There are various marketing tactics used by major companies to promote their products. Usually, companies like to go big and flashy for their business forgetting that sometimes less can be a lot more.
Subtle forms of marketing leave all the bold flash and in-your-face advertising in the backseat while it shines with low key presentation that is just as effective. Not-so-flashy ads like the CarMax commercial --featuring personified puppies-- hooked buyers with its clever appeal and undeniable cuteness. Not all buyers can be bought with per-meditated publicity stunts, and prefer slower paced marketing tactics that just work just as well.
The "wow factor" isn't always what gives a business a booming head start, and these reserved forms of advertising prove that they can still have impressive results.
25 Examples of Subtle Marketing Tactics
From Adorable Animal Ads to Radically Romantic Billboards:
Malika Renee Butss — Feb 26, 2014 — Marketing
24
Pictorial Popsicle Packaging
Freeze Ice Lollies Branding Features Iconic Images of Colorful Treats
23
Butchered Snack Branding
Real Meat Jerky Packaging Presents Itself Simply But Successfully
22
Creepily Illustrated Toothpaste Ads
The Colgate Pro Sensitive Toothpaste Campaign is Disturbing
21
Geektastic Love Songs
‘Canon Boy Meets Nikon Girl: the Rap Video' is Hilariously Aweso
20
Fast Food Diorama Ads
The McDonald’s Happy Meal 2013 Campaign Promotes Children's Creativity
19
Choco-Bar Juice Boxes
The Cocoa Metro Campaign is Crafty, Creative and Clever
18
Personifed Canine Campaigns
The Acne Studios Spring/Summer 2013 Advert Stars Fashionable Animals
17
Surreally Mouthed Fish Ads
The Saila Breath Mint Campaign Centers Around Hilarious Hybrids
16
Car Key Landscape Ads
The Volkswagen Amarok Campaign is Imaginatively Adventurous
15
Romantic Snowman Ads
‘The Journey’ by John Lewis is Adorably Enduring
14
Bad Food Boomerang Ads
The Teva Losec Capsules Campaign Fights Against Acid Reflux
13
City-Garbed Couple Ads
The Thalys Fast Train Campaign Focuses on Long Distance Relationships
12
Dueling Brother Campaigns
The 'Claude vs Pierre' Stella Artois Commercial is Cute
11
Canine Car Shop Ads
The 'Slow Bark' CarMax Ad is Made for the Puppy Bowl
10
Illustrated Avian Supplement Packaging
Pearlfisher's Avian Packaging is Beautifully Minimalist
9
Cheek-Bursting Sweet Bread Ads
The Panettone Tottus Campaign Revolves Around Eager Children
8
Animal Print Branding
Saloio Cheese Packaging Wears the Skin of its Livestock Source
7
Tooth-Shaped Plate Ads
The Even Mouthwash Campaign Encourages Removing All the Dirt
6
Bittersweet Canine Auto Ads
This Citroen Car Commercial Shows Two Dogs in Love
5
Transforming Candy Campaigns
Enjoy Strawberry and Pear with these Starburst Flavour Morphs Ads
4
Family-Finding Foster Videos
The Story of I Shows How Parents Can Bring Joy to a Lonely Child
3
Monstrous Pimple Ads
The Oatmeal Spot Clear Ad Campaign Shows What People See When They Have a Zit
2
Sweet Escape Perfume Commercials
The L'Eau de Chloe Advertising Campaign is Fresh and Spring-Like
1
Clumsy Animal Branding
Pekabesko Pate Packaging Features Cartoon Creatures in Dangerous Situations
Related Ideas
Takeout Treat Branding
Yollibox Packaging Gives the Frozen Dessert an On-the-Go Image of Lightness
Symbolic Branding Strategies
Thalassios Kosmos Packaging Plays with Name, Letters and Contents
Purist Patterned Pop Cans
Arizona Tea Packaging Simplifies the Busy Motifs of the Existing Look
Football-Infused Fashion Shoots
Mario Testino Captured Kate Upton for Vogue US February 2014
Awful Job Ads
The Eagle Awards 2013 Campaign Reads "In a Parallel Universe, Your Job Might Suck"
Compatible Astrological Sign Ads
The Tulipan Condoms Horoscope Campaign is Predictably Appealing
Octahedral Infusion Branding
Senba Tea Packaging Has Great Dimension that Alludes to its Flavor
Adoringly Doodled Branding
Mama Sopa Packaging was Illustrated Lovingly with Care for Cleanliness
Fabric Food Ads
The Issey Miyake Pleats Please Campaign Depicts Delicious Fashion
Provocative Marine Photography
The Fish Love Ad Campaign Was Captured by Denis Rouvre
Earthy Dessert Branding
Willow & Sage Organic Gelato Packaging Expresses its Natural Quality
Adorable Bovine Branding
Bio Organic Milk Packaging Features Cute Cows to Entice Consumers
Texty Mouthful Marketing
Gulp Milkshakes Packaging Expresses Itself in Bold and Agitated Letters
Creepy Toy Comeback Ads
The Duracell 'Some Toys Never Die' Campaign is Dark and Disturbing
Celebrity Menswear Campaigns
The Mr. Porter 'The Look' is Now Featuring Chase Crawford
Emotive Socialite Editorials
The Ones 2 Watch Black Dementia Photoshoot is Elgantly Opulent
Cigarette-Like Search Engines
The Russian Ministry of Health Ad Campaign is Cleverly Inquisitive
Contagious Car Commercials
The Volkswagen Superbowl Commercial Will Bring a Smile to Your Face
Pasty Purple Hair Photoshoots
The Costume Norway 'Colorama' Editorial Stars Mona Johannesson
Porcelain Food Campaigns
The VIPS Restaurant & Retail Ads are a Timeless Culinary Creation
Personified Peanut Branding
Nuts for Snack Packaging Features Cute Characters That'll Crack You Up
Stomach-Churning Campaigns
These Land Rover Eating Out Ads Feature Dishes Like Stewed Eyeballs
Trojan Horse-Inspired Ads
The Signal Sensitive Expert Toothpaste Campaign Depicts Sneak Attacks
Airhead Lip-Locking Ads
The 'Kiss' Ads Have Gum Bubbles Transforming into Lovers
Fashionable Brew Branding
COBAG Coffee Packaging Features a Range of Styles for Different Tastes
Surreal Building Blocks Ads
The LEGO 2014 Campaign Feeds Off of Kids' Imaginations
Stop-Sign-Inspired Boxes
Nowhere To Go Packaging Brings a Sweeping Glance to a Standstill
Watercolor Animal Ads
The WWF 'No water, No life' Campaign is Artistically Abstract
Adapting Artist Campaigns
Adobe Studio Reveals the Faces That are Changing the Art World
Heat-Suffering Tribesmen Ads
The Gonda The Tribal Spice Campaign Promotes Ultimate Potent Cuisine
Kindergarden Fashionista Ads
The Karen Walker Summer 2013 Campaign Captures Chic Children
Mocking Motocycle Ads
Portland Ducati Dealership Turns Male Employees into Seductive Models
Literal Fruit-Shaped Logos
This Juice Packaging Concept Scrumptiously Combines Edible and Alphabet
Fruit-Inspired Phone Packaging
The Juice Box Phone Charger Package Uses Clever Marketing Tactics
Eye-Catching Spectacle Branding
Fashion Eyeglasses Packaging Appeals to the Peepers to Be Adorned
Fresh Processed Food Ads
The Dallas Farmers Market Campaign Transforms Burgers into Vegetables
Childcare Charity Campaigns
These Ads Show the Hopes and Dreams of Abandoned Children
Clothing-Modeled Cartons
Plaji Packaging Proposes the Storing of Garments in Aptly Shaped Boxes
Heart-Clogging Print Campaigns
The World Health Day Ad Presents a Heart Bursting from Gluttony
Animal-Printed Children's Clothing
Barley & Birch Offers USA-Made Organic Cotton Duds
Face-Covering Mustache Ads
The VML Movember 2013 Campaign Promotes Charitable Hilarity
Simplified Foliage Branding
Ellie Tea Packaging Features a Perfect Symbol to Illustrate its Image
Hilarious Safety Ads
The Vancouver Police Department Campaign Focuses on Stupid Combinations
Layered Ascot Menswear
The Acne Men's 2013 A/W Collection is Clean-Lined
Immaculate Rectangular Containers
C Bathroom Embodies the Pristine Beauty of the Interior's Style
Dependent Diseased Individuals
The Sativex Independent Thinking Ad Campaign Addresses Spasticity
Charitably Fashionable City Cars
The Citroen DS3 Cabrio L'Uomo Vogue Benefits Women's Charities
Elaborately Patterned Pop Cans
Doublevee Packaging Visually Alludes to Stimulating Flavor
Peacocking Beverage Branding
Bellacock Cocktail Packaging Entices with a Coat of Vivid Color
Fiery Songstress Editorials
The Love Karin Park Photoshoot Celebrates the Singer's Career
Controversial Detergent Ads
The Hypo Damn Good Whites Campaign Focuses on Shocking Illustrations
Surprising Salmon Water Ads
This Exito Water Campaign Demonstrates How Fresh Its Product Can Be
Hand-Shaking Kitchen Utensil Ads
The Bodum 'With No Slip Grips' Campaign is Warm and Welcoming
Germinating Juice Branding
Fruit Puree Packaging Mimics the Anatomy of its Primary Ingredient
Text Bubble Traps
The Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers Campaign Shows the Power of a Text
Canine-Influenced Coifs
High-Pedigree Dogs Inspire the WildWash 2013 Ad Campaign
Country-Inspired Perfume Campaigns
The Moschino Cheap and Chic 'Chic Petals' Ad Stars Ginta Lapina
Suave Countryside Campaigns
The Marks and Spencer Collezione Advertorial is Inspired by Italy
Beautifully Bottled Infusions
Paromi Tea Packaging Looks Refined in Matte Glass Bottles
Humanized Packaged Juices
Bunch Juice Company Has Named and Personalized Their Products
Bold Wordy Branding
Goodbody Packaging is Dominated by Appealing Encouraging Text
Aluminum Foil Auto Ads
The Volkswagen Delivery Trucks Campaign Offers "Right Size for Your Needs"
Eroticized Cult Classic Films
The Kino Praha Film Festival Campaign Sensualizes Iconic Characters
Protective Rugby Player Ads
The Woman’s Room Campaign Urges "Stand Strong Against Violence"
Macabre Gingerbread Men Ads
The Fangoria Magazine Holiday 2013 Campaign is Deliciously Disturbing
Surreally Mouthed Fish Ads
The Saila Breath Mint Campaign Centers Around Hilarious Hybrids
Cute Cup Ring Packaging
Hidden Caffe Branding Features Familiar Symbols of Tea Drinking
Aged Music Lover Ads
The Duracell 2013 Ad Campaign Fights the Effect of Time in a Different Way
Peeled-Back Natural Beauty Ads
The Crest 3D White Whitestrips Campaign Shows What Nature Intended
Hungry Beast Branding
Peppersmith Tingz Packaging Bears Teeth for Mouthy Marketing
Cardboard Box Furniture Ads
The LG K2 Kompressor Vacuum Cleaner Campaign Involves a Brand New Home
Communal Bacteria Ads
The Siribuncha Instant Hand Sanitizer Campaign Reminds You to Stay Clean
Marionette-Escaping Fashion Ads
The Harvey Nichols Influenced by None Campaign is Liberating
Animated Sleeping Ads
The Mouka Mattress Campaign Prepares People for an Active Day
Body Part Partier Ads
The Galapagai Festival 2013 Campaign Encourages a Sensory Experience
Football Ad-Previewing Channels
YouTube Ad Blitz Gives Super Bowl Ads Their Own Pre-Game Show
Gift Wrapped Superhero Logos
The Strange Adventures Ad Campaign Promotes a Comic Book Christmas
Humane Pest Prevention Ads
The Electromagnetic Rodent Repellent is Cruelty-Free
Butterfly-Blasting Ads
The Undo-It Laser Tattoo Removal Campaign is Violently Promising
Sock-Covered Canine Ads
These Hyundai Advertisements Reiterate the Brand's Luxury Cushions
Wordplay Candy Advertisements
M&M’S Decides to Make a Play of Words for its Latest Campaign
Human-Formed Cloud Ads
The Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Campaign Depicts Added Protection
Colorful Hand-Scrawled Branding
Valtida Piccola Olive Oil Packaging Highlights Handmade Production
City-Garbed Couple Ads
The Thalys Fast Train Campaign Focuses on Long Distance Relationships
Good Samaritan Fruit Ads
The Hortifruti 'Only the Good Ones Get In' Campaign is Adorable
Juice Cleanse Delivery Services
Revitalize Your System with Total Cleanse
Spruced Up Fertilizer Branding
Gro Plant Formula Employs Bark-Derived Material for a Modern Image
Destructive Trail Mix Ads
The Krispy Kernels Dried Fruit & Nuts Campaign Dismisses Segregation
Coffin Seating Ads
The Coca-Cola Ministry of Health Campaign Warns Against Sedentary Lifestyles
Killer Hazardous Substance Ads
The Environmental Protection Authority Campaign is Eye-Opening
Meme-Ridden Web Design Ads
This Squarespace Super Bowl Teaser Ad Explores Internet Themes
Viking-Horned Vessels
The Form of Drink Milk! Packaging is Infused with Symbolism of Strength
Friendly Bear First Aid
The PolarAid Kit Aims to Help its Human Users and a Population of Animals
Deceptively Nude Earphone Ads
The AIAIAI Headphones Ad Campaign Makes Sound Look Seductive
Lingering Child Abuse Ads
The CPCR Ad Campaign Sadly Shows that "It Never Goes Away"
Ring-Arranged Branding
Ingredissimo Packaging Expresses Rich and Colored Texture in Circular Piles
Personified Feeling Ads
The McDonald’s Easy Morning Campaign Promotes Better Moods
Cheek-Bursting Sweet Bread Ads
The Panettone Tottus Campaign Revolves Around Eager Children
Cute Cartooned Beverages
SoyMilk Packaging Visually Entices with Endearing Illustrated Labels
Applauding Auto Shop Ads
The Slow Clap Super Bowl Ad from CarMax Celebrates Its Consumers
Abstract Coffee Prints Ads
The Coffee Print Ad from Leo Burnett Showcases How Art Should Be Used
Motorized Rally Car Artworks
The Citroen DS3 Rally Diorama Celebrates 21 Rally Titles
Suspenseful Canine Car Ads
This Audi Super Bowl Ad Teaser Promises a Big Surprise on Game Day
Purist Formula Packaging
Nutrico Baby Food Branding Communicates Cuteness and Cleanliness
Instrumental City Ads
The Filarmonica Joven de Colombia Campaign Promotes Passion & Inspiration
Distinguished Tradesperson Portraits
The Renault Kangoo Ad Campaign Makes Quite the Claim
Monstrous Pimple Ads
The Oatmeal Spot Clear Ad Campaign Shows What People See When They Have a Zit
Customer-Herding Webhost Ads
The 2014 GoDaddy Super Bowl Ad Brings Customers in Droves
Nature Disaster Clothing Ads
The LaveFacil 'Keep It Out of Risk' Campaign Promotes Preservation
Bronzed War Vet Campaigns
The Legacy Australia Ad Campaign Asks People to 'Join the Fight'
Vetted Auto Technician Ads
The RAA Approved Repairer Campaign Puts People's Minds at Ease
Squished Entertainer Battery Ads
The Philips Power Station Campaign Focuses on What Will Be Missed
Balding Typography Ads
'Lose the Myth, Keep the Hair' with the Clear Anti-Hairfall Shampoo
Hybrid Canine Car Ads
This Audi Commercial Builds Suspense for Its Upcoming Super Bowl Ad