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
Summer Soda Brand Campaigns
Sprite 'Turns Up the Refreshment' With its Immersive Campaign
Content Creator Development Programs
Sunwing Vacations Debuts Canada's Next Top Creators
Candy-Inspired Sodas
Candy Lips Recreates Childhood Flavors Without Artificial Sweeteners
Sensorial Candy-Inspired Cosmetics
Swedish Candy Culture Inspired the H&M Beauty and BUBS Collab
Playful Cosmetic Collections
The Clinique x Crayola Collaboration Makes Makeup Feel Fun Again
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
Star-Backed Alcohol Campaigns
This Dom Pérignon Campaign Unites Creators in an Artistic Tribute
Fan-Created Menu Items
Creative Customer Orders Inspired the Taco Bell Fan Style Menu
Playful Creative Design Billboards
Canva Unveils 3D Billboards to Spotlight its Capabilities
Nutrition-Forward Treat Shop Pop-Ups
Bloom Nutrition Hosted the Very Successful Treat Shoppe
Giant Custom Inflatables
Creatable Inflatables Designs Eye-Catching Structures for Brand Exposure
Major Fan-Centric Candy Campaigns
Skittles Debuts the Playful Skittles Obsessed Initiative
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Next-Gen Jelly Bean Campaigns
Jelly Belly Bean Appétit Entices a New Generation of Fans
Performance-Boosting Creatine Sodas
Joyburst Creatine Soda Has No Sugar or Calories
Immersive K-Beauty Pop-Ups
TIRTIR Brings Jeju Matcha Skincare to NYC with a Sensory Experience
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
Customizable Triple-Texture Candies
Gummi Popz Target Tweens and Teens
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Clinical K-Beauty Pop-Ups
Rejuran Debuts Science-Led Skincare Through a Sephora LA Activation
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
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
Experiential Marketing Campaigns
MIKE AND IKE, HOT TAMALES, and Marvel Team Up for Campus Tour
Home-Centric Beauty Campaigns
Sally Beauty Debuts the Holiday Beauty at Home Campaign
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Cocktail-Branded Spooky Sweepstakes
Cutwater Runs the 'Real Spirits Inside' Halloween Campaign
Window-Fashion Design Brand Celebrations
TWOPAGES Curtains Hosted a Special Brand Day
Bubble Gum-Flavored Beverages
Candy Can Created a New Bubble Gum Flavor with Bubblicious
Health-Focused Interactive Pop-Ups
Ancient + Brave Ran the Live Bravely Pop-Up in California
Gen Z Soda Campaigns
Enjoy the Moment with a Coca‑Cola Targets a Generation That Wants to Unplug
Personal Care-Focused Olympic Initiatives
Procter & Gamble Hosts the Champions Clubhouse
Wellness Brand Experiences
Pilates and Influencer Events Are Shaping Lifestyle Marketing in Peru
Festival Beauty Activations
Medicube Brings Skincare Tech and Experiences to Coachella
Tattoo-Based Soda Sweepstakes
Mountain Dew Launches a Las Vegas Giveaway for Inked Fans
Fan-Powered Reality Competitions
Little Caesars' Pretzel Crust Island Engages YouTube Viewers
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Sensorial Soda Campaigns
Sprite's 'Hurts Real Good With Sprite' Targets Gen Z
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
Musician-Led Beverage Campaigns
poppi Tapped Charli xcx and Rachel Sennott for the Super Bowl
Lager Popsicle Initiatives
Beer is Art Taps the Lager Popsicle Concept in Its Campaign
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Humorous Mother's Day Campaigns
bubly Addresses Mother’s Day Mishaps with the 'Gift Glow Up Shop'
Burger Ad Campaigns
Burger King’s New Campaign Suggests Even Babies Can’t Resist the Whopper
Body Care Rebranding Initiatives
Tree Hut Embraces the Sentiment of 'Uncontain Yourself'
Flea-Market-Inspired Brand Experiences
CASEKOO Hosted a DIY Experience in Beijing
Gourmand Beauty Products
Cake Beauty Brings Dessert-Inspired Haircare to Mass Retail
Brand-Creator Matchmaking Events
Dhar Mann Studios & Brand Innovators Hosted a Speed Dating Event
Branded Packaging Solutions
Custom Packaging Enhances Product Presentation And Brand Identity
Production-Led Live Commerce Events
P.Louise Launches Get Unteddy With Me on TikTok Shop
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
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
Nostalgic Candy Beverages
Candy Can and Bubblicious Launch a Bubble Gum-Flavored Soda
Ice Cream Popsicle Campaigns
Häagen Dazs’ Devoured Campaign Sparks Craving Through Absence
Mom-Focused Mobile Game Events
Avia Debuts a First-Of-Its-Kind Mom's Week in Solitaire Clash
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
Social Responsibility-Aligned Corporate Marketing
GoodBrand Impact is a Newly Launched Agency
Caveman-Centric Running Campaigns
Craft Sportswear's Brand Film Channels the Primal Joy of Running
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
AI Music Contests
Reply's Contest is a Significant Intersection of Technology and Creative Arts
Creativity-Celebrating Social Media Awards
The Instagram Rings Award Honors Exemplary Creators
Early-Stage Global Innovation Competitions
Red Bull Basement 2026 is Accepting Applications
Literary Frozen Yogurt Promotions
The Pinkberry Summer Crush Sweepstakes is Launching Now
Interactive Traveling Marketing Initiatives
Heinz Pllayfully Spotlights the Heinz Ketchup Zero
Culinary Tradition Food Campaigns
The Merchant Gourmet 'Yes Chef!' Campaign is Running Now
Canadian Fan-Based Campaigns
Molson Launches its 'Performance Enhancing Canadians' Initiative
Parent-Centered Baby Contests
Gerber's 2026 Photo Search Celebrates the Whole Family
Senior Creative Teams
Tosti Creative Put Out a Call for Senior Creatives Aged 70 and Older
Drop-Culture Sport Campaigns
Easton and Dick's Launched Its Limited Edition Equipment Drop
Beach-Themed Beer Promotions
This Corona Promotion Marks the Brand's 100th Anniversary
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
Skincare Brand Grant Programs
Bubble Skincare Launches its 'Face The Future' Initiative
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
Mother's Day Dessert Contests
Nothing Bundt Cakes' #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes is Running Now
Collaboration Candy Brand Cakes
Squashies Drumstick Celebration Cake is Arriving at Tesco
Gen Z Dorm Makeovers
Urban Outfitters Launched the Dream Dorm Makeover Contest with HGTV
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Gum Brand Activations
EXCEL® Gum Gets a Bold Refresh with Concert Activations to Match
Creativity Self-Assessments
Crayola Creative Styles Helps People Understand Themselves & Others
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
Playful Interactive Donut Contests
Tim Hortons Debuts the Battle of the Donuts in Canada
Festival Season Refreshment Campaigns
The Capri-Sun Festival Feeling Campaign is Running in the UK
Bi-Coastal Cannabis Competitions
MJBizCon & Budist Launch the MJBowl — a First-Of-Its Kind Event
Interactive Game Advertisements
Samsung Ads GameBreaks Encourage Deeper Engagement
Luxurious Nominee Gift Bags
Distinctive Assets is Spotlighting Its 'Everyone Wins' Gift Bags
Vibrant Creativity Campaigns
Crayola Debuts its 'Creative Acts of Color' Initiative
Social Gathering-Focused Cognac Campaigns
Courvoisier Launches Bring Your Own Courvoisier (#BYOCV)
Wrestler-Inspired Lollipop Ads
Chupa Chups Promoted a Packaging Update with a Lucha Libre Campaign
Hair Salon-Powered Sports Campaigns
Great Clips Ties Its Latest Campaign to the Stanley Cup
Clinical Retail Media
PatientPoint Bridges Healthcare and Commerce
AI Creator-Centric Campaigns
The Spirit of London Campaign by Beefeater Embraces the City's Energy
Festival-Themed Retail Snack Campaigns
Kellanova Announced Flavour Fest ’25 in the UK
Cheeky Wrap-Focused Campaigns
Jimmy John's Introduced the Wrap Exchange
Purpose-Driven Brand Storytelling Platforms
Hellonation Has Debuted Its Edvertising Model
Consumer-Created Candy Collections
The CandyKing CoLab Takes the Feedback of Fans into Account
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
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Nostalgic Dessert Mashups
Wendy’s Combines Cookie Dough and Brownie Batter in Frosty Treats
Personalized Present Campaigns
The Wonderbly Everyone’s Got Favourites Campaign is Rolling Out Now
Asian Film-Themed Promotions
Crocs Launches a Media-Themed Monsoon Campaign in Southeast Asia
Engagement Popup Builders
CookUp Creates Custom Popups To Make Your Product Impossible To Ignore
Generational Wellness Campaigns
Sports Research Evolved Its Marketing into a Cultural Movement
Frozen Beverage-Focused Promotions
Circle K Has Relaunched Its Popular Froster for a Year Contest
Performance-Based Creator Platforms
Picsart Earn Program Pays Creators Based on Engagement
Automated Design Creation
CreateMyBanner Uses AI to Generate Custom Social Media Banners
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
Halloween Season Candy Campaigns
World Business Chicago is Promoting Chicago-Based Candy
Interactive Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Tessan Will Spotlight the 100 Travelers Campaign
Cultural Trivia Games
Culture King Turns Cultural Knowledge Into Fast-Paced Competition
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
Recycling-Focused Travel Campaigns
Coca-Cola and Merlin Entertainments Partnered for a Promotion
Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives
7-Eleven Taps 27 Brands for Its 2026 Brands with Heart™
Children-Focused Design Contests
RuffleButts Has Launched Its Annual Little Artists Design Contest
Brand Recognition Games
Product Guesser Tests Brand Recognition Through Interactive Play Tool
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