Getting the attention of consumers is becoming harder than ever, which is why marketers are turning to contests -- in particular, creativity-based contests -- to engage their consumers and also create awareness. These creativity-based contests are a great way to market any product or brand since they not only bring attention to the campaign but create positive association by allowing a customer to exercise his or her creativity.
From filmmaking contests to those that ask customers to create their own packaging design for a newly launched product, these creativity-based contests run the gamut. Brands around the world are using them to entice and draw in both current fans and new customers, and the power of social media to allow customers to share their creations only stands to make these creativity-based contests even more effective. Check out this collection of creativity-based contests to see the different ways brands have used them in their campaigns.
37 Creativity-Based Contests
From Personalized Bubble Gum Branding to Designer Song Challenges:
Katherinev123 — Jan 29, 2012 — Marketing
36
Social Media Artvertising
Create Your Own Ad with the AmEx Canvas Contest
35
T-Shirt Social Sites
Buy Cool T-Shirts or Submit Your Own Designs at Loviu
34
Crowdsourced Model Casting
'I am Levi's' Instagram Campaign Searches for Next Star
33
Vibrant Contest Announcements
Fedrigoni Love Paper Used Design to their Advantage
32
Crowdsourcing Design Duos
Heineken Limited Edition Design Challenge Chooses Paired Concepts
31
iPhone Photo Competitions
The 'Creative Boost' iPhoneography Contest Lets You Show Your Skills
30
Creative Customizable Covers
The Huck #22 Edition Lets You be the Creative Director
29
Student Shoe Design Contests
Vans Custom Culture 2011 Lets Kids Display Talent Competitively
28
Artistic Cap Contests
The New Era XC Design Competition Promotes Alternative Hat Styles
27
Graffiti Stencil Contests (UPDATE)
The Blek le Rat HUGO Man Competition Winners Revealed
26
Customized Cap Contests
The New Era 'Introducing' Project Wants Your 59FIFTY Designs
25
Coffee Cup Contests
Enter the LATTEA Design Contest and Win Cash and a Coffee Machine
24
Ethical Design Competitions
The Wiki-Bike African Bicycle Design Contest is for Sustainability
23
Wobbly Sculpture Contests
The Jell-O Mold Competition Wants You to Keep Calm and Wobble On
22
Automaker Photo Contests
Win a Ford Fiesta by Entering the Fiestagram Campaign
21
Existential Art Contests
The DeviantArt Inception Comic Book Art Contest is Exciting
20
Superhero Charity Contests
Join the MASScanvas Challenge 5: Stane Lee for a Good Cause
19
Search Engine Creativity Challenges
Google Search Caption Contest Seeks Humor & Insight
18
Watch Design Competitions
'Swatch MTV Playground' is a Global Creative Community
17
Personalized Bubble Gum Branding
Orbit Spotlight Series Creates Customized Packages for Customers
16
Design Crowdsourcing
Brandsupply Focuses Solely on Local Design Talent
15
Crowdsourced Fast Food Films
McDonald's McBites Contest Encourages People to Create Mini Films
14
Animated Soft Drink Ads
Jerome Masi & Gaetan Boutet Films the Whimsical 'Be Coke' Video
13
Vintage Design Challenges
ModCloth 'Make the Cut' Contest Seeks Talented Fashion Designers
12
Brew Brand Art Contests
Heineken Art Competition Celebrates Black History Month
11
Couture-Styling Contests
Win Clothes For SS11 with the Shopping Forecast
10
Global Technology Challenges
Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 Helps World Solve Toughest Problems
9
Drink-Creating Challenges
Make Your Own Drink With VITAMINWATER Enhanced Water 'Flavour Creator'
8
Interactive Music App Contests
Get Creative and Win Money on ‘HUGO Create: The Game'
7
Soft Drink Scholarships
Students Compete in Dr Pepper Million Dollar Tuition Giveaway
6
Designer Song Challenges
Dolce & Gabbana Music Video Contest Asks Fans to Dance and Sing
5
Social Costume Contests
Toshiba 'Put Your Face On Toshiba Vision' Asks for Your Halloween Getup
4
Music Video Car Contests
Toyota 'Outsmart Shout Out' Campaign Creates a Pop Video for Fans
3
Canned Fast Food Castles
The Canned White Castle Sculpture Brings Holiday Cheer to Hungry Families
2
Wish-Granting Greetings
Clinton Cards Will Make a Customer's Holiday Wish Come True
1
Browser Film Contests
Mozilla 'Firefox Flicks' Competition Asks You to Tell a Story
Related Ideas
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Cheeky Sports Event Sweepstakes
TUMS Launches Super Bowl-Inspired Sweepstakes Called the Burn Ball
Swedish Candy Pop-Ups
BUBS' Sweeteasy Brings Indulgent Candy Traditions to US Consumers
Candy-Inspired Sodas
Candy Lips Recreates Childhood Flavors Without Artificial Sweeteners
Playful Cosmetic Collections
The Clinique x Crayola Collaboration Makes Makeup Feel Fun Again
Wellness Brand Experiences
Pilates and Influencer Events Are Shaping Lifestyle Marketing in Peru
Fan-Created Menu Items
Creative Customer Orders Inspired the Taco Bell Fan Style Menu
Ice Cream Beauty Pop-Ups
MERIT x Ruru Baked Hosted a Thematic Ice Cream Activation in Toronto
Nutrition-Forward Treat Shop Pop-Ups
Bloom Nutrition Hosted the Very Successful Treat Shoppe
Sensorial Candy-Inspired Cosmetics
Swedish Candy Culture Inspired the H&M Beauty and BUBS Collab
Experiential fragrance
CPL Aromas Creates Interactive Scent Worlds for Emotional Engagement
Next-Gen Jelly Bean Campaigns
Jelly Belly Bean Appétit Entices a New Generation of Fans
Scent Spritz Billboards
goodwipes' Scentsational Summer Billboard Releases Scent Every 30 Seconds
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Designer Food Collaborations
Biscuiteers and Olivia Rubin Launch Collectible Biscuit Gifts
Fashion-Inspired Food Marketing
Magnum Blends Beauty, Music and Luxury Culture into Its Brand
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Performance-Boosting Creatine Sodas
Joyburst Creatine Soda Has No Sugar or Calories
Gen Z-Themed Soda Campaigns
Pepsi Relation-Sips Showcase Small Gestures This Valentine's Day
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Globalized Tournament Campaigns
Coca-Cola Debuts 'Uncanned Emotions' for the 2026 World Cup
Licensed Flavor Collaborations
Conagra Blends Celebrity and Brand Partnerships Into Snacks
Clinical K-Beauty Pop-Ups
Rejuran Debuts Science-Led Skincare Through a Sephora LA Activation
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Creator-Driven Product Discovery Tools
Hummingbirds Debuts Its Latest Service Feature — Offers
Industrial-Inspired Brand Events
Reitmans Reimagined its Distribution Centre for a Curated Event
Foggy Self-Care Billboards
eos' Windows of Self-Care Let Passersby Interact with Unique Personas
Consumer-Focused Packaging Strategies
Hershey's Unveils Elevated Packaging at Sweets & Snacks Expo
Beer Brand Nature Campaigns
Corona Launched Its Living Is Calling With a Tripadvisor Partnership
Festival Beauty Activations
Medicube Brings Skincare Tech and Experiences to Coachella
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
Absurd Gummy Ads
Skittles Gummies' "Uncomfortably Soft" Ads Were Shot Without AI and CGI
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Cocktail-Branded Spooky Sweepstakes
Cutwater Runs the 'Real Spirits Inside' Halloween Campaign
Personal Care-Focused Olympic Initiatives
Procter & Gamble Hosts the Champions Clubhouse
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Collectible Fandom Packaging
Spider-Man-Themed Takis Bags Turn Snacks into Fan Collectibles
Musical Soccer-Themed Campaigns
EXTRA® Gum Debts the Hotshot (Extra Time) with Izzy Escobar
CPG-Focused Innovation Launchpads
Albertsons Companies is Running Its Innovation Launchpad
Gamified Sports Rewards
Mountain Dew Links MLB Home Runs to Real-Time Free Drink Rewards
Nostalgic Summer Snacks
Entenmann's Launches Childhood-Inspired Seasonal Treats
Gamified Snack Packaging
Hershey’s Released Pokémon Chocolates with 151 Collectible Foil Designs
Burger Ad Campaigns
Burger King’s New Campaign Suggests Even Babies Can’t Resist the Whopper
Imaginative Pool Concept Sweepstakes
Airheads' Launches the 'Imagine the ImPOOLsible' Sweepstakes
Body Care Rebranding Initiatives
Tree Hut Embraces the Sentiment of 'Uncontain Yourself'
Gourmand Beauty Products
Cake Beauty Brings Dessert-Inspired Haircare to Mass Retail
Branded Packaging Solutions
Custom Packaging Enhances Product Presentation And Brand Identity
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
Production-Led Live Commerce Events
P.Louise Launches Get Unteddy With Me on TikTok Shop
Nostalgic Candy Beverages
Candy Can and Bubblicious Launch a Bubble Gum-Flavored Soda
Culture-Driven Product Launches
Church’s Texas Chicken launches Churchie Sauce with a local event
Entrepreneurial Pitch Competitions
ASICS Ventures Introduces Knzen to Support Businesses
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Organized Fridge Contests
IKEA Canada's Fridge Refresh Contest Simplifies Food Storage
Divergent Chewing Gum Campaigns
Trident's TriDifferent Inspired Gen Z to Break Away from Sameness
Tuna-Focused Film Festivals
The Tuna Cans Film Festival Shares How People Enjoy Bumble Bee Tuna
Game-Themed Sour Candy Products
The Face Twisters Sour Candy Challenge Features Five Levels
Curated Candy Kits
Clever Candy Candy Kits Share Themed Assortments Like Grandma's Purse Candy
Customer Collaboration Hubs
Rise Baking Opens a Commercial and R&D Center in Atlanta
Bubble Wrap Billboards
Tombola's Interactive Billboards Engage Passersby with a Sensory Activity
AI-Powered Creative Governance Tools
Bayer Adopts CreativeX Brand Intelligence
Branded Character Ranking Contests
Sanrio Has Launched Its 2026 Character Ranking Contest
Community-Powered Social Media Competitions
Palmstreet Has Introduced the Palmie's Choice Awards
Athletic Event-Timed Tech Campaigns
TCL Ran a Comprehensive Ad Campaign During the Olympics
Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns
Lunchtime Becomes a Joyous Time in 'The Lunchables Effect'
Celebratory Ice Cream Contests
Hudsonville Ice Cream Runs the Ultimate Ice Cream Fan Contest
Cultural Heritage Beauty Branding
KATE Blends Kabuki Artistry with Shadow-Enhancing Makeup
Signature Food Giveaways
Craveworthy Brands' Bet on the Bite Shares Free, Fan-Fave Menu Items
Early-Stage Global Innovation Competitions
Red Bull Basement 2026 is Accepting Applications
Creativity-Celebrating Social Media Awards
The Instagram Rings Award Honors Exemplary Creators
Reimagined Creative Campaigns
Marc Jacobs Dropped its '26 Summer Campaign and New Visual Identity
Culinary Tradition Food Campaigns
The Merchant Gourmet 'Yes Chef!' Campaign is Running Now
Interactive Traveling Marketing Initiatives
Heinz Pllayfully Spotlights the Heinz Ketchup Zero
Drop-Culture Sport Campaigns
Easton and Dick's Launched Its Limited Edition Equipment Drop
Senior Creative Teams
Tosti Creative Put Out a Call for Senior Creatives Aged 70 and Older
Parent-Centered Baby Contests
Gerber's 2026 Photo Search Celebrates the Whole Family
Brand-Creator Matchmaking Events
Dhar Mann Studios & Brand Innovators Hosted a Speed Dating Event
Playful Hide-And-Seek Holiday Campaigns
Chaumet's Holiday 2025 Campaign Film is Whimsical
Empowering Cosmetic Campaigns
The Revlon Be Unforgettable Campaign Reinterprets a Brand Tagline
Hometown Athlete Branding
Hershey’s Released Limited-Edition Chocolate Bars for Christian Pulisic
Verified Creator Commerce
Hummingbirds Connects Creator Campaigns to In-Store Purchases
Collaborative Packaging Development
UNITED CAPS Launches Live Packaging Co-Creation Sessions
Sports-Inspired Beverage Collaborations
Kung Fu Tea and Red Bull Launch Soccer-Themed Bubble Tea
Playful Childhood-Inspired Promotions
Circle K Has Launched Its Rock, Paper, Prizes Promotion
Soccer-Focused Official Snack Campaigns
Lay’s Ran the Lay’s Fan of the Match Opportunity
In-Person Creativity Cafe Campaigns
The Made in Starbucks Campaign Spotlights Customer Creativity
Snack Bar-Promoting Experiential Campaigns
Einstein Energy Super Snack Bars Ran a Campaign at SXSW
Sports Lifestyle Retail
Nordstrom Blends World Cup Fashion with Immersive Pop-Ups
Mother's Day Dessert Contests
Nothing Bundt Cakes' #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes is Running Now
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Creativity Self-Assessments
Crayola Creative Styles Helps People Understand Themselves & Others
Experiential Loyalty Programs
Lowe's and Live Nation Reward Members with Concert Perks
Accessible Design Campaigns
Canva's Really, Really Good Design Transformed a Sandwich Business
Menu Discovery Challenges
Original ChopShop's Feel Good Foodie Challenge Rewards Menu Exploration
Participatory Brand Platforms
Crown Royal Builds a Community-Driven Cultural Platform
Destination-Branded Transportation
Themed Taxis Promote Scottish Travel During Major Soccer Events
Crowdsourced Donut Contests
Tim Hortons' Battle of the Donuts Asks for Creative Fan Ideas
Bi-Coastal Cannabis Competitions
MJBizCon & Budist Launch the MJBowl — a First-Of-Its Kind Event
Interactive Game Advertisements
Samsung Ads GameBreaks Encourage Deeper Engagement
Gamified Discount Events
Build-A-Bear Uses Mystery Offers to Drive Engagement
Wrestler-Inspired Lollipop Ads
Chupa Chups Promoted a Packaging Update with a Lucha Libre Campaign
World Cup Gaming Contests
Splash Sports Launched Its $3M World Cup Survivor Contest
Festival Season Refreshment Campaigns
The Capri-Sun Festival Feeling Campaign is Running in the UK
Immersive DIY Events
DIY CON Brings Hands-On Workshops and Creator-Led Experiences
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Seasonal Value Campaigns
Huey Magoo's Combines Value Meals with Collectible Cups
Consumer-Created Candy Collections
The CandyKing CoLab Takes the Feedback of Fans into Account
Social-to-Outdoor Campaigns
Tribesigns Extends TikTok's Super Wish Campaign to Times Square
Richness-Indicating Popcorn Branding
The Pop Secret Butter Meter Helps Shoppers Make Decisions
Interactive Streaming Ads
Spotify Turns Listening into Engagement with Carousel Ads
Mobile Creator Experiences
Nikon Connects Creators Through Interactive Multi-City Events
Personalized Present Campaigns
The Wonderbly Everyone’s Got Favourites Campaign is Rolling Out Now
Retail Beverage Experiences
The Paper Store Uses Custom Drink Stations to Boost Engagement
Nostalgic Dessert Mashups
Wendy’s Combines Cookie Dough and Brownie Batter in Frosty Treats
Entertainment-Driven Direct Mail
Valpak and Hallmark Turn Mailers into Movie Experiences
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
Creativity-Focused Global Ambassador Programs
Crayola Creativity Week Begins with an Announcement
Personalized Media Creation
TuneStory Creates Custom Songs & Videos For Meaningful, Personal Gifts
Children Story Creators
Conté Lets Kids Create, Share, And Print Magical Stories Easily
Data-Led Brand Creation
AS Watson Builds Brands Using Shopper Insights and Loyalty Data
Music Festival Refreshment Campaigns
This Lipton Summer Campaign Offers VIP Festival Experiences
Halloween Season Candy Campaigns
World Business Chicago is Promoting Chicago-Based Candy
Superstitious Soccer Campaigns
Sedano's Supermarkets Launched Where Superstitions Are Born
Marketing Jargon Games
Marketing Bingo Turns Buzzwords Into A Fun Client Meeting Game
Cultural Trivia Games
Culture King Turns Cultural Knowledge Into Fast-Paced Competition
Interactive Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Tessan Will Spotlight the 100 Travelers Campaign
Brandless Packaging Campaigns
McDonald’s Tested a Name-Free 'Famous Order' Promotion
Cheeky Prom-Inspired Contests
Duck Brand Hosts Its Annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Logo-Based Health Campaigns
NHS Blood and Transplant Launches Logo Campaign for Blood Donations
Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives
7-Eleven Taps 27 Brands for Its 2026 Brands with Heart™
Brand Recognition Games
Product Guesser Tests Brand Recognition Through Interactive Play Tool
Global Creative Billboard Competition
Gymnation Launches ‘Your Ad. Our Billboard’ Competition
Community Fashion Events
Free People Hosts a Charitable Summer Gathering with Film and Activities
Purpose-Driven Brand Contests
Publicity for Good is Supporting Goodness with Its Contest
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform
Creative Protest Archives
Pocket Protests Showcases Global Creative Resistance Against Fascism
Creator Marketing Platforms
Affiliate Creatives Connects Businesses With Performance-Based Payouts