The top May 2016 viral marketing ideas highlights the ways in which brands are leveraging consumer behavior on social media in order to deliver campaigns that truly resonate.
Beecher's Fault, an indie rock band based in Queens, recently released a music video almost entirely shot using Snapchat lenses. The innovative concept was used for their single, 'Like Cartoons,' while the band fittingly used the animated Snapchat lenses to illustrate this theme.
Separately, in a unique Snapchat-inspired print ad, National Geographic recently used face-swapping technology to drive home a message about learning about the world we live in. The clever campaign is an example of a pattern in viral marketing that can also serve as inspiration for an offline concept that grabs the attention of consumers.
Top 20 Viral Marketing Ideas in May
20
VR Kitchen Simulators
IKEA's Virtual Reality Kitchen Experience Introduces Dream Kitchens
19
Gold Star Snapchat Lenses
This Starbucks Snapchat Lens Marks the Launch of a New Loyalty System
18
Narrative Experiential Tv Campaigns
This Mr Robot Campaign Sent Fans Hunting for Hidden Cash Drops
17
Face Swap Advertisements
These National Geographic Face Swap Photos Encourage Learning
16
Social Media Coloring Books
'Color Me Book' Turns Instagram Pictures into Adult Coloring Books
15
Integrated Social Racing Campaigns
This New Nascar Campaign Incorporates Twitter and Snapchat
14
Utility Vehicle Snapchat Campaigns
The Jeep Snapchat Campaign Encourages User-Generated Content
13
Snapchat Television Revivals
The Cribs Snapchat Series Will See the Relaunch of the MTV Hit
12
Ephemeral App-Install Campaigns
Cookie Jam is the First to Roll-Out App-Install Ads on Snapchat
11
Integrated March Madness Campaigns
This Allstate Campaign Includes Real-time Tweets and Snapchats
10
Instagram-Inspired TV Ads
This TV Advertisement from Menlook is Constructed of Instagram Photos
9
Social Media Custom Stickers
Snapchat Purchases Bitstrips for Personalized Comic Creations
8
Commemorative Social Media Filters
Snapchat's Purple Rain Filter Serves as a Tribute to Prince
7
Messaging App Music Videos
Beecher's Fault's Snapchat Music Video Makes Use of Popular Filters
6
Stamp-Collecting Soda Campaigns
'Coke ON' Challenges Fans to Collect Stamps for Free Drinks
5
Political Geofilter Ads
The Bernie Sanders Snapchat Geofilter Was a Paid Ad on NYC Primary Day
4
Off-Road Exploration Campaigns
Audi's 'Catch the Unseen' Inspires People to Visit Remote Places
3
Celeb Gloss Music Videos
Kylie Jenner Premiered a Music Video to Announce Her New Nude Lip Glosses
2
Social Media Mail Deliveries
Project GramGram Sends Social Media Messages to Grandma's Mailbox
1
Social Sports Livestreams
NFL Fans Can Now Livestream Thursday Night Football on Twitter
Related Ideas
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Location-Based Social Media Features
Instagram Map Connects Friends Who are Nearby One Another
Connection Platform Experiences
Facebook Debuts at Stagecoach to Target Younger Audiences
Summer Soda Brand Campaigns
Sprite 'Turns Up the Refreshment' With its Immersive Campaign
Video-Editing App Updates
Google Photos Launches a Slew of New Video Editing Tools
Modern Newsstand Skincare Pop-Ups
Neutrogena x AIRE Health Hosted a Thematic Event
Irish Stout Campaigns
Guinness Unveiled its St. Patrick’s Day Campaign
Gen-Z-Focused AR Campaigns
American Eagle Launched an AE Jeans Try-on Haul Lens
Gen Z Storytelling Campaigns
Coach is Running the 'Explore Your Story' Campaign for Spring 2026
Unique AI-Generated Ads
Skinny Mobile Introduces Its New AI-Powered Brand Ambassador
Creative Online Social Networks
BuzzFeed Introduces the New BF Island Social Network
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
AR-Powered Vending Machines
Snapchat and L’Oréal Made a Gamified Lens to Share Refillable Haircare
Comedic E-Commerce Brand Spots
Instacart Unveiled a Teaser for its Super Bowl Commercial
AR-Powered Makeup Experiences
NYX Professional Makeup Beauty Bestie 2.0 is Available on Snapchat
Playful Creative Design Billboards
Canva Unveils 3D Billboards to Spotlight its Capabilities
Beauty Hack-Inspired Campaigns
Vaseline Launched 'Vaseline World' Based on Social Media Content
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Influencer-Driven Consumer Insight Tools
Brilli™ is a New Tool That Disrupts Food Research
Social AI Video Lenses
Snapchat Brings Photo-To-Video AI to Lens Studio
Playful Gen-Z Dating Campaigns
Tinder's 'Crush Feelings' Captures the Essence of Modern Dating
Limited-Edition Flip Phones
The SVEDPHONE Only Offers Call and Text for Living in the Moment
Interactive AR Avocado Scans
Chipotle Launches its 'AvoLotto Lens' on Snapchat
Sensitivity Marketing Campaigns
Cetaphil Teams Up with Lil Wayne for Super Bowl Spot
Gen-Z-Targeted Phone Spots
Samsung Spotlights the Galaxy S25 Ultra in its 'Recipe Ideas' Ad
Branded Apparel Vodka Campaigns
Smirnoff Partners with Aleali May for We Do Game Days
Interactive AR Storefronts
Spotselfie AR Meta Stores Tie Real-World Places to Virtual Storefronts
Dynamic Basketball-Informed Marketing Campaigns
March Madness' New Campaign Features NCAA Athletes
AI-Assisted Business Ads
Google Workspace's 50 States, 50 Stories Shares Small Businesses Using AI
Vibrantly Comedic Travel Campaigns
The 'Booking.yeah' Campaign Features The Muppets
Gen Z Holiday Campaigns
SNIPES Launches 'Wrapped in Heat' Featuring Marlon Wayans
Cheeky Coffee Ads
Starbucks' New Ads Celebrate Personal Connections Through a Modern Twist
Delivery Driver-Centric Pizza Ads
Pizza Hut's New Commercial is Cheeky and Playful
Brighton Retail Launch Ads
IKEA Brighton Uses Seagull Splatter Campaign to Win Local Attention
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Friendly Fandom Campaigns
Heineken Kicked Off Fans Have More Friends with a Fun Social Experiment
AI-Powered Social AR Apps
The Snap Lens Studio Lets Any User Create Their Own Effects
Gen-Z-Targeted Language Platform Campaigns
Duolingo Introduces its Character-Driven 'Duolingo Ads'
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Cheeky Food-Focused Soda Campaigns
The 'Share a Pepsi' Campaign Encourages Pairing with Food
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
GenAI Fashion Lenses
Gucci is the First Luxury House to Launch a Sponsored AI Lens on Snapchat
AI Video Generators
Vitrin Generates Social Media Videos Quickly From One Image
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Personalized Video Summaries
SceneSnap Personalizes Video Content for Efficient and Focused Study
Influencer-Driven Fashion Events
Pacsun Collaborated with Prominent Gen-Z Creators
All-Asian Beauty Campaigns
Maybelline Face the Difference Features 40 Asian Pacific Trailblazers
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Shoppable AR Villages
The Snapchat Winter Village Has Three Immersive Luxury Brand Boutiques
Analog-Themed Camera Campaigns
Polaroid Launched 'The Camera for an Analog Life'
GenAI Social Media Lenses
The Imagine Lens Lets Snapchat Users Type to Bring Ideas to Life
Gen Z Soda Campaigns
Enjoy the Moment with a Coca‑Cola Targets a Generation That Wants to Unplug
Snapchat Super Bowl Filters
The NFL x Snapchat Creator Program Debuts Ahead of the Big Game
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Anti-Digital Social Campaigns
Heineken Partners with Joe Jonas for 'Socials Off Socials'
Cinematic Condiment Campaigns
Mike's Hot Honey Has Debuted Its First National Advertising Campaign
Iconic High Fashion Campaigns
Veronica Beard's Fall 2025 Fashion Campaign is Tilted Iconic
Sensorial Soda Campaigns
Sprite's 'Hurts Real Good With Sprite' Targets Gen Z
Localized Retail Media Platforms
Snappy Shopper Launches Connect, a Retail Media Network
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Musician-Led Beverage Campaigns
poppi Tapped Charli xcx and Rachel Sennott for the Super Bowl
French Beer Marketing Campaigns
1664 Features Robert Pattinson in Its New Acting-Inspired Campaign
Inclusive Makeup Brand Campaigns
LIVE TINTED Launches the 'It Feels Good to Be Seen'
Playful Hockey Campaigns
Beard in a Box Campaign Lets Hockey Fans Join the Playoff Beard Tradition
Burger Ad Campaigns
Burger King’s New Campaign Suggests Even Babies Can’t Resist the Whopper
Poetic Secondhand Campaigns
Depop's Where Taste Recognizes Taste Celebrates Style Doppelgangers
Early Allergen Exposure Ads
The Square Baby Super Bowl Spot Promotes a Science-Backed Message
AI-Powered Imagery Tools
Snap by Genius.AI Creates Realistic Images Fast Without Photoshoots
Redefining Screen-Free Cameras
Camp Snap Arrives at Target as a Mindful Disconnection
Lyrics-Inspired OOH Campaigns
Taskrabbit Interprets Pop Culture Songs for Summer Home Tasks
Consumer Insight Engines
Buzzabout Delivers Real-Time Insights From Billions of Conversations
Production-Led Live Commerce Events
P.Louise Launches Get Unteddy With Me on TikTok Shop
Coordinated Convenience-Focused Promotional Campaigns
7-Eleven Runs Promotions for Two Events
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
Celebrity-Starring Super Bowl Ads
Taco Bell Recruits Doja Cat for its New Super Bowl Advertisement
Short Video Marketing
Viral Pulse Helps Businesses Generate Engaging Short Videos Quickly
Authentic Skincare Campaigns
We are Social France Spotlights Avène’s New Anti-Blemish Cream
Millennial Nostalgia Banking Campaigns
Allt Bank Playfully Jabs at Millennials' Financial Habits
AI-Powered Social Media Lenses
Snap Announced AI Video Lenses for Snapchat Platinum Subscribers
Satirical Destination Marketing Videos
The Viral Switzerland is Fake is Cheeky and Tech-Driven
GenAI Makeup Marketing
MAC Cosmetics is Tapping into the Power of Adobe Firefly Services
Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns
Lunchtime Becomes a Joyous Time in 'The Lunchables Effect'
Miniature Billboard Ads
Little Canada's Mini Media Initiative Spotlights Brands on Tiny Billboards
High-Concept Brand Campaigns
The ‘Legitimate You’ Campaign Proves Every Brand Can Look Pro
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Peer-Powered Gifting Initiatives
indu and SoPost Encourage Customers to Share Samples with Friends
Interactive Traveling Marketing Initiatives
Heinz Pllayfully Spotlights the Heinz Ketchup Zero
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Youth-Led Holiday Campaigns
Where are You Going? Showcases a Global Portrait of Young Creators
Social-First Beauty Retailers
Sally Beauty Joins TikTok Shop
Choreographed Retailer-Backed Commercials
Gap and Parker Posey Release a Movement-Focused Campaign
Presence-Boosting Bar Campaigns
'She's Got a Tab' Revives the SVEDKA Robot & Real-Life Connection
Carrier Pigeon Campaigns
The Travel Agency's Viral Project Pigeon Spiked Social Media Engagement
Viral Face Generators
CrazyFace Generates Fun, Viral YouTube Faces from a User's Photos
Value-Driven QSR Campaigns
Domino's 'Who Likes Pizza?' Visualizes Pizza's Worth
Post-Game Breakfast Campaigns
McDonald's Flipped Its Ads Sideways for Super Bowl Recovery
Reimagined Story-Driven Campaigns
Visa Presented its 'Typewriter' Campaign at the 2025 Oscars
AI-Powered Sampling Experiences
Swish is Revolutionizing How Consumers Try New Products
City-Focused Influencer Platforms
Storytime Launches Storytime Marketplace in Cities
Social Video Beauty Brands
Time Inc. Unveils 'The Pretty' Social Video-Based Beauty Brand
Accessible Design Campaigns
Canva's Really, Really Good Design Transformed a Sandwich Business
Content Idea Generators
Spin The Wheel and Capture Content Ideas Based on Your Online Presence
AI-Driven Video Creation
Viralshort Creates TikTok & YouTube Shorts in Seconds Using AI
Retro Snack Cake Campaigns
Vachon's Rosettes Campaign Stirs Nostalgia in Gen X and Millennials
Tax-Focused Marketing Campaigns
Intuit Debuts the Second Iteration of 'Now This is Taxes'
Global Product Launch Events
Uber Unveils a New Go-Get Exhibit Featuring Interactive Vignettes
Limited-Edition Beer Campaigns
San Miguel launches a Limited-Edition Beer Campaign for Summer
AI Creator-Centric Campaigns
The Spirit of London Campaign by Beefeater Embraces the City's Energy
Nostalgic Beauty Campaigns
Dove's #UnseenBeauty Initiative Challenges Y2K Beauty Standards
Cheeky Wrap-Focused Campaigns
Jimmy John's Introduced the Wrap Exchange
Startup Growth Strategies
The Virality Playbook Shares 350+ Proven Growth Hacks for Startups
Purpose-Driven Brand Storytelling Platforms
Hellonation Has Debuted Its Edvertising Model
Social Media Creator Initiatives
Snapchat Launches its Gen Z-Focused Creator Connect Service
Swapped Phone Campaigns
KitKat Phone Break Depicts Devices Traded for Chocolate Wafer Bars
Interactive Streaming Ads
Spotify Turns Listening into Engagement with Carousel Ads
Question-Driven Brand Revisions
NPR Turns its Logo Into Question Words
Local Story Creators
Word oh Mouth Lets Users Share Experiences And Support Local Businesses
Real-Time Nightlife Finders
HotSpot Discovers Trending Nightlife Spots With Real-Time Insights
Real-Time Sharing Apps
MomentsHub Lets You Discover And Share Nearby Experiences Instantly
Generational Wellness Campaigns
Sports Research Evolved Its Marketing into a Cultural Movement
Newsletter Monetization Tools
Beehiiv Ad Network Monetize Newsletters by Connecting Premium Brands
Meaningful Relationship-Encouraging Campaigns
Iceberg Vodka Debuts 'Foraging Deeper Connections'
Ad Creation Platforms
Magritte Helps Marketers Discover, Design, and Launch Ads Quickly
Customizable Marketing Postcards
Smartpress' Sticker & Magnet Postcards Fight Digital Fatigue
Nostalgic Celebrity-Supported Beverage Campaigns
Clearly Canadian Recently Revived Its Brand
Viral Video Creators
Creatify 2.0 Creates Attention-Grabbing Viral Videos in One Click
Real-Time Video Matching
Call Me Maybe Connects Singles Through Fast, Fun 15-Minute Video Chats
Agency Vibe-Coding Platforms
Havas' 'Brand Insights AI' Is a Claude-Powered GEO Product
Local Event Discovery Tools
'Place To Be' Helps Find and Share Events on an Interactive Map
Group Video Gifting
Folksee Makes It Easy To Collect And Gift Personalized Video Reels
Brandless Packaging Campaigns
McDonald’s Tested a Name-Free 'Famous Order' Promotion
Social Video Sponsorship Platforms
Find, Vet, and Book YouTube Sponsorships with Thoughtleaders.io
Marketing Resource Directories
Viral Marketing Lab Curates Growth Tools And Resources For Founders
Consumer Values-Based Audiences
Givsly Debuts Values-Based Audiences to Streamline Marketing
Hybrid Mail Services
Better Letter Card Co Sends Photos and Videos as Real Postcards
Event Branding Tools
Frame Me Lets Event Managers Share Branded Photos For Viral Marketing
Ad Creation Engines
Viva Labs Uses AI To Research, Create, And Analyze Short Ads