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Covert Campaigning

Brands create faux accounts on social platforms to engage consumers

Implications - Moving beyond traditional social media engagement, brands are turning to unsuspecting online marketing tactics to add intrigue to the brand-consumer experience. Creating faux profiles and accounts, brands are going undercover to engage with consumers in a more lighthearted yet approachable manner. This covert tactic reflects a need to not only engage with consumers online, but to do so in a way that fosters a real and authentic connection with those involved.
Workshop Question - What is one way that your brand gathers consumer insights? Could you alter this to be more obscure? How?
Trend Themes
1. Covert Marketing - Brands are engaging consumers through faux profiles and accounts, fostering authentic connections and adding intrigue to online interactions.
2. Social Network Marketing - TV shows and beer brands alike make use of LinkedIn and Tinder, respectively, to find and target their audiences, and to gather data to fuel market research.
3. Social Media Collaboration - Artists like Jason Derulo and EDM producer Zedd are finding unique ways to partner with popular dating apps like Tinder to access and promote their content.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - Covert campaigns and social network marketing demonstrate how businesses can engage consumers in new, creative ways and drive audience growth through dynamic offline to online campaigns.
2. Entertainment - TV shows and independent artists are finding innovative ways to reach their fans and grow their audiences, such as collaborating with popular social media platforms and dating apps to attract younger consumers.
3. Consumer Goods - Marketing campaigns for beer brands and personal grooming products are making use of large scale hookup apps to gather data on user preferences to develop more effective marketing strategies.
4.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
7 Featured, 54 Examples:
139,384 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Jan 15 — May 15
Trending:
Average
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

Robotic Dating App Stunts
Robotic Dating App Stunts
This SXSW Tinder Marketing Stunt Used a Hot Robot to Promote Ex Machina
This SXSW Tinder marketing stunt sneakily and effectively made use of the popular dating and hookup app to promote Ex Machina, an artificial intelligence thriller directed by Alex Garland and... MORE
play_circle_filled Bearded Matchmaking Research
Bearded Matchmaking Research
These Gillette Dating Statistics Take Advantage of Tinder's Big Data
Gillette dating research was conducted in order better market shaving products to the college crowd. Interestingly, conventional means of doing market research and promoting the findings were not... MORE
Dating App Marketing Campaigns
Dating App Marketing Campaigns
Jason Derulo Recently Launched a New Video Through Tinder
In an example of innovative marketing campaigns that involve partnerships between brands and social networks, Jason Derulo recently launched the music video for his new single ‘Want To Want Me&#... MORE
play_circle_filled Secretive Party Campaigns
Secretive Party Campaigns
Jagermeister's Undercover Games Used Snapchat to Reveal a Secret Party
Inspired by a time when word of mouth was the only way people knew to attend an upcoming party, Jägermeister set up the Undercover Games on Snapchat. This marketing stunt targeted a young, hip... MORE
play_circle_filled Creepy Networking Campaigns
Creepy Networking Campaigns
This TV Marketing Stunt for 'Stalker' Scoped Out Profiles on LinkedIn
In order to give people a taste of the kind of creepiness that they can expect from tuning into Stalker, a new TV show on Vier, this unsettling TV marketing stunt was set up on LinkedIn. Playing off... MORE
play_circle_filled Intoxicating Dating Stunts
Intoxicating Dating Stunts
Primus' Mobile Marketing Stunt Targets Guys on Tinder
Since there are more and more people meeting through online dating sites and apps, this means fewer chance encounters at a bar—but Belgian beer brand Primus wanted to discourage this behavior with... MORE
play_circle_filled Feline Dating Campaigns
Feline Dating Campaigns
This Canadian Cat Rescue Association Used Tinder for 'Catfishing'
When it comes to online dating, being a victim of catfishing is never desirable, unless it’s part of this stunt from the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association. Two negatives (catfishing... MORE

Related Examples

Dating App Album Promotions
Dating App Album Promotions
EDM Producer Zedd Has Launched His New Album on Tinder
Tattoo Dating Apps
Tattoo Dating Apps
Tatchat is a New Dating App That Helps Connect Fellow Tattoo Enthusiasts
Casual Friendship Apps
Casual Friendship Apps
The Wiith App is a Tinder-Inspired platform for making new friends
Astrological Dating Apps
Astrological Dating Apps
Align Analyzes Zodiac Compatibility to Make Love Matches
Proximity-Based Dating Apps
Proximity-Based Dating Apps
'Happn' is a Dating App That Aims to Make Missed Connections History
Festival-Focused Video Sharing
Festival-Focused Video Sharing
These Snapchat Coachella Filters Create Concert-Branded Clips
Fast Food Emoji Apps
Fast Food Emoji Apps
The Burger King Emoji Keyboard Celebrates the Return of Chicken Fries
Collaborative Video Apps
Collaborative Video Apps
Facebook's Riff App Enhances the Social Aspect to Media Sharing
YouTuber Lifestyle Networks
YouTuber Lifestyle Networks
Beauty Guru Michelle Phan Launches ICON Network with Endemol Beyond
BNN: CEO of Trend Hunter Jeremy Gutsche Dives into Traps to Avoid With Better and Faster
BNN: CEO of Trend Hunter Jeremy Gutsche Dives into Traps to Avoid With Better and Faster
Female-Empowering Messaging Apps
Female-Empowering Messaging Apps
The Bumble App for Dating Only Lets Women Start Conversations
Inappropriately Remastered Logos
Inappropriately Remastered Logos
Penised.com Helps People Use Phallic Humor Against Rival Brands
Striking Womanless Ads
Striking Womanless Ads
Droga5's Gender Equality Campaign Proves Something is Missing
Live Streamed Keynotes
Live Streamed Keynotes
Jeremy Gutsche's SXSW Book Launch is One of the First Keynotes on Meerkat
play_circle_filled E-Dating Mockery
E-Dating Mockery
Trend Hunter's Laura McQuarrie Discusses Examples of Tinder Jokes and Parodies
Live Broadcasting Apps
Live Broadcasting Apps
Stre.am Combines Chat Messaging and Livestreaming Content
play_circle_filled Equality Publicity Stunts
Equality Publicity Stunts
The 'Diversity & Inclusion - Love Has No Labels' Ad Showcases Skeletons
Collaborative Retail Studios
Collaborative Retail Studios
The Gift Shop by Red Bull is a Sensory Hub for Co-Creation
Social Good Diets
Social Good Diets
Givesom's 1.25 Diet Has You Spend Only $1.25 on Food and Donate the Rest
Startup Networking Apps
Startup Networking Apps
Lunchcruit Builds Professional Connections Through Sit-Down Meals
Premium Dating Apps (UPDATE)
Premium Dating Apps (UPDATE)
This Advertisement for Tinder Plus Will Take You on an Adventure
Sobriety Dating Services
Sobriety Dating Services
The Sober Dating App Helps Those Who Don't Imbibe Find Love
Positive Polling Apps
Positive Polling Apps
The Honestly App Anonymously Surveys Your Friends
play_circle_filled Underprivileged Networking Stunts
Underprivileged Networking Stunts
This Charity Marketing Stunt Involves a Mock Profile on LinkedIn
Bubble-Popping Promotions
Bubble-Popping Promotions
This Dragon Quest Video Game Marketing Stunt Features a Slime Wall
Warming Fitness Stations
Warming Fitness Stations
The Russian Olympic Committee's Heat Lamp Design Encourages Activity
Internet Culture Valentines
Internet Culture Valentines
These Modern Valentine's Cards are for Modern Couples
Female Mentorship Platforms
Female Mentorship Platforms
The Glassbreakers App Matches Up Women in Tech for Guidance
play_circle_filled Cinematic Networking Campaigns
Cinematic Networking Campaigns
Taken 3's LinkedIn Marketing Stunt Promises Skill Endorsement
Customizable Social Cutouts
Customizable Social Cutouts
InstaFrameUK Crafts Personalized Social Media Frame Props
Matchmaking Gift Apps
Matchmaking Gift Apps
Argos' Gift Finder App Uses a Swiping System Like Tinder
Haunted Networking Campaigns
Haunted Networking Campaigns
This Fake LinkedIn Profile Encourages Parents to Spend Time with Kids
On-Demand Dating Apps
On-Demand Dating Apps
An Update to Clover's Mobile Dating Application Will Help You Get Lucky Fast
Photo-Sharing Dating Apps
Photo-Sharing Dating Apps
The Glimpse Dating App Syncs with Instagram to Make Romantic Connections
Dating App Awareness Campaigns
Dating App Awareness Campaigns
This Awareness-Raising Sex Trafficking Campaign Lives on Tinder
Romantic Adoption Apps
Romantic Adoption Apps
The AllPaws Pet Adoption App is Inspired by How Mobile Dating Works
Christmas Networking Campaigns
Christmas Networking Campaigns
NSPCC's Christmas Campaign Helps Santa Recruit on LinkedIn
Magical Hookup Bios
Magical Hookup Bios
The Fake Tinder Profiles Imagine Harry Potter Characters Looking for Adult Fun
Luxurious Dating Apps
Luxurious Dating Apps
The Luxy App is Tinder Made Exclusively for the Wealthy and Attractive
Business Dating Apps
Business Dating Apps
BeLinked is Like a Cross Between Tinder and a Linkedin Dating App
Stranger Messenger Apps
Stranger Messenger Apps
The Somebody App Allows You to Send a Message to People in Your Location
Sweet Dating Campaigns
Sweet Dating Campaigns
Carrousel's Tinder Marketing Campaign Matches Girls to Macarons
play_circle_filled Canine Matchmaking Campaigns
Canine Matchmaking Campaigns
The Puppy Love Pet Adoption Campaign Matches People to Loving Pets
Political Matchmaking Campaigns
Political Matchmaking Campaigns
Ontario Libertarian's Political Campaign Courted Voters on Tinder
Tinder-Inspired Travel Ads
Tinder-Inspired Travel Ads
These Suggestive Ads Present Chicaco Hot Spots Like Dating Profiles
play_circle_filled Flirty Motel Campaigns
Flirty Motel Campaigns
This Interactive Turquesa Motel Ad Flirts with Prospective Guests on Tinder
Matchmaking Shoe Apps
Matchmaking Shoe Apps
The SoSho Footwear App is Like Tinder for Shoes
Empowering Networking Pages
Empowering Networking Pages
The New Barbie LinkedIn Profile Encourages Female Entrepreneurs
play_circle_filled Lookalike Language Campaigns
Lookalike Language Campaigns
Britanico Sent People LinkedIn Requests from English-Speaking Clones
Career-Oriented Dating Apps
Career-Oriented Dating Apps
LinkedIn Creates an Online Dating App Called LinkedUp! App
play_circle_filled Creepy Recruitment Campaigns
Creepy Recruitment Campaigns
Interns Beware: Mother New York Has 'Donald' Watching You
play_circle_filled Real-Time Social Apps
Real-Time Social Apps
The SocialRadar App Uses Social Media to Tell You About Those Around You
Soleful Dating App Stunts
Soleful Dating App Stunts
Keep's Tinder Dating Profile Appeals to Those Who Love Shoes
In-Flight Networking Apps
In-Flight Networking Apps
Virgin America's Here on Biz App Connects Travellers in the Sky