From Instagram-dedicated photo pits at fashion week to cult favorite facial cleansers inspired by Instagram comments, the latest Instagram innovations highlight the ways in which brands are leveraging the platform to generate organic buzz, despite ever-increasing saturation within the lifestyle blogging medium.
Sonic Drive-In ran an experiential campaign at both Coachella 2016 weekends that let attendees order specially designed "square" milkshakes on Instagram. The user was able to have their milkshake delivered at the event and was aimed at promoting the brand's new premium milkshake menu.
Additionally, the omnipresence of the image-sharing platform can be seen influencing traditional mediums such as print advertising with campaigns, like the TV spot for Menlook that opted to create square-shaped visuals. The Instagram-inspired campaign featured popular users from the platform like Romain Costa, Quyen Mike and Tarek Q.
35 Instagram Innovations
From Instagram-Shoppable Milkshakes to Fashion Influencer Photo Pits:
Rebecca Byers — May 6, 2016 — Tech
35
Graphic Design Cookies
Holly Fox Transforms Her Digital Designs into Edible Artwork
34
Modeling Doll Campaigns
This Campaign Features a Doll of Derek Zoolander and Barbie on Instagram
33
Narrative Experiential Tv Campaigns
This Mr Robot Campaign Sent Fans Hunting for Hidden Cash Drops
32
Top Model Lipstick Collections
The Joan Smalls Lipstick Line for Estee Lauder Includes 12 Shades
31
Custom Dessert Campaigns
Talenti Uses Social Media to Match People to Favorite Ice Cream Flavors
30
Social Shopping Pop-Ups
Tanger Outlets Celebrates Its New Location with Fun Pop-Up Stations
29
Social Media Vending Machines
IHeartRadio's Kiosk Turns Instagram Posts into Free Merchandise
28
Robotic Dating App Stunts
This SXSW Tinder Marketing Stunt Used a Hot Robot to Promote Ex Machina
27
Fashion Influencer Photo Pits
Cadillac Fairview's CF Style Instapit Catered to Bloggers
26
Social Media Travel Guides
The Sherpa App Converts Instagram Accounts into Visual Travel Platforms
25
Athletic Instagrammer Editorials
Stylecaster Profiles Kayla Itsines and Her Athletic Style
24
Hater-Referencing Tour Tees
The Beyoncé Formation Tour Merchandise Calls Out Her Nay-Sayers
23
Interconnected Instagram Videos
Jägermeister's 'Insta-Hack' Plays with Videos on Instagram
22
Instagram-Shoppable Milkshakes
Sonic Will Serve Square Shakes Sold Through IG at Coachella
21
Custom Social Photo Algorithms
This New Instagram Update Could Change the Way Users Post Forever
20
Emoji Analysis Campaigns
Old Navy's Emoodji Reveals Insights Based on Popular Emoji Use
19
Social Media Magazines
Ballantine has Launched an Interactive Whiskey Magazine on Instagram
18
Digital-First Makeup Campaigns
The Makeup Brand NYX Infuses Crowd Sourcing into its Campaigns
17
Instagram-Inspired TV Ads
This TV Advertisement from Menlook is Constructed of Instagram Photos
16
Social Media Billboards
The First-Ever Instagram Advertising Campaign is Launching in France
15
Crowdsourced Beauty Cleansers
Glossier's New Gel Cleanser Was Developed with Help from Fans
14
Rooftop Instagram Stunts
This Nordstrom Instagram Campaign Takes Marketing to New Heights
13
Automated Social Marketing Tools
'Gram Growth' Streamlines Instagram Marketing for Fast Growth
12
Monochromatic Photo-Sharing Platforms
A Black and White Instagram Design is Currently Being Tested
11
Restructuring Social Media Platforms
Instagram Feeds are Changing to Focus More on Relevance
10
Recycled Photo-Sharing Features
The New Instagram Reshare Feature Lets Users Post Others' Content
9
In-App Escape Rooms
The TFSS Instagram Account Hosts an Interactive Escape Room Experience
8
Social Gen Z Platforms
Yoursphere is Customizable Social Media App for Tweens
7
Social Music Mixers
Miller Genuine Draft Created 'RemixGram' to Help Fans Make Music on Instagram
6
Animated Travel Campaigns
Eurostar is Using Creative Instagram Posts to Drive Engagement
5
Quirky Bee Campaigns
This 'Bring Back the Bees' Campaign Removes the Letter "B" on Social Media
4
Future-Focused Social Media Apps
The 'Willy' App Stores Posts and Shares Them in the Future
3
Heart-Sharing Campaigns
Dawca.pl's Health Social Media Campaign Encourages Users to Share Likes
2
Competitor-Tracking Apps
This Unmetric App Allows Brands to Set Up Social Media Tracking
1
Filmic Adventure Campaigns
TSFF's Instagram Lets Users Direct Their Own Story in Silent Film
Related Ideas
Galaxy Cake Recipes
Heather Baird's Black Velvet Cake Has a Nebula Theme That's Out of This World
All-In-One Fitness Equipment
The 'Move It' Device Helps Consumers Exercise at Home
A Day in Hong Kong With Kevin Poon
Entrepreneur Kevin Poon Takes an Inspiring Drive with Infiniti
Celebrity-Designed Activewear
'Ivy Park' is a New Athleisure Line Designed by Beyoncé
Rebellious Formal Wear
The Dior Homme 'Black Carpet' Collection Aims to Rework the Classic Suit
Alien Planet-Like Photography
Celestial Series by David Brodeur Appears to Embrace a Candy Land
Vibrant Cat Hairstyles
This Russian Instagram User Transforms Her Tresses With 3D Hair Tattoos
Colorful Internationally Inspired Lookbooks
AWAYTOMARS' Images Were Shot by Gleeson Paulino
Colorful Rainbow Coffees
This Barista Uses Food Coloring to Make Rainbow-Colored Coffee
Snapchat Sex Ed Shows
MTV's First Snapchat Show is a Sex Ed Series Called 'Pants Off'
Calorie-Revealing Snack Redesigns
The 'Calorie Brands' Edits Foods to Show its Nutritional Content
Immersive Sleep-Inspired Pop-Ups
The Dream Machine is New York's Latest Immersive Experience
Decaying Social Media Art
The 'Social Decay' Series Depicts Crumbling Social Media Logos
Social Media Sneaker Campaigns
This Adidas Promotion Campaign Uses Snapchat to Drive Sales
Modeling Doll Campaigns
This Campaign Features a Doll of Derek Zoolander and Barbie on Instagram
Narrative Experiential Tv Campaigns
This Mr Robot Campaign Sent Fans Hunting for Hidden Cash Drops
Hip-Hop Embroidery Art
Etsy's YesStitchYes Celebrates Famous Lyrics With Traditional Decor
VR Painting Experiences
McDonald's Helps Fans Unleash Their Inner Artist with VR Art at SXSW
Confrontational Digital Media Signs
Mike Campau's Series 'Anti-Social' is a Look at Social Media
Suspended Floral Gardens
Rebecca Louise Law's Bikini Berlin Installation is Striking and Sensory
Socially Inspired Recipes
Knorr's 'Eat Your Feed' Matches Meals to One's Instagram Posts
French Designer Fashion Exhibits
Toronto's ROM is Hosting the Christian Dior Exhibit
Donut-Shaped Sushi
This Vegan Chef Creates Intricate and Colorful Sushi Donuts
Fashion Influencer Photo Pits
Cadillac Fairview's CF Style Instapit Catered to Bloggers
Sci-Fi Helmet Hairstyles
The Boba Fett Hair by Anya Goy Wins an Instagram Contest
Social Media Travel Guides
The Sherpa App Converts Instagram Accounts into Visual Travel Platforms
Giant Topiary Dinosaur Stunts
Margarine Brand Flora Recently Toured a 13-Foot Diplodocus
Eclectic Fashionista Furniture
Iris Apfel Created the 'Rara Avis' Furniture Collection for HSN
Curated Picnic Baskets
These Picnic Hampers are Designed After Instagram's Filters
Layered Denim Trousers
Demi-Denims by Ksenia Schnaider Introduce a New Denim Combo
Special Effect Selfie Apps
LINE's 'egg - Action Selfie Cam' Enhances Photos with Masks and Effects
All-Natural Lipstick Art Exhibitions
The Burt's Bees Shades Gallery is Now Open in Toronto
Previewing Tattoo Platforms
The Ink Hunter Utilizes Digital Augmented Reality to Pre-Test Designs
Disney Movie Makeup Lines
Ubran Decay Creates an 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' Collection
Multi-Character Snapchat Lenses
The 20th Century Fox Snapchat Ads Let Users Picks from Nine X-Men
Hater-Referencing Tour Tees
The Beyoncé Formation Tour Merchandise Calls Out Her Nay-Sayers
Breakup Quote Desserts
Isabella Giancarlo Turns Romantic Endings Into Lyrical Baked Goods
Interconnected Instagram Videos
Jägermeister's 'Insta-Hack' Plays with Videos on Instagram
Snapchat Rewards Program Filters
Hospitality Group Starwood Has Launched a Series of Geofilters
Image-Based Israeli Cooking Apps
The Look & Cook App Highlights Recipes by Meir Adoni
Instagram-Shoppable Milkshakes
Sonic Will Serve Square Shakes Sold Through IG at Coachella
Canine-Edited Photography
Olivia Lazer Edits the Face of Her Shiba Inu into Iconic Scenes
Immediate Shopping Apps
Project September Allows Shoppers to Click an Image to Buy
Willow Bark Facial Cleansers
This Anti-Blemish Purifying Gel is a Product of Burt's Bees
Social Media Knapsacks
This Snapchat Novelty Backpack is Shaped to Resemble the App's Ghost Mascot
Content Contest Apps
Social Media Gaming Platform Wyrd Lets Users Vote for Creators' Posts
Pool Float Donuts
This Flamingo and Unicorn Donut Recipe is Inspired by Fun Flotation Devices
Social Video Mashup Apps
The 'YuVie' Social Video App Infuses You into Popular Media
Beauty Brand Makeup Lenses
L'Oreal Ran a Sponsored Snapchat Lens That Applied Eyeliner to Users
Video Game Anniversary Stunts
An Army of Pikachus Took Over NYC for the Pokemon 20th Anniversary
Emoji URL Shorteners
'Emoticode' Creates Shortened Emoji-Based URL "Links in a Snap"
Custom Social Photo Algorithms
This New Instagram Update Could Change the Way Users Post Forever
Body Positive Bikini Campaigns
The '#nofomo' Campaign Encourages Women to Embrace Their Body
Frothy Mousse Snacks
This Giant Caplico Snack Boasts a Light Air-Filled Interior
Model-Designed Fashion Lines
The 'Rouje' Clothing Line is Designed by Model Jeanne Damas
Social Media-Streaming SIMs
Vodafone's Voxi SIMs Offer Free Streaming for Certain Social Media
Tokyo-Celebrating Merino Wool Sweaters
Raf Simons and the Woolmark Company Launched a New Design
Lyrical Macaron Treats
These Homemade Birthday Cake Macarons are Improved with Drake Lyrics
Collaborative Cookie Brand Fashion
Madewell and Milk Bar Created a Stylish Four-Piece Collection
Nostalgic Vegan Ice Creams
NadaMoo! Creamery Recreates Cult Flavors With Dairy-Free Ingredients
Colorful Branded Knit Beanies
The Adidas Originals Knit Beanie is Both Warm and Stylish
Face-Painting Photo Filters
Facebook's Photo Overlay Tool Helps Fans Celebrate a Soccer Tournament
Ecommerce Keyboard Apps
The iOS Keyboard App Bridges the Communication Gap Between Seller & Buyer
Digital-First Makeup Campaigns
The Makeup Brand NYX Infuses Crowd Sourcing into its Campaigns
360 Degree VR Platforms
The Splash Virtual Reality App Offers All-Encompassing Video Frames
Emotive Weather Filters
These Instagram Face Filters Use the Weather to Reflect One's Mood
Velour Track Suits
Kinetics and FILA Have Partnered for This Luxurious Track Suit
Messaging Services Schemes
Flipe Wants to Help the Messaging Expert Earn Money for Their Skills
Fashion Industry Conferences
BOF Voices is a Three-Day Event That Celebrates a Diversity of Ideas
Curly-Haired Latina Vloggers
The RisasRizos Blog Caters to Curly-Haired Latinas
Social Travel Ad Tools
Facebook is Helping Travel Advertisers with Its Trip Consideration Tool
Influencer-Connecting Brands
#Paid Pairs Social Media Creators with Brands for Sponsored Content
Design-Focused Sports Magazines
Franchise is an Artistic Sports Magazine for Millennials
Inclusive Celebrity Clothing Campaigns
The New Beyoncé Campaign Features Activist Jillian Mercado
Disconnected Social Media Apps
'Binky' is an Anti-Social Network That Connects You to No One
Dietary Takeout Apps
The FindMyMacros Lets Consumers Seek Out Eateries Based on Their Diets
Guilt-Free Cookie Branding
The Skinny Batches Boasts Real Ingredients For Healthy Indulgence
Submerged Easter Egg Stunts
The Latest Cadbury Stunt is an Installation at Loch Ness
Maternal Ice Cream Flavors
Baskin-Robbins' Mom's Makin' Cookies Ice Cream Celebrates Mother's Day
Fishy Chia Puddings
This Coconut Chia Pudding with Smoked Salmon is a Savory Take on the Superfood
Crowdsourced Food Delivery Apps
The Foodida App Allows Anyone to Execute Fast Food Deliveries
Content-Recognizing Filters
The New Snapchat Filters Could Open Up New Advertising Avenues
Social Media-Powered Website Builders
'Creaclick' Turns Instagram Content into Beautiful Sites
Edible Space Illustrations
The Wander Space Probe Features Images of the Universe Made from Food
Headphone-Embedded Hoodies
This Unique Hoodie
Organic Online Marketing Services
The 'InstaHeads' Marketing App Grows Instagram Accounts
Business Video Messengers
Upgreet for Gmail Lets Sales Professionals Send Personal Video Messages
Electric Automotive Tours
Tesla's 'Meet Model X' Brings the Car to 30 Locations in North America
Television-Inspired Carnival Stunts
The Mr Robot SXSW Pop-Up Featured a 100-Foot Ferris Wheel
Monochromatic Photo-Sharing Platforms
A Black and White Instagram Design is Currently Being Tested
Festive Milkshake Promotions
This Chain is Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Discount Shakes
Olympic Snapshot Campaigns
LA is Engaging Snapchat Users in a Bid for an Upcoming Summer Olympics
Photography Exploration Campaigns
This Sony Instagram Campaign Creates a Scene to "Zoom" Into
Silly Primate Chip Packaging
These Lay's Chip Packages Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Monkey
Puppetry Ice Cream Flavors
This Treat Remakes Sesame Children's Character into a Frozen Dessert
Sensory Photography Installations
This Kodak Moments Campaign Consists of Sentimental Imagery
Adventurous Sleeping Stunts
Icebreaker Marks Its New Store Launch with a Daring Publicity Stunt
Smartphone Grilling Campaigns
Burger King's 'Snap King' Has People Grill Burgers from Competitors
Travel Advice-Sharing Apps
The 'Roamer' App Lets You Share Your Fave Spots with Other Travelers
Restructuring Social Media Platforms
Instagram Feeds are Changing to Focus More on Relevance
Spanish-Language Beauty Vlogs
This Latina Beauty Blogger Post Videos in Both English and Spanish
Far-Reaching Social Media Apps
IFTTT is Able to Manage a Variety of Media-Related Services
Herbal Blemish Sticks
This Burt's Bees Blemish Stick is Formulated to Prevent Breakouts
Neighbor-Assigned Delivery Services
The eNeighbor App Lets Users Receive Other Neighbor's Packages
Social Media ID Systems
China is Testing an Electric ID System on the Social Platform WeChat
Authentic Social Media Apps
The 'Kiyo' App Encourages Users To Stop Curating a Social Image
Animated Travel Campaigns
Eurostar is Using Creative Instagram Posts to Drive Engagement
Quirky Bee Campaigns
This 'Bring Back the Bees' Campaign Removes the Letter "B" on Social Media
Video-Based Profiles
The Profile Expression Kit Lets Users Add Video to Their Facebook Profile
TV Show-Matchmaking Apps
The 'MightyTV' App Matches Users with Shows That Fit Their Interests
Free Patronage Plug-Ins
The Ko-fi Platform Helps Facilitate Donations from Fans to Creators
Nutty Co-Branded Milkshakes
f'real's Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake is Made with Reese's Chocolate
Future-Focused Social Media Apps
The 'Willy' App Stores Posts and Shares Them in the Future
Co-Branded Specialty Coffees
Dunkin' Donuts Flavored Iced Coffees Boast Familiar Cookie Flavors
Lox-Topped Pizzas
This Lox Bagel Pizza Recipe is a Dream Come True for New Yorkers and Salmon Fans
Profile-Protecting Services
The Social Media Moderation Tool is Powered by Artificial Intelligence
Collaborative Video Apps
The 'Wheel' App Allows Users to Create Themed Chains of Videos
Social Media Hashtag Updates
Users Can Now Include Clickable Hashtags on Their Instagram Bios
Relatable Latino Comedians
This Comedian Depicts What It is Like Growing Up Latino in America
Selfie-Remixing Messaging Features
Instagram Direct's Remix Tool Lets You Edit Your Friends' DMs
Burglary Awareness Apps
The 'GrabMe' App Reminds Homeowners to Use Social Media Safely
Chronic Illness-Tracking Platforms
'Flaredown' is a Platform for Visualizing Health Data
Social AR Development Apps
The Snapchat Lens Studio Allows Users to Create Their Own Lenses
Social Photo Management Apps
The 'Pifyc' Platform Enables Users to Manage Instagram Effectively
Photographic Pharmacy Apps
Jean Coutu Lets Patients Send Prescriptions to Their Doctor Via Photo
Gluten-Free Bakery Stunts
Loblaws Debuted Its Gluten-Free Range at a "Fake" Bakery in Montreal
Latina Blogger Partnerships
This Network Helps Latina Influencers Maximize Their Influence
Feminist Youth Conferences
Seattle's FemCon Endorses Female Empowerment Among Young Attendees