These millennial marketing innovations range from customized lifestyle platforms to millennial voting initiatives that aim to increase political awareness among young voters. Fueled by millennials' love of technology, these marketing examples are either experiential or personalized to fit the specific interests of young consumers.
In addition to marketing through social media campaigns and gamified mobile platforms, major brands like Starbucks, McDonald's and even Microsoft are appealing to consumers' love of rewards and free perks. While Microsoft's Bing Rewards app gives users of the search engine access to exclusive offers and discounts, Burger King's chicken-themed emoji app appeals to millennials who use the icons during daily text conversations and on web platforms like Instagram and Facebook. The latter example also illustrates Burger King's understanding of generational fads among younger consumers.
Furthermore, examples like immersive horror videos and engaging brand concerts by MTV and car manufacturer Honda let consumers personalize a film trailer or music performance to fit their niche interests.
30 Millennial Marketing Innovations
30
Branded Festival Pop-Up Motels
Fosters and Airbnb Created a Pop-up Motel at Finland's Provinssi
29
Fast Food Emoji Apps
The Burger King Emoji Keyboard Celebrates the Return of Chicken Fries
28
Data-Driven Loyalty Apps
7-Eleven's New Loyalty Platform Trades Free Drinks for Insightful Data
27
On-Demand Ice Cream Trucks
The 'Good Humor' Ice Cream Trucks Can Be Summoned with a Single Tweet
26
App-Based Rewards Programs
The MyNB App Lets New Balance Customers Win Exciting Rewards
25
Engaging Brand Concerts
The Honda Stage Experience Helps Fans Connect with Music Live and Online
24
Paperless Loyalty Apps
Canadian Tire's Loyalty Rewards App Offers a Better Way to Collect Perks
23
Millennial Employment Apps
This New App Will Help Recent Graduates Find Start-up Jobs
22
Rewarding Instagram Ads
SnapMyAd is an App that Rewards Brand Enthusiasts for their Photos
21
Cooperative Bottle Caps
This Coca Cola Happiness Campaign Requires Two to Open a Coke
20
Immersive Horror Videos
This Promotional Game Lets User Choose Their Own Terrifying Adventure
19
Dating App Marketing Campaigns
Jason Derulo Recently Launched a New Video Through Tinder
18
Backstage Loyalty Programs
Air Miles' Stage Pass Entices Millennials with Concerts, Events & Perks
17
Experiential Canadian Eurotrips
Traveling to Europe is More Accessible than Ever
16
Rapid Photo Book Apps
The TripPix App Lets Millennials Quickly Create Nifty Photo Books
15
Chip Showdown Apps
This Doritos' Ketchup Chips Challenge Tests a Phone User's Patience
14
Wi-Fi Reward Programs
Subway's Mobile Loyalty Incentive Treats Patrons Who Access Wi-Fi
13
Fashionable Passport Promotions
Nine West's Passport to Fashion Loyalty Program is Great for Deals
12
Search Engine Loyalty Programs
The Bing Rewards App Provides Perks to the Platform's Users
11
Smart Phone Stamps
Snowshoe Stamps Include Chips for Interactive Mobile Marketing
10
Beautiful Reading Apps (UPDATE)
Medium for Android is Officially Available at Google Play
9
Informative Embedded Ads
Microsoft's Collective Project Appeals to a Millennial Audience
8
Java Perk Loyalty Cards
The Caribou Perks Loyalty Program Rewards Customers for Sticking with Them
7
Automotive Emoji Messages
Chevrolet Teases the Cruze with a Cryptic All-Emoji Release
6
Points Cards-Combining Platforms
Thanx Links All Your Loyalty Points Programs to One Credit Card
5
Cross-Platform Reality Shows
The Next Style Star Was Developed By Maker Studios and Macy's
4
Telecom Payment Apps
Suretap is a Payment Tool That is Backed by Major Media Channels
3
Customized Diet Services
The Almond App Offers Personalized Nutrition Coaching and Food Plans
2
Millennial Lifestyle Platforms
The Bustle Mobile App Appeals to Female Pop Culture Fans
1
Millennial Voting Initiatives
VotePromise2015 Urges Torontonians to Participate Politically
Related Ideas
Mobile Bus Boutiques
The Kenzo Fashion Bus Offers Designer Style On the Go
Customizable Ice Cream
This Magnum Ice Cream Pop-Up Shop Puts Customers In Charge
Branded Confectionery Kiosks
This Delicious Nutella Pop-Up in Brazil is the First of Its Kind
Patron Loyalty Packaging
These Sushi Restaurant Rewards Boxes Thank Regulars for Their Business
Free Vending Machines
Innovative Vending Solutions Encourages People to Tweet for Snacks
Animated Produce Packaging
This Raspberry Packaging Might Eat Your Fruit Before You Get a Chance
Creative Lettering Shops
5 POINTS' Shop Appeals to Creative Millennials with Interactive Stations
High-Tech Retail Hubs
Harvey Nichols' Newest Retail Store Design Boasts Engaging Details
Virtual Technology Shops
Google's Virtual Shop Simulates its Branded Retail Space in London
Emoji Bobblehead Stunts
This TalkTalk Mobile Marketing Campaign Promotes a Test on Emoji IQ
VIP Shopping Experiences
Ralph Lauren Milan Opens a Shop That is Exclusive to Loyal Customers
Casual Dining Trucks
A McDonald's Food Truck and Lounge at SXSW Tempts Millennials
Old Hollywood Weddings
This Retro Wedding Theme Draws Inspiration from 50s Glamour
Generational Comparison Graphs
This Gen Z Infographic Compares the Group to Gen Y
Brand Expansion Pop-Ups
Coco and Cowe Celebrates Launch of Online Shop with a Whimsical Pop-Up
TV Superfan Posters
HBO Helped Fans Become Part of Game of Thrones Posters at SXSW
Smart Payment Mugs
Users Can Pay For Their Drinks Using the Environmentally Friendly Coffee Cup
Whimsical Womenswear Pop-Ups
This Free People Pop-Up Was Recently Launched in Australia
Robotic Dating App Stunts
This SXSW Tinder Marketing Stunt Used a Hot Robot to Promote Ex Machina
Global Destination Charts
This Infographic Gives You Ideas to Add Onto Your Travel Bucket List
360-Degree Video Sharing Platforms
YouTube Partners with Giroptic to Introduce a New Video Format
Tattoo Dating Apps
Tatchat is a New Dating App That Helps Connect Fellow Tattoo Enthusiasts
Cheeky Celebrity Pajamas
This Miley Cyrus Jumpsuit Features the Many Faces of the Pop Icon
Pizza Emoji Deliveries
Domino's is Allowing Customers to Order Pizza Using a Beloved Emoticon
Data-Driven Loyalty Apps
7-Eleven's New Loyalty Platform Trades Free Drinks for Insightful Data
Luxury Car Washes
Prime is Positioning Itself as the 'W Hotel of the Carwash World'
Travel Book-Making Apps
The 'Trippix' App Easily Turns Travel Pictures into Custom Photo Books
Logo-Mimicking Displays
The Adidas Harvey Nichols Pop-Up Boasts a Locker Room Set-up
Yogurt Food Trucks
Yogurty's Froyo Brings Its Service to the Streets for Fun Interaction
Fast Food Emoji Ads
These McDonald's Billboards Are Marked with Emoticon Imagery
Grumpy Feline Food Stunts
People Lined Up For Hours to Meet Grumpy Cat at SXSW
On-Demand Ice Cream Trucks
The 'Good Humor' Ice Cream Trucks Can Be Summoned with a Single Tweet
Outfit-Deciding Apps
The Castoff App Makes Friendly Advice Only a Tap Away
High-Tech Maternity Stores
Thyme Maternity's Concept Store Targets Savvy Moms-to-Be
Surge Menu Pricing
The Restaurant Industry Considers Charging More During Peak Times
Diet-Friendly Meal Plans
Blue Apron's Meal Plans Include Those with Dietary Restrictions
Bearded Matchmaking Research
These Gillette Dating Statistics Take Advantage of Tinder's Big Data
Folksy Pop-Up Bars
The Mumford & Sons Pop-Up Bar Launches a New Album and an Exclusive Beer
Sound-Blasting Cars
The Smart Forgigs Concept Car Packs an Insane Sound System
Victimized Emoji Initiatives
The Abused Emojis Empower Children to Speak Up
Startup Networking Apps
Lunchcruit Builds Professional Connections Through Sit-Down Meals
Work Performance Apps
The BetterWorks Performance Tracker Increases Interaction via Apple Watch
Bookworm Fashion Shops
Sonia Rykiel's Tokyo Fashion Pop-Up Puts Garments and Books on Display
Premium Dating Apps (UPDATE)
This Advertisement for Tinder Plus Will Take You on an Adventure
Choosy Listening Systems
'Here Active Listening' Lets People Control Their Audio Environment
Fitness Band Payments
Jawbone and AmEx Have Announced a Partnership Involving a New Device
Doodled Lunch Campaigns
PopChips UK's Interactive Online Campaign Makes Lunches Exciting
Custom News Creation Tools
The Criticl Platform Lets Users Create Their Own Journalistic Content
Immersive Audio Headphones
The 'Here Active Listening' Earbuds are Made for Real World Audio
Privacy-Protecting Ad Strategy
David Stillwell's Online Advertising Speech on Digital Identity
Music Exchange Markets
Mutrs Enables Fans to Become Investors of Their Favorite Indie Artists
Mobile Restaurant Payments
TouchBistro is Bringing Apple Pay Solutions to Restaurants
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
Smart Discount Cards
Plenty Helps Consumers Clean Up Their Wallet with a Single Card
Crossover Loyalty Apps
Plenti by American Express Lets You Use Points from One Place at Another
Bluetooth Payment Cards
The Stratos Card Consolidates All Plastic Cards into One
Reviewing Corporate Hiring Practices
Jenny Siu's Job Hunting Talk Offers Tips to Millennials
Astrological Dating Apps
Align Analyzes Zodiac Compatibility to Make Love Matches
Addictive Job-Hunting Apps
The Switch App Lets You Swipe Right For a Job
All-in-One Credit Cards
The SWYP Picks Up the Tab On Every Debit, Loyalty and Gift Card Combined
Job-Hunting Apps
Poach's Job Search App Works in the Background to Detect Opportunity
Personalized Loyalty Keychains
Physical Cookie Brings the Web's Best to Brick and Mortar Shopping
Backstage Loyalty Programs
Air Miles' Stage Pass Entices Millennials with Concerts, Events & Perks
Promotional Restaurant Beacons
McDonald's Harnesses the Power of Piper for Targeted Marketing
Cost-Cutting Retail Apps
Fashalot Offers Retail Discounts When a Shopper Checks in to the Store
Crowdsourced Reward Apps
MoPals' Rewards App Provides Incentives to Share Photos, Reviews & Posts
Massive Cloud Marketplaces
Ingram Micro Platform Helps Tech Resellers Take Advantage of the Cloud
Contactless POS Systems
Proxama's Units Offer Solutions for NFC Marketing & Loyalty Platforms
Multi-Sensory Cognac Shops
Martell's Airport Spirits Store Promises an 'Art de Vivre' Experience
Smartphone Loyalty Card Wallets
The UGO Mobile Wallet Holds Your Credit and Store Cards Digitally
Restaurant App Expansions
A Planned Zomato Expansion is Fueled by a Successful Round of Funding
Footwear Emoji Apps
The Foot Locker App Lets You Add 'Shoemojis' to Your Text Messages
Mini Ice Cream Trucks
Wall's Ice Cream Truck Brings Sweet Treats & Huge Smiles to Office Employees
Viral Video Networks
Channels on Stevie's Video Service Are Based on Popular Social Media Content
Virtual Travel Simulators
British Airways Uses Virtual Simulation to Mimic the Joy of Travel
Curated News Apps
‘Nuzzel’ is a New App That Shows Users What Articles Their Friends are Reading
World Coverage Apps
The Apple News App is an Updated Version of Its Original Newsstand
Community-Building Food Trucks
Dining at This SXSW Kosher Food Truck Redefines Connectivity
Yogurt Food Trucks
Liberte Creates a Fun Out-of-Store Experience That's Great for Summer
Wi-Fi Reward Programs
Subway's Mobile Loyalty Incentive Treats Patrons Who Access Wi-Fi
Boomer E-Biking Adventures
An Endeavor to Break the World Record for Electric Bicycling in Europe
SMS Lunch Services
Toronto's Gob is a Service That Lets You Order Lunch by Text Message
Pizza Payment Sharing
Papa John's PayShare Feature Allows Users to Split the Bill
Dating App Album Promotions
EDM Producer Zedd Has Launched His New Album on Tinder
Search Engine Loyalty Programs
The Bing Rewards App Provides Perks to the Platform's Users
Restaurant Pre-Order Apps
The Settle Restaurant Payment App Lets You Pre-Order and Pre-Pay
Nacho Chip-Covered Seafood
The Vulgar Chef's Doritos Crusted Shrimp Makes an Interesting Appetizer
Haunted House Apps
The 'Night Terrors' App is a Nightmarish Augmented Reality Game
Animal-Saving Emojis
WWF's Twitter Campaign to Save Endangered Animals Begins with a Retweet
Intimate Musician Videos
Spotify's Entertainment Marketing on Periscope Connects Fans & Music
Presence-Rewarding Apps
Pocket Points Rewards Students for Staying Off Their Phones in Class
Comedy Subscription Services
NBC is Bundling SNL and The Tonight Show for Cord Cutters
Election TV Channels
Channel 4 Aims to Increase Voter Participation by Switching Off Broadcasts
Mobile Payment Beacons
South Africa's SnapScan Service is Offered by Over 40 Merchants
Interactive Produce Stations
Hakuhodo's Talking Food Prototype Lets Farmers Chat with Consumers
Emoji Branding
Laura McQuarrie Counts Down Her Favorite Examples of Emoticon Ad Campaigns
Lucrative Gaming Collaborations
Maker Studios Signed Diamond Minecart for an Explosive Partnership
Stylish Lifestyle Apps
The Tory Daily App Celebrates The Inspiration Behind the Tory Burch Brand
Interactive Interstellar Events
NASA at SXSW Gives a Hands-On Look at Technology and Exploration
Photo Book DIYs
Honestly WTF's Latest Project is a Sentimental Mother's Day Gift
Video Subscription Services
Vessel Video Provides Incentives for Its Content Creators
Hands-Free Payment Devices
PayPal Beacon Connects Consumers and Businesses Wirelessly
Lifestyle Social Networks
The '6Tribes' Lifestyle App Connects Users Based on Interests
Mobile Food Payment Services
The OpenTable App Now Offers Wireless Payment for Android Users
Potato Chip Cookbooks
The Lay's Wavy Brand and Brit + Co Are Teaming Up with Pinterest
Sneaky Beer Ads
This Newcastle Beer Commercial Spoofs Doritos' Super Bowl Contest
Biometric Democracy Apps
The Voatz Voting App Would Enable Users to Cast Ballots with Their Phones
Music Event Apps
The Osheaga Festival Teases Its Lineup in a Mobile Game
Concierge Partnership Apps
The Uber and Zomato Partnership Wants to Bring Over Dinner
Accommodating Loyalty Programs
The Expedia+ Travel Loyalty Program Lets You Cross-Collect Rewards
Concert Tour Analytics
YouTube's Music Insights Tells Artists Where to Route Their Tours
Crystal Collection Apps
The Swarovski 'Just Because' App Makes Earning Points Mobile
Health Video Platforms
The Crowdsourced Medical Videos on ReelDX Act as an Educational Resource
Maximum Mileage Credit Cards
The United MileagePlus Explorer Card Offers 50,000 Bonus Miles
Child-Friendly Video Platforms
YouTube Kids Provides a Safe Place for Children to Watch Clips
Middle Finger Emojis
Microsoft's Window 10 is the First to Offer the Expletive Hand Gesture
Iris-Scanning Smartphones
The Fujitsu Arrows NX F-04G Smartphone Features Iris Scanning Security
Noise-Blocking Earpieces
Eurovision Performances Will Now Include 'Anti-Booing' Tech
Gluten-Free Lifestyle Apps
This Gluten-Free Centre Directory Comes in a Handy Mobile Form
Cheese-Stuffed Taco Shells
The Taco Bell Quesalupa is a Quesadilla and Chalupa Hybrid
Female-Empowering Messaging Apps
The Bumble App for Dating Only Lets Women Start Conversations
Emoji Passcodes
Intelligent Environments Develops an Alternative to Four Digit Bank Pins
Hourly Job Search Apps
ZippyApp Connects Jobseekers With Hourly Wage Job Opportunities
Worker-Rewarding Platforms
AnyPerks Offers Small Companies the Chance to Offer Employee Perks
Crowdfunded Fact Checking Charities
Full Fact Hopes to Fact Check Politics Before the UK Election
Musical Glassware Concerts
Suntory Hall Hosts a 'Glassical Concert' with Unusual Instruments
Youth Employment Apps
The Blazer Job Search App is Like Tinder For Job-Seekers
Aussie Spread-Stuffed Crusts
Pizza Hut Australia Will Be Offering a Vegemite Stuffed Pizza Crust
Feminizing Rugged
Armida Ascano Discusses Brands Empowering Girls of the Millennial Generation
Social Networking Video Players
The Twitter Video Feature Will Be More Like YouTube Than Vine