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Emoji Branding

Younger consumers respond enthusiastically to visual branding tactics

Implications - The landscape of communication has been radically transformed by the introduction of the emoji. Brands hoping to appeal to younger, tech-savvy audiences, such as college students and Millennials, have begun incorporating emojis into their branding strategy. Consumers are not only responding to the social media reference, but to the streamlined nature of the emoji, suggesting that an uncluttered aesthetic and intuitive approach is paramount when it comes to branding towards the younger generation.
Workshop Question - How can your brand better adapt to the needs and preferences of Millennial and Gen Z consumers?
Trend Themes
1. Emojis as a Marketing Tool - As emojis become universal and social media channels like Instagram and Snapchat draw attention to them, companies are utilizing them in their branding and advertising strategies more frequently.
2. Emoji Based Literacy Campaigns - Companies like Domino's are running awareness campaigns to promote the literacy of emojis with ads, PSAs, and promotional items like flash cards.
3. Custom Branded Emoji Keyboards - Companies like L'oreal and Holiday Inn Express are creating custom emoji keyboards that incorporate their brand and are meant to broaden their target audience and spark conversation around their products.
Industry Implications
1. Food Industry - Fast food chains like Burger King and McDonald's are using emojis as part of their marketing strategies, while companies like Domino's are promoting their products and running educational campaigns through emoji use.
2. Beauty Industry - Companies like L'oreal are tapping into the popularity of emojis with their own branded keyboards, designed to promote a stronger relationship with their millennial target demographic.
3. Hospitality Industry - Hotels like Holiday Inn Express are using emojis to promote their products, by creating a breakfast-themed keyboard for guest usage.
5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
9 Featured, 73 Examples:
262,641 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Apr 15 — Jul 16
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

Fast Food Emoji Apps
Fast Food Emoji Apps
The Burger King Emoji Keyboard Celebrates the Return of Chicken Fries
The Burger King emoji keyboard is a mobile app created in partnership with mobile developer GOLDRUN. Marketing to millennials is no easy feat but the fast food giant proves that they understand what... MORE
Silly Emoji Campaigns
Silly Emoji Campaigns
Emoji Literacy by Domino's is Helping More People Read and Write Emoticons
In a tongue and cheek emoji campaign, pizza chain Domino’s is trying to raise awareness and promote the literacy of emoticons. Following the recent announcement that you can order Domino’... MORE
Breakfast Emoji Keyboards
Breakfast Emoji Keyboards
Holiday Inn Express Turns Morning Meal Items into a Visual Language
Hotel chain Holiday Inn Express recently has put together a breakfast emoji keyboard dubbed BREAKFA-moji that allows mobile users to download visual graphics of various morning meal items redesigned... MORE
Fast Food Emoji Ads
Fast Food Emoji Ads
These McDonald's Billboards Are Marked with Emoticon Imagery
McDonald’s is no stranger to millennial marketing strategies and their fast food emojis illustrate the brand’s understanding of young consumers. Conceived by the creative team at TBWA... MORE
Branded Emoji Keyboards
Branded Emoji Keyboards
L’Oréal Launches Branded Emojis Inspired by Hair and Makeup
Emoji lovers can’t wait to download these new branded emojis being released by L’Oréal. The cosmetics brand has created its own emojis that can be added to the keyboards of both iOS and... MORE
Emoji Protest Signs
Emoji Protest Signs
Pentagram Delivers Messages Without Words at the People's Climate March
Protest signs can be witty, but wordy and the chants that groups shout out can be sometimes hard to hear if you don’t know what the people are protesting for. In order to make the messages... MORE
Caffeinated Emoji Ads
Caffeinated Emoji Ads
This NESCAFE Ad Offers a Look Behind a Popular Emoji
With few words, the ‘Emojis’ ad from NESCAFÉ gives a story to one of the most popular emojis. The ad expresses that the instant coffee product serves as “The power behind any... MORE
Curly-Haired Emojis
Curly-Haired Emojis
Dove Launched a New Emoji Keyboard for Its 'Love Your Curls' Campaign
These new curly-haired emojis were launched in tandem with Dove’s ‘Love Your Curls’ campaign, encouraging women with curly hair to embrace their waves. While straight hair often... MORE
Automotive Emoji Messages
Automotive Emoji Messages
Chevrolet Teases the Cruze with a Cryptic All-Emoji Release
Sometimes, an emoji message just says it best. Now that emojis are being called the most fast-spreading universal language, it’s no surprise that Chevrolet is tapping into one of the most... MORE

Related Examples

Old-School Mac Emojis
Old-School Mac Emojis
Apple's 'Classic Mac' Emojis Bring Back iMac Imagery
Personalized Emojis
Personalized Emojis
Facebook Patents Making People's Faces New Emojis
Professional Emoji Concepts
Professional Emoji Concepts
These Empowering Google Emojis Depict Professions for Men and Women
Coffee Brand Blow Dryers
Coffee Brand Blow Dryers
The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Hair Blow Dryer is Designed for Male Users
Socially Aware Emoji Apps
Socially Aware Emoji Apps
The MuvaMoji App From Amber Rose Adds Activism to Personal Branding
Humorous Presidential Emojis
Humorous Presidential Emojis
These Political Emojis are Available for Super Tuesday 2016
Audible Emoji Apps
Audible Emoji Apps
The Audiots App Adds the Appropriate Sounds to Emojis
Celebratory Basketball Emojis
Celebratory Basketball Emojis
These Custom Sport Emojis Celebrate Toronto's NBA All-Star Weekend
Couture Emoji Apps
Couture Emoji Apps
You Can Now Bring Designer Imagery to Your Selfies with Versace Emojis
Reality Star Emojis
Reality Star Emojis
Kim Kardashian's Kimojis Focus on the Celebrities Well-Known Accomplishments
DIY Thanksgiving Place Cards
DIY Thanksgiving Place Cards
This Tutorial Involves Turning Acorns into Popular Emojis
Concealed Emoji Classical Paintings
Concealed Emoji Classical Paintings
These Famous Works of Art Feature Hidden Smartphone Graphics
Expressive Food Emojis
Expressive Food Emojis
Unicode Consortium is Aiming to Add Several More Meal Graphics
Emoji Slip-On Platforms
Emoji Slip-On Platforms
The T.U.K Emoji Creepers Make Classic Emoticons Wearable
Customizable Cosmetics Packaging
Customizable Cosmetics Packaging
Glossier Skincare Products Come with a Set of Decorative Stickers
Millennial Merit Badges
Millennial Merit Badges
These Satiric Badges Poke Fun at the Tech-Savvy Habits of Millennials
Indian Festival Emoticons
Indian Festival Emoticons
Twitter India is Launching This Happy Diwali Emoji for the Holidays
Conceptual Female Emojis
Conceptual Female Emojis
These Women Emoji Images Describe True Female Struggles
Expressive Emoji Keyboards
Expressive Emoji Keyboards
The EmojiWorks Computer Keys Allow for Visual Expression
Instantaneous Coffee Shop Packets
Instantaneous Coffee Shop Packets
The Nescafe Cafe Menu Line Mimics In-store Java Blends
play_circle_filled Virtual Reality Coffee Tours
Virtual Reality Coffee Tours
This Nescafe 360-Degree Video Showcases International Coffee Growers
Presidential Emoji Keyboards
Presidential Emoji Keyboards
The 'HillMoji' Boasts a Collection of Hillary Clinton-Inspired Emojis
City-Inspired Emojis
City-Inspired Emojis
These Emojis are the Ideal Virtual Communication Tool for Urban Citizens
Dog Adoption Emojis
Dog Adoption Emojis
This Dog Keyboard Encourages Users to Adopt Real Canine Pets
Feline-Themed Emojis
Feline-Themed Emojis
These Cheeky Cat Emojis are Perfect for Pet Owners
Pizza-Tracking Apps
Pizza-Tracking Apps
Domino's Apple Watch App Helps the Hungry Track an Incoming Pizza Order
Moody Messenger Emojis
Moody Messenger Emojis
Skype Now Includes Character Emojis from the Disney 'Inside Out' Movie
Canadian Emoji Keyboards
Canadian Emoji Keyboards
Tim Hortons Helps You Send a Canada Day Message Via the Ehmoji Keyboard
play_circle_filled Traffic Coffee Dispensers
Traffic Coffee Dispensers
Nescafe Doles Out Coffee and 'Instant Connections' at a Crossing Light
Emoji Passcodes
Emoji Passcodes
Intelligent Environments Develops an Alternative to Four Digit Bank Pins
Emoji Analysis Campaigns
Emoji Analysis Campaigns
Old Navy's Emoodji Reveals Insights Based on Popular Emoji Use
Feminist Emojis
Feminist Emojis
Artists from 'MAKERS' Have Updated the Emoji Alphabet to Honor Feminist Icons
play_circle_filled Emoji Branding
Emoji Branding
Laura McQuarrie Counts Down Her Favorite Examples of Emoticon Ad Campaigns
Victimized Emoji Initiatives
Victimized Emoji Initiatives
The Abused Emojis Empower Children to Speak Up
Emoji Bobblehead Stunts
Emoji Bobblehead Stunts
This TalkTalk Mobile Marketing Campaign Promotes a Test on Emoji IQ
Animal-Saving Emojis
Animal-Saving Emojis
WWF's Twitter Campaign to Save Endangered Animals Begins with a Retweet
Pizza Emoji Deliveries
Pizza Emoji Deliveries
Domino's is Allowing Customers to Order Pizza Using a Beloved Emoticon
Footwear Emoji Apps
Footwear Emoji Apps
The Foot Locker App Lets You Add 'Shoemojis' to Your Text Messages
Middle Finger Emojis
Middle Finger Emojis
Microsoft's Window 10 is the First to Offer the Expletive Hand Gesture
Fast Food Capsule Collections
Fast Food Capsule Collections
The McDonalds x Colette Collaboration Features Posters and Tote Bags
Introvert Emoji Apps
Introvert Emoji Apps
Intojis Share Complex Emotions Through Illustrated Icons
Pizza Payment Sharing
Pizza Payment Sharing
Papa John's PayShare Feature Allows Users to Split the Bill
Free Vending Machines
Free Vending Machines
Innovative Vending Solutions Encourages People to Tweet for Snacks
Mobile Food Payment Services
Mobile Food Payment Services
The OpenTable App Now Offers Wireless Payment for Android Users
Surge Menu Pricing
Surge Menu Pricing
The Restaurant Industry Considers Charging More During Peak Times
Blossoming Emoji Gardens
Blossoming Emoji Gardens
Miracle-Gro's Crowdsourced Digital Garden is Made of Floral Icons
Fantastical Fast Food Ads
Fantastical Fast Food Ads
The McDonalds Delivery Campaign Focuses on What People Love
Potato Chip Cookbooks
Potato Chip Cookbooks
The Lay's Wavy Brand and Brit + Co Are Teaming Up with Pinterest
Hunger Translator Apps
Hunger Translator Apps
This Domino's Pizza App Tells You Exactly What You're Craving
Happy Emoji Billboards
Happy Emoji Billboards
This Coca-Cola Marketing Stunt Shares Jovial Web Addresses
Emoji Purse Stamps
Emoji Purse Stamps
The Anya Hindmarch Stickers Add Emojis to Any Handbag, Phone or Wallet
Emoji-Laden Artwork
Emoji-Laden Artwork
Petra Cortright Creates Digital Art Using a Variety of New and Old Emoticons
Affectional Emoji Apparel
Affectional Emoji Apparel
This Emoji Shirt Cries Tears of Joy
Complementary Coffee Promotions
Complementary Coffee Promotions
Chick-Fil-A is Offering Its Customers Free Coffee This February
SMS Lunch Services
SMS Lunch Services
Toronto's Gob is a Service That Lets You Order Lunch by Text Message
Promotional Restaurant Beacons
Promotional Restaurant Beacons
McDonald's Harnesses the Power of Piper for Targeted Marketing
Humorous Early Bird Campaigns
Humorous Early Bird Campaigns
This McDonalds Campaign Empathizes with Early Risers
GIF Keyboard Apps
GIF Keyboard Apps
Pixit's GIF Keyboard Suggests Comical GIFs in Real-Time
play_circle_filled Social Media Mug Campaigns
Social Media Mug Campaigns
Nescafe Gave Away 1,000 Red Mugs in the Most Creative Way Ever
Social Media Headwear
Social Media Headwear
O-Mighty's Emoji Bucket Hat References Cute Mobile Icons
Caffeinated Calligraphy Campaigns
Caffeinated Calligraphy Campaigns
This Coffee Campaign Matches Machines to Fit Your Personality
Pizza Assistant Commercials
Pizza Assistant Commercials
Domino's Pizza Commercial Shows 'Dom,' a Siri-Like Pizza Expert
Children's Calorie-Comparing Charts
Children's Calorie-Comparing Charts
BuzzFeed Contrasts Fast Food Kids' Meals Based on Calories
play_circle_filled Cup-Unlocking Campaigns
Cup-Unlocking Campaigns
This Campaign Challenged Fans to Free a Chained Up Nescafe Red Mug
Custom Couture Emojis
Custom Couture Emojis
Harper's Bazaar and Equipment Created these Emoji Emoticons for Fashion Week
Affordable Fast Food Accessories
Affordable Fast Food Accessories
Shop Jeen's Happy Meal Necklace is Inspired by Moschino
play_circle_filled Pop-Up Paper Coffee Mugs
Pop-Up Paper Coffee Mugs
Nescafe Equipped Newspapers with Two Cups to Start Conversations
play_circle_filled Connoisseur Coffee Comparisons
Connoisseur Coffee Comparisons
This Cheap Coffee Review Video Rates Brands Based on 5 Stars
Travel Coffee Packaging
Travel Coffee Packaging
This Nescafe Travel Coffee Concept Makes Coffee on the Go Easy
Lo-Fi Logo Apparel
Lo-Fi Logo Apparel
The Brainwash Tee from Shop Jeen Featurs the World's Most Recognized Logos
Fast Food Tattoos
Fast Food Tattoos
This Norwegian Teen Gets His McDonalds Receipt Tattooed on His Arm
Social Food Ordering Apps
Social Food Ordering Apps
The Popular Foursquare App Now Lets You Order Food From Anywhere
Pre-Planned Meal Pickup Apps
Pre-Planned Meal Pickup Apps
The 'Foodo' Food Ordering App Lets You Browse Menus and Pre-Order