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25 Examples of Subtle Marketing Tactics

From Adorable Animal Ads to Radically Romantic Billboards

— February 26, 2014 — Marketing
There are various marketing tactics used by major companies to promote their products. Usually, companies like to go big and flashy for their business forgetting that sometimes less can be a lot more.

Subtle forms of marketing leave all the bold flash and in-your-face advertising in the backseat while it shines with low key presentation that is just as effective. Not-so-flashy ads like the CarMax commercial --featuring personified puppies-- hooked buyers with its clever appeal and undeniable cuteness. Not all buyers can be bought with per-meditated publicity stunts, and prefer slower paced marketing tactics that just work just as well.

The "wow factor" isn't always what gives a business a booming head start, and these reserved forms of advertising prove that they can still have impressive results.
5.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
24
Family-Finding Foster Videos
Family-Finding Foster Videos
The Story of I Shows How Parents Can Bring Joy to a Lonely Child
<
23
Canine Car Shop Ads
Canine Car Shop Ads
The 'Slow Bark' CarMax Ad is Made for the Puppy Bowl
<
22
Romantic Snowman Ads
Romantic Snowman Ads
‘The Journey’ by John Lewis is Adorably Enduring
<
21
Sweet Escape Perfume Commercials
Sweet Escape Perfume Commercials
The L'Eau de Chloe Advertising Campaign is Fresh and Spring-Like
<
20
Bittersweet Canine Auto Ads
Bittersweet Canine Auto Ads
This Citroen Car Commercial Shows Two Dogs in Love
<
19
Bad Food Boomerang Ads
Bad Food Boomerang Ads
The Teva Losec Capsules Campaign Fights Against Acid Reflux
<
18
Monstrous Pimple Ads
Monstrous Pimple Ads
The Oatmeal Spot Clear Ad Campaign Shows What People See When They Have a Zit
<
17
Cheek-Bursting Sweet Bread Ads
Cheek-Bursting Sweet Bread Ads
The Panettone Tottus Campaign Revolves Around Eager Children
<
16
Surreally Mouthed Fish Ads
Surreally Mouthed Fish Ads
The Saila Breath Mint Campaign Centers Around Hilarious Hybrids
<
15
Personifed Canine Campaigns
Personifed Canine Campaigns
The Acne Studios Spring/Summer 2013 Advert Stars Fashionable Animals
<
14
Clumsy Animal Branding
Clumsy Animal Branding
Pekabesko Pate Packaging Features Cartoon Creatures in Dangerous Situations
<
13
City-Garbed Couple Ads
City-Garbed Couple Ads
The Thalys Fast Train Campaign Focuses on Long Distance Relationships
<
12
Creepily Illustrated Toothpaste Ads
Creepily Illustrated Toothpaste Ads
The Colgate Pro Sensitive Toothpaste Campaign is Disturbing
<
11
Geektastic Love Songs
Geektastic Love Songs
‘Canon Boy Meets Nikon Girl: the Rap Video' is Hilariously Aweso
<
10
Fast Food Diorama Ads
Fast Food Diorama Ads
The McDonald’s Happy Meal 2013 Campaign Promotes Children's Creativity
<
9
Transforming Candy Campaigns
Transforming Candy Campaigns
Enjoy Strawberry and Pear with these Starburst Flavour Morphs Ads
<
8
Dueling Brother Campaigns
Dueling Brother Campaigns
The 'Claude vs Pierre' Stella Artois Commercial is Cute
<
7
Choco-Bar Juice Boxes
Choco-Bar Juice Boxes
The Cocoa Metro Campaign is Crafty, Creative and Clever
<
6
Tooth-Shaped Plate Ads
Tooth-Shaped Plate Ads
The Even Mouthwash Campaign Encourages Removing All the Dirt
<
5
Car Key Landscape Ads
Car Key Landscape Ads
The Volkswagen Amarok Campaign is Imaginatively Adventurous
<
4
Illustrated Avian Supplement Packaging
Illustrated Avian Supplement Packaging
Pearlfisher's Avian Packaging is Beautifully Minimalist
<
3
Animal Print Branding
Animal Print Branding
Saloio Cheese Packaging Wears the Skin of its Livestock Source
<
2
Butchered Snack Branding
Butchered Snack Branding
Real Meat Jerky Packaging Presents Itself Simply But Successfully
<
1
Pictorial Popsicle Packaging
Pictorial Popsicle Packaging
Freeze Ice Lollies Branding Features Iconic Images of Colorful Treats
<