As seen in the top June 2015 interactive trends, the use of websites, vending machines, packaging, apps and emerging social media platforms are just a few of the ways brands are encouraging engagement.
Although in-store and online content prove to be popular ways to get at a consumer, brands are channeling their efforts into unconventional places for the ultimate surprise, delight and responses. For instance, Japan's Yaocho bar developed a series of beer coasters printed with a thermochemical ink, which spreads a harrowing message about domestic violence. An equally unexpected place to find an advertisement is within an ice sculpture, like the ones Brazil's Beneficência Portuguesa Hospital created to bring awareness to the importance of organ donations.
By setting up unusual advertisements in unexpected places, passionate consumers can't help but want to become part of the action or conversation sparked by a brand.
Top 40 Interactive Ideas in June
From Meaningful Activity Campaigns to Braille Drink Labels:
Laura McQuarrie — Jun 21, 2015 — Marketing
39
Multimedia Retail Displays
This Woolworths Shop has In-Store Video Walls and LED Displays
38
Interactive Baking Pages
A Creative Cake Website Lets Users Test Ingredients by Drag and Drop
37
Social Media Retail Campaigns
OnePiece's Hack the Price Hashtag Helps Reduce a Jumpsuit's Cost
36
Gaming Retail Windows
The Play Array Project Turns a Retail Storefronts into a Pop-Up Game
35
Social Currency Shops
The ooVootique Lets Social Media Influencers Trade ooVoo Friends for Merch
34
Ethical Vending Machines
Fashion Revolution's Experiment Tests the Allure of Cheap Fashion
33
Branded Trivia Apps
gameit's Multiple Choice Quizzes Offer Discounts for Winners
32
Virtual Reality Car Dealerships
The Audi VR Experience Serves as a Mobile Car Dealership
31
Intergalactic Hotel Experiences
Guests at this Hotel Can Sleep in Zero Gravity Environments
30
Livestreaming Fashion Channels
H&M Canada Takes to Periscope for Fashion Brand Marketing
29
Dating App Marketing Campaigns
Jason Derulo Recently Launched a New Video Through Tinder
28
Multi-Sensory Cognac Shops
Martell's Airport Spirits Store Promises an 'Art de Vivre' Experience
27
Child-Inspired Home Pranks
The Nissan With Dad Campaign Focuses on Making Family a Priority
26
Meaningful Activity Campaigns
Quaker Canada's Today List Campaign Questions What Matters Most
25
Auto Showroom Lounges
Club Aston in Los Angeles Serves Up Martinis to Customers
24
Mini Ice Cream Trucks
Wall's Ice Cream Truck Brings Sweet Treats & Huge Smiles to Office Employees
23
Melting Icy Coupons
McDonald's Limited Time Coupon Will Disappear in the Sun If Not Used Quickly
22
Female-Targeted Beer Ads
Uses a Facial Recognition Billboard to Market Beer for Women
21
Intimate Musician Videos
Spotify's Entertainment Marketing on Periscope Connects Fans & Music
20
Live Snowboarding Videos
Red Bull Uses Meerkat for Live Video Marketing of Its Double Pipe Finals
19
Social Media Candy Machines
Grey Istanbul's Vending Machines Imagine How Instagram Filters Taste
18
Sticky Web Ads
Post-It Transforms Annoying Web Advertisements into Useful Ones
17
Floating Beverage Stunts
Tim Horton's Drink Marketing Promotes a Higher Level of Deliciousness
16
Video Reaction Apps
The 'Gather' App Allows Users to Share Brief Video Reactions with Friends
15
Heroic Donut Deals
Krispy Kreme Offers Free Treats for National Superhero Day Nominations
14
Live Action Video Games
Ubisoft Sought Out Influential YouTubers to Experience the Far Cry 4 Game
13
Imaginative Cloud Campaigns
Pictionary's Frame in the Sky Inspires the Public to See Cloud Shapes
12
Java-Roasting Workshops
The Topeca Coffee Education & Training Lab Enlightens All Enthusiasts
11
Crawling Baby Competitions
Vileda's Cute Social Campaign Cleverly Promotes Its Hot Spray Mop
10
Anti-Violence Beer Coasters
This Tokyo Bar Designed Beer Coasters to Help Combat Domestic Violence
9
Literacy-Encouraging Kites
Stories in the Sky Uses Kites Printed with Stories to Entice Kids
8
Covert Campaigning
Laura McQuarrie Shares Her Favorite Examples of Secret Social Media Campaigns
7
Jetsetting Bar Stunts
KLM & Heineken Celebrate King's Day by Flying Bar Customers to Amsterdam
6
Food-Printing Pop-Ups
London's 3D Printshow Highlights This Disruptive Technology by Printing Food
5
Positivity Vending Machines
The Coke Tweet Machine Charges People Based on an Attitude Test
4
Braille Drink Labels
These Soft Drink Cans and Bottles are Printed with Braille
3
Driver-Rescuing Campaigns
MINI Turns Getting a Flat Tire on the Road into a Marketing Opportunity
2
Disability Awareness Stunts
Driver's School Chides Drivers Who Ignore Accessible Parking Spaces
1
Melting Organ Campaigns
These Melting Ice Sculptures Reveal Organs to Encourage New Donors
Related Ideas
The Dream Island Experience
Heineken Encourages You to “Don’t Let Your Dreams Die”
Mobile Bus Boutiques
The Kenzo Fashion Bus Offers Designer Style On the Go
Creating the Dream Island Experience
Trend Hunter Goes Behind the Scenes of #TheDreamIsland
The Rock Star Experience
Trend Hunter Chats with German about Heineken's Dream Island Experience
Password-Protected Bars
Bourbon & Branch is an Unmarked San Francisco Bar Serving Craft Cocktails
Bohemian Swimwear Campaigns
H&M's Latest Summer Ads Feature Recognizable Supermodels
Sultry Plus-Size Campaigns
The #ImNoAngel Lingerie Ads Assert That Full Figures are Seductive
Pop-Up Solar Tents
The Cinch Tent Uses Sunlight To Charge Your Gadgets
Theatrical Grocery Markets
Woolworths Food Embraces a Design That Shows Behind the Scenes Action
Crowning the Beer-Pouring Champ
The Heineken Global Bartender Final Spotlights the World's Best
Beer-Dispensing Billboards
Carlsberg's Free Beer Billboard Serves Samples on Tap
Grunge Normcore Editorials
F****** Young! Online's Latest Exclusive Highlights Topman Fashions
Cute Pun Illustrations (UPDATE)
Jaco Haasbroek Puts a Fun Twist on Common Phrases and Terms
Free Vending Machines
Innovative Vending Solutions Encourages People to Tweet for Snacks
Public Lounge Pop-Ups
This Pop-Up at NYC Design Brings Alexander Girard's Work to Life
Futuristic Electric Cars
The Audi R8 e-tron is a High-Performance Electric Beast
Eco Bulk Food Kiosks
This New Self-Service Refill System is Housed at London's Planet Organic
Hybrid Barbershop Cafes
Hurwundeki in London Serves Homemade Food and Affordable Haircuts
Clever Can Concealers
These Hide-a-Beer Sleeves Keep Your Outdoor Booze a Secret
Social Stylemaker Campaigns
Lord & Taylor Had 50 Fashion Influencers on Instagram Model a Dress
Virtual Vino Pop-Ups
This Virtual Wine Vending Machine Pop-Up is Inside a Subway Station
Brand Expansion Pop-Ups
Coco and Cowe Celebrates Launch of Online Shop with a Whimsical Pop-Up
Social Media Vending Machines
IHeartRadio's Kiosk Turns Instagram Posts into Free Merchandise
Social Media Retail Campaigns
OnePiece's Hack the Price Hashtag Helps Reduce a Jumpsuit's Cost
Sweetheart Pharmacy Interiors
This Madrid Pharmacy Features a Romantic Ode to Health
Fashionable Instagram Campaigns
Banana Republic Teams Up with Hot Dudes Reading for a Cause
All-Natural Cosmetics ATMs
These 3FLOZ Vending Machines Sell Travel-Sized Beauty in Airports
Localized Fitness Campaigns
The Nike Toronto Billboards Specifically Target Female Runners
All-Terrain Crossover Cars
The Audi Prologue is a Hyper-Powered Sport Crossover Concept
Digital Reading Stations
PressPad Lounge Loans Digital Magazines to Mobile Devices
Tattoo Dating Apps
Tatchat is a New Dating App That Helps Connect Fellow Tattoo Enthusiasts
Pulsing Music Apps
HeartbeatsMUSIC Wearable Music Player App Recommends Tracks by Pulse
Efficient Double Boilers
The Portable Pot Keeps Your Heated Food and Drinks Safe for Consuming
Storage-Inspired Pop-Ups
This Footwear Pop-Up Shop Uses a Variety of Materials
Body Confidence Social Campaigns
Drop The Plus Asks the Fashion Industry to Stop Saying Plus Size
Merciless Mattress Cleaners
The Dyson V6 Sucks Up Dust Mites and Other Unsavories
Social Media Shopping Apps
The Net Set App Will Make Shopping a More Social Experience
Rustic Coffee Bar Outposts
The Latest Department of Coffee Location is Modern Minimalism
Sustainable Kid Fashion
The H&M Spring Party Collection Features Eco-Friendly Fabrics
Manly Diaper Bags
This Diaper Dude Messenger Boasts a Camo-Printed Exterior
Natural Carpet Cleaners
This DIY Dry Carpet Cleaner Recipe Cuts Costs with Household Ingredients
Clean Food E-Commerce
Bulk Fine Foods E-Retailer Marx Foods's Website has a Streamlined Design
Ice Block Billboards
Birds Eye's Frozen Billboard Urges Freezer Use to Reduce Food Waste
House-Cleaning Guides
These Decluttering Tips From Loft Blinds are Perfect for Spring Cleaning
Fashion Retailer Cosmetics
The H&M Beauty Collection is Comprised of 700 Pieces
DIY Non-Paper Towels
These DIY Non-Paper Towels Clean Up Spills and Save You Money
Ethical Vending Machines
Fashion Revolution's Experiment Tests the Allure of Cheap Fashion
Photography-Ready Dishware
These Plates are Designed to Improve Food Pics on Instagram
Blueberry Breakfast Cookies
These Oatmeal Baked Goods from How Sweet It Is are Tasty Anytime
Tech-Lending ATMs
Drexel University Has Introduced an iPad Vending Machine for Rentals
Overnight Chai Breakfasts
This Overnight Oatmeal Recipe is Ideal for Those with Food Allergies
Live-Streaming Soda Campaigns
The Mountain Dew Brand is Using Periscope to Boost Engagement
Livestreaming Fashion Channels
H&M Canada Takes to Periscope for Fashion Brand Marketing
Proximity-Based Dating Apps
'Happn' is a Dating App That Aims to Make Missed Connections History
Casual Friendship Apps
The Wiith App is a Tinder-Inspired platform for making new friends
Energy-Infused Recipes
A Pink Caffeine Powder Can Be Blended into Drinks, Desserts and Meals
Luscious Produce Websites
Monte Re is an Italian Food Brand Specializing in the Plum Tree
Floral Festival Shades
These Daisy Sunglasses from Dolls Kill are Perfect for Concert Wear
Astrological Dating Apps
Align Analyzes Zodiac Compatibility to Make Love Matches
Eco Vending Machines
Volkswagen's Think Blue Vending Machine Accepts Old Batteries As Payment
Soda Fountain Billboards
Coca-Cola's Drinkable Billboard Satisfies Thirsty Basketball Fans
Venue Discovery Apps
The Rekky Recommendations App Helps You Find the Hottest Places From Friends
Artisanal Java Branding
This Salvador Coffee Packaging is Rustic and Sustainable
Realistic Wildlife Confections
Shinri Tezuka's Animal Lollipops are Inspired by Underwater Life
Disabled Parking Projections
Dislife's Campaign Shows the Importance of Accessible Parking Spots
Multi-Sensory Cognac Shops
Martell's Airport Spirits Store Promises an 'Art de Vivre' Experience
Chemical-Free Cleaning Cloths
PopSugar's DIY Cleaning Wipes Tutorial Cuts Costs and Toxins
Photography Focused Trips
El Camino Travel's Nicaragua Selfie Tour Includes Personal Photographers
Side-Scrolling Snack Sites
Quatro Folhas' Website Shows a Rotating Supply of Fresh Fruits & Nuts
Coffee Cooking Classes
Nespresso and Chef Phil Howard Offer Lessons on the Science of Coffee
Exclusive Cookie Straws
Starbucks Announced the New S'mores Frappuccino Will Have a Special Straw
Bouldering Billboards
Powerade's Public Rock Climbing Billboard Encourage Fitness on the Streets
TV Show-Tracking Apps
The Fan TV iPhone App Tracks Shows and Movies Across Online Media Services
Greek Yogurt Retail Displays
These Bata SA Retail Displays Minimize the Use of Floor Space
Travel Souvenir ATMs
Souvenear is a Craft-Dispensing Vending Machine at Kansas City Airport
Revolutionary Live Streaming Apps
The Periscope App Lets You Stream Video To Your Followers
Secretive Party Campaigns
Jagermeister's Undercover Games Used Snapchat to Reveal a Secret Party
Inspirational Phone Cases
Wallflower Design Co's Custom Case Celebrates the Beauty if Life
Tantalizing Food Websites
The Dean & Deluca Website is Sleek and Boasts Cohesive Branded
Generational Quiz Shows
Televisa & Mark Burnett's Generation Gap is a Family-Friendly Quiz Show
Dating App Album Promotions
EDM Producer Zedd Has Launched His New Album on Tinder
Relatable Fitness Ads
Nike's Better For It Campaign Amusingly Addresses Negative Inner Thoughts
Caffeinated Quinoa Breakfasts
This Breakfast Quinoa Replaces an Unhealthy Morning Mocha Latte
Geo-Specific Albums
Swedish Band John Moose's Album Release Must Be Listened to in the Woods
Intimate Musician Videos
Spotify's Entertainment Marketing on Periscope Connects Fans & Music
Gamified Productivity Apps
The QUEST App Promises to Help 'Level Up Your Life'
Nitro-Infused Cold Brews
The Nitro Cold Brew is Stumptown's Ode to National Cold Brew Day
Processed Cheese Displays
These La Vache Qui Rit Displays Accentuate the Brand Mascot's Femininity
Virtual Reality Pop-Ups
The VOID Center Gives Participants a Full Body and Mind Virtual Experience
Zesty Dip Websites
G'nosh's Fun Food Website is Set Up Like a Long Hand-Painted Infographic
Sugar-Free Cinnamon Donuts
This Donut Recipe is a Low Carb Option That Satisfies Cravings
Pet Adoption Beacon Ads
The Adoption Campaign Uses Location-Based Tech to Increase Awareness
Spiritual Multimedia Subscriptions
Bethel.TV is an On-Demand Network for the Bethel Redding Church
Global Accessibility Maps
Axs Maps Uses Crowdsourced Reviews to Help Disabled People Worldwide
City-Specific Social Soundtracks
Spotify Canada Has Made a Series of Neighborhood-Themed Playlists
Tiered Streaming Subscriptions
DramaFever is an OTT Streaming Service Showcasing Asian Programming
Collaborative Video Apps
Facebook's Riff App Enhances the Social Aspect to Media Sharing
Chocolate Donut Collaborations
The Tim Hortons Nutella Series is a Limited-Time Only Offer
Creme Brulee Oatmeal Recipes
This Recipe Will Add a Luxurious Start to Your Day
Podcast Maker Apps
The Opinion App Allows You to Record, Edit and Share Podcasts for Free
Debt-Diminishing Games
Givling Helps Pay Off Student Loans with Rounds of Trivia
Heroic Donut Deals
Krispy Kreme Offers Free Treats for National Superhero Day Nominations
Natural Aromatherapy Cleansers
This Aromatic DIY Bathroom Cleaner Product Contains Lavender
Wrestling Dad Ads
This Ad Features WWE Star Roman Reigns Encouraging Fatherhood Involvement
Miniature Movie Billboards
The Ant-Man Billboards Play on the Superhero's Ability to Shrink
Festival-Focused Video Sharing
These Snapchat Coachella Filters Create Concert-Branded Clips
Spaghetti Squash Breakfasts
This Unusual Breakfast Porridge is Ideal for Those with Allergies
Disney Trivia Apps
The Pictopia App Spans Decades of the International Company's Magic
Manly Cleaning Campaigns
#SwifferDad Shows the Changing Relationship Between Men and Cleaning
Positivity Vending Machines
The Coke Tweet Machine Charges People Based on an Attitude Test
Flavored Face Wipes
Neat Cheeks' Face Wipes for Kids Makes Cleaning Up Messes Sweet
Clothing-Constructed Billboards
The Done in One LG Washing Machine Boasts a Creative Ad Campaign
Savory Asian Porridges
Barojuk's Savory Breakfast Porridge Features Broccoli and Root Vegetables
Female-Empowering Messaging Apps
The Bumble App for Dating Only Lets Women Start Conversations
Gamified Social Apps
PicSlam Turns Instagram Posts from Friends into a Photo Quiz Game
Ballpark Chicken Cones
The Chicken and Waffle Cone Will Be Available at Houston Astros Games
Pop-Up Car Billboards
These Smart Advertisements Appear Wherever a Compact Vehicle is Parked
Fatherhood Assisting Apps
The Baby Connect App Makes It Easier For Dads to Raise Their Children
Hacked Drone Graffiti
KATSU's Phantom Drone Vandalism Stunt Transform an NYC Billboard
Sticky Note Proposals
3M Helps a Korean Man Craft a Creative Proposal with Post-It Notes
Vending Machine Pranks
The Independent Health Foundation's Food Prank Judges Unhealthy Snacks
Sleek Hybrid SUVs
The Audi Q7 Hybrid is Targeted Towards the Chinese Auto Market
Socially-Focused Fashion Branding
DKNY is Making Twitter's Periscope App a Household Name
Educational Espresso Kits
Public's Coffee Nerd Starter Kit Teaches One To Make the Perfect Cup
Cannoli Donut Hybrids
This Yummy Cannoli Dessert from Oh, Bite It! is a Mashup with a Glazed Donut
Female-Celebrating Car Ads
Audi Uses #WomenDrivers to Showcase Female Talent in Its Latest Ads
Vietnamese Iced Coffees
This Vietnamese Iced Latte Recipe Uses Vegan Sweetened Condensed Milk