger King against McDonald’s.
Dirt Devil pays homage to the world’s most famous horror film
Stephen King’s IT is a great tale, no doubt. But if you’re a true horror fan, you’ll know that one film stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to defining the genre: The Exorcist. This film was so terrifying to audiences that it was banned in multiple theatres and countries. But vacuum-maker Dirt Devil recreated a scene from it with impressive authenticity… and turned it into a smart comedy that sells the power of their product.
Skittle’s focuses on “bite-sized” horror shorts
In 2017, Skittles had a wonderfully innovative idea: focus on bite-sized horror movies, just like parents would be focussing on bite-sized candy for trick-or-treaters. This fairly tenuous link freed up the creative team to produce a really, really good horror movie that was perfectly suitable for viewers of all ages. Clocking in at two minutes long, it’s the longest ad on this list… but watch it – you won’t be disappointed!
Skoda helps adults find their inner child
Halloween’s fun for all ages, but (like most holidays) it’s really all about the kids. Or is it? Skoda, a brand that engineered a remarkable comeback some years ago, wants you to find your inner child… and this heart-warming ad knows just how to insert its brand at the crucial moment.
Snickers goes surreal… nearly
This short advert is probably the most surreal on the list… Halloween Grocery Store Lady really is creepy! But a quick reveal at the end diffuses the weirdness and finds a fun way to hammer home its call to action: kids love Snickers, so stock up for trick-or-treat!
With Halloween just a few days away, it’s too late to leverage it for your own marketing this year. But themed campaigns and holiday specials are a smart and interesting way to get your customers engaged with your content. Need a hand before Christmas comes ‘round? Give Kiss a call on 01675 446101.