Going above and beyond the average type of imagery and brand logo is often a creative advertising strategy, and these surreal marketing techniques are illustrating how utilizing imaginative and dream-like qualities often serves to make a bold visual impression.
While certain retailers choose to market their products through simply showcasing the design and function, others are looking at strategies outside-the-box, creating ads that are complex, irrational and utterly mind-blowing. The use of surreal imagery in campaigns serves to promote more than just a simple product or service, but rather it showcases an overall story and theme that viewers can easily remember.
From inverted landscape auto ads to colossal cereal campaigns, these surreal marketing techniques are providing a unique form of advertising, one that allows viewers to experience a whimsical and imaginative concept.
32 Surreal Marketing Techniques
From Surreal Fashion Art Campaigns to Paradise Deodorant Ads:
Tana Makmanee — Jun 27, 2013 — Marketing
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Surreal Ad Photography
'Pickpockets' by Romain Laurent
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Surreal Submerged Fashion Ads
The Wonderland Couture by Feline Blush Campaign is Magical
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Human Shearing Ads
The Uniform Jeans Verano Esquilate Campaign Sheds Fur for Summer
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Gagafied Car Editorials
The 'Another Day, Another Adventure' for Mini Cooper Editorial is Dynamic
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Surreal Snake Neck Campaigns
Amuse Fashion Socks Ads Invite the Creative Wearing of Wool
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Gravity-Defying Ads
‘This is a Crazy World' Turns Reality Upside-Down
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Surreal Digital Ads
These Amazing Taylor James Creations Redefine Amazing Marketing
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Surreal Saturated Fashion Stories
The Roberto Cavalli 'Psychotic Love' Photoshoot is Cinematic
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Surrealist Activewear Campaigns
These RIG Utility Clothing Advertisements are Fantastical
22
Imaginative Child Curiousity Ads
Matteo Pozzi Answers Children's Questions Via Wonderful Artwork
21
Surreal Skydiving Commercials
'Experience Human Flight' is a Stunning View of an Extreme Activity
20
Surrealist Ads
Dali & Magritte Inspired VW Polo BlueMotion Campaign
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Surreal Cultural Campaigns
David Lachapelle's Special T Ads Enter Three Magical Worlds
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Surreal Coffee Ads
Folgers Clears Up Complicated Mornings
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Inverted Landscape Auto Ads
The Mercedes-Benz Airmatic Campaign Drives on Air
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Surreal Fashion Art Campaigns
Ignasi Monreal Graphic Illustration for Joyce S/S 2013 is Stunning
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Surreal Liquid Flavor Ads
The Exito Agua Campaign Promotes Seven Layer Protective Bottles
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Surreal Investment Ads
AE Investimentos Print Campaign Uses Dali Creations
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Epic Sports Ads
The Eurosport TV Commercials Will Get Your Heart Racing and Your Palms Sweaty
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Monumental Alcohol Ads
The Absolut Vodka Campaign is Impressively Celebratory
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Surreal Sweetheart Ads
The Sonimagfoto & Multimedia Photolovers Campaign is Bizarrely Amorous
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Sleekly Surreal Vidvertising
This Celsius X VI II Commercial Leaves One Wanting More
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Whimsical Childlike Lookbooks
The Lesia Paramonova 2013-14 Collection is Inspired by Uniforms
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Exotic Terrain Campaigns
The Land Rover 'Go Beyond' Ads Travel to Remote Landscapes
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Paradise Deodorant Ads
Become One of the Freshest Places on Earth with the Old Spice Campaign
6
Floating Ornament Fashion Ads
The Dior for Printemps Holiday 2012 Campaign is Festively Surreal
5
Footstep-Following GPS Ads
The Samsung Galaxy Campaign Shows Its "Just like You've Been There"
4
Surreal Technicolour Ads
Dreamscape in Target's Colour Campaign is Bright and Beautiful
3
Flowing Chocolate Ads
Cadbury Flake 'Unfold' is a Beautiful Peaceful Commercial
2
Colossal Cereal Campaigns
The Honey Shreddies Ads Advertise Sweet Taste
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Mining Artifact Ads
The Scania Campaign Advocates Updated Machinery for the Industry
Related Ideas
Pastel-Dyed Hair Lookbooks
The Marc By Marc Jacobs Resort 2013 Collection is Excessively Youthful
Golden Beach Fashion Ads
Dylan George and Abbot + Main Fall 2012 Campaign Stars Kate Upton
Modernized '50s Lookbooks
The For Love & Lemons Pre-Fall 2013 Catalog Stars Daria Pleggenkuhle
Romantic Storyline Lookbooks
The Free People Roshambo Rock Catalog Stars Sheila Marquez
Greyscale Glamazon Editorials
The OOB Magazine 'Black Fire' Photoshoot Stars Stella Vaudran
Submerged Model Editorials
Flora Borsi's Grim Photos Displays a Captivating Darkness
Golden Chained Fashion Ads
The Patrick Owen Spring 2013 Campaign is Soft and Edgy
Elizabethan-Inspired Fashion
The Alexander McQueen Fall 2013 Lookbook is Regally Dramatic
Minimalist Swimsuit Lookbooks
The Nasty Gal May 2013 Catalog Stars a Frolicking Anna Ewers
Flipping-Off Leader Ads
The Reporters Without Borders 2013 Campaign Addresses Controversial Issues
Touchscreen Bracelets
F. Bertrand's Watch the Future is Like a Wearable Smartphone
Surfer Girl Swimwear
The Kore Swim 2013 Lookbook is Shot in a Sunny San Francisco
Bad-Ass Teenage Formal Fashion
The Nasty Gal Anti-Prom Lookbook Targets Young Statement-Makers
Friendship-Inspired Lookbooks
The Loeffler Randall Pre-Fall 2012 Catalog Stars Non-Models
Femininized Menswear Fashion
The Oki-ni Styled by Ruben Moreira Editorial Stars Joe Brotherton
Ethereal Pink Perfume Campaigns
Daphne Groeneveld for Dior Addict Spring Summer 2012 is Ravishing
Stunning Surreal Semblances
The Zane Turner Encaustic Wax Works are Insanely Intricate Depictions
Hipster-Approved Skater Styles
The Getting Cozy WWD Editorial is Youthfully Edgy
Complete Camera Smartphone Concepts
The 'iPhone Pro' Turns Apple to High Quality Captures
Graphic Patterned Fashion
The Fashion Magazine 'High Contrast' Editorial Stars Samantha Rayner
Nocturnal Savanna Fashion Ads
The Night for Animale Spring 2013 Campaign Stars Constance Jablonski
Jobless-Celebrating Ads
The Benetton 'Unemployee of the Year' Campaign Recognizes Artistic Souls
Fairy Tale Flapper Lookbooks
The GHD Scarlett Collection Campaign Features a 1920s Snow White
Euro Diva Campaigns
The Alberta Ferretti for Macy's SS12 Ads Star a Retro Mariacarla Boscono
Hallucinatory Nightmare Apparel
The Sleep Terror Graphic T-Shirt Designs are Wickedly Awesome
Colorfully Serene Catalogs
The Aizel SS13 Lookbook Showcases Elegant Urban Ensembles
Dreamy Duo Fashion Ads
The Max&Co. Fall 2012 Campaign is Captured on a Crisp Autumn Day
Carved Literature Sculptures
This Series by Guy Laramee Will Take Your Breath Away
Gray-Haired Rockstar Campaigns
The Record Planet Print Ads Show Old Legends Still Rocking Out
Pale Romantic Fashion
The Mango Summer 2013 Lookbook is Effortlessly Elegant
Effortlessly Elegant Fashion
The W Magazine July 2013 Editorial Stars Model Andreea Diaconu
Compressed Object Ads
The Honda 'Everything Fits Easier' Campaign Promotes Its Spacious Trunk
Dark Flirty Fashion
The Jennifer Morris AW13 Collection is Playfully Feminine
Feather Turbine Ads
The Dow Chemical Company Campaign is Imaginatively Whimsical
Suicidal Animal Ads
The China Environmental Protection Foundation Campaign Urges Human Help
Subtly Experimental Beauty Looks
The Sunday Times Style May 19 2013 Editorial Stars Karlie Kloss
Hungry Brain Ads
The Garage Films Photo Events Campaign Features Disturbing Severed Heads
Iconic Innovation Illustrations
The Faster Horses Poster Series Celebrates Landmark Inventions
Splattered Sunglasses Collaborations
The Anthony Lister Colab Collection is Funky Yet Classic
Food-Shaped Animal Ads
The LifeBuoy Hand Wash Ad Campaign Shows 'You Eat What Your Touch'
Religion-Satirizing Fashion Ads
The Robert Kalinkin SS13 Campaign is Full of Double Entendres
Posh Preoccupied Looks
This Apple & Eve Campaign is Savvy and Subtle
Subtly Victorian Fashion Ads
The Links of London Fall 2012 Campaign Stars a Romantic Codie Young
Projector-Equipped Smartphones
The Samsung Galaxy Beam is a Step Ahead with Hologram Capabilities
Layered Ladylike Fashion
The COVHERlab Nuclear Skies AW13 Collection is Eccentrically Elegant
Exotic Futuristic Fashion Ads
The Emporio Armani Fall 2012 Campaign is Set in Tokyo
Daydream Photo Depictions (UPDATE)
Zach Ahern Captures Surreal Scenarios from his Imaginative Mind
Fallen Moon Captures
These Photos by Leonid Tishkov and Boris Bendikov are Stunning
Glam Gem Editorials
The Deluxe 'Jewel Power' Photoshoot Stars Model Ieva Laguna
Phallic Weapon Ads
The Lovestore Make Love, Not War Campaign is Destructively Sensual
Female-Clad Menswear Ads
The Saint Laurent SS13 Campaign Stars a Boyish Saskia de Brauw
Painfully Fashionable Drugstore Ads
The NK Pharmacy Campaign Appeals to Stylish Individuals
Poo Trophy Ads
The Bisolax Laxative-Fecal Softener Campaign Shows 'Shit is Not Worth Collecting"
Dual Face Ads
The 2012 International Day of Peace Campaign is Filled With Illusions
Stormy Fashion Ads
The Verlaine Spring 2013 Campaign is Dramatically Dark
Opulent Old-Hollywood Editorials
This Joaquin H. Palacin Series is Glamorous and Retro
Literal Hand-Packed Ads
The Office Depot Bubble Roll Campaign Promotes Protective Packaging
Ivy Blossom Earrings
The Winter Garden Floral Jewelry Collection Uses 3D Printing
Artistically Surreal Editorials
Lucid Dreams by Ina Jang is Full of Minimalism and Color
Futuristic Mirrored Fashion
The Fashion Gone Rogue 'Reflected' Editorial Stars Elina Vasilyevna
Surrealist Activewear Campaigns
These RIG Utility Clothing Advertisements are Fantastical
Folklore-Inspired Fashion
The Andra Andreescu SS13 Lookbook Stars Marina Cebotari
Messy Gum Ads
The First Choice Bubblegum Flavored Milk Campaign Provides a Win-Win Situation
Naughty Comparison Jewel Ads
The T-Diamond 2013 Campaign Revolves Around a Man's Fantasy
Origami Animal Ads
The Rexiine House Campaign Asks People to Wear Artificial Fur
Unintentionally Censored Centerfolds
The Playboy 'This Wouldn't Happen Online' Ads Goes Digital
Worldly Wi-Fi Campaigns
The AmtrakConnect Ads Advertise Internet While Traveling
31 Striking Versace Ads
From Opulence in Marketing to Greek God Fragrance Campaigns
Aged Cartoon Character Ads
The Tounsia TV Campaign Shows That This Network Defies Time
Novel Art Ads
The Filigranes Librarie Campaign Features the Art of Isaac Salazar
Sizzling Indigo Editorials
The Schon! Magazine 'Miami Blue' Photoshoot Stars Bregje Heinen
Deadly Food Ads
The Down to Earth Campaign Urges People to 'Switch to Organic Food While You Can'
Color-Comparing Campaigns
The Etisalat Yellow Pages Print Ads Makes Products 'Stand Out'
Lazy Person Trap Ads
The World Gym 'Run Away' Campaign Encourages People to Get Fit
Dreamy Jewelry Editorials
The Verve 'Treasure Trove' Photoshoot is Full of Dark Accessories
Eccentric Avant-Garde Photography
Philippe Jarrigeon Makes the Ordinary Extraordinary
Quirky Plant-Centric Catalogs
The Need Supply Co. Strange Botany Lookbook is Unassumingly Quirky
Second-Hand Smoking Ads
The Drug & Alcohol Services South Australia Campaign Encourages Health
International Sobriety-Inducing Foods
The Hangover Helper Infographic Shows Alcohol-Inspired Meals
Cosmic Fruit Ads
The Criterion Fine Cut Knives Campaign is Out of This World
Mobile Music Players
The Car Audio Deck Makes Listening to Tunes While Driving More Convenient
Murdered Monster Ads
The Latvian Art Directors Club ADWARDS Campaign is Deadly to Personal Demons
Eccentric Geek-Chic Runways
The Hidenori Kumakiri Fall/Winter 2013 Collection Exudes Elegance
Tear-Inducing Auto Ads
The Chevrolet Drive Carefully Campaign Shows "Speed Can Make People Suffer"
Technicolor Toy Car Installations
'Toy Atlas Rainbow' by David T. Waller is Playfully Colorful
Signature Celeb Style Ads
The GQ Teaching Men to Style Campaign Encourages Better Fashion Sense
Infectious Hand Ads
The Colgate Protex Balance Antibacterial Soap Campaign is Fit for the Family
Chewy Lollipop Ads
The Chupa Chups Now with Gum Campaign is Simple and Retro
Angelic Donor Ads
The Centraide of Greater Montreal Campaign Shows 'Donating is Uplifting'
Digital Product Placement Videos
Impossible Software Uses Dynamic Content to Punch Up Ads
Pepper Spray Phones
The SmartGuard Defense Mechanism Keep You and Your Phone Safe
Celebratory Gallery Campaigns
The Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo Ads Salutes Its 64th Birthday
Female Fastpitch Ads
The NPF Softball Played Hard Campaign Shows Girls Playing Better than Boys
Sacrilegious Shockvertising
The Latest Print Ads for Borgia are Sinful
Animalistic Constellation Ads
The Johannesburg Zoo Night Tours Campaign Promotes Starry Sightings
Angled Auto Ads
The Volkswagen Side Assist Ad Campaign Makes a Serious Point
Fashionable Voting Campaigns
The Wildfox Says Vote! Ads Targets Young and Stylish Americans
Hovering House Campaigns
The 'Orphea: Home, Roulotte, Camping' Ads Fight Bugs with Levitation
Luxury Popstar Pop-Ups (UPDATE)
Barneys Gaga's Workshop Soon to be Unveiled
Fabled Restaurant Campaigns
The Caminho de Casa Print Ads Take a Fairytale Turn
Bouncy Eyeball Camera Campaigns
The LG Optimus 3D Ad Captures the Full Experience
Sled-Ditching Santas
The Volkswagen Jetta Ad Campaign Shows 'You'll Do Anything to Drive It'
Risky Driving Ads
The SJ Swedish Rail Campaign Offers a Smarter Way to Travel
Luminous Red-Headed Lookbooks
The Heikejarick SS13 Collection is Ethereal and Stormy
Surreal Sinister Captures
The Ajani Photography Series is Eery
Whimsical Childlike Lookbooks
The Lesia Paramonova 2013-14 Collection is Inspired by Uniforms
Clover Search Campaigns
The Sears Optical Ads Demonstrates Improved Eyesight
Paper Diorama Ads
The Colsubsidio Book Exchange 2013 Campaign is Inspired by Fairy Tales
Flocking Object Photography
Swarms by Thomas Jackson is Slightly Sinister
White Residue Detergent Ads
The Tide Absolute Campaign Keeps Clothes Lasting Longer
Sleek Spaceship Scales
The Medisana TargetScale is Out of This World
Matador-Inspired Ads
The Moschino Spring 2012 Campaign Stars an Adventurous Kasia Struss
Close Encounter Toy Ads
The LEGO Meet Your Imagination Campaign is Adventurously Thrilling
Mini-Me Nappy Ads
The Ninet Diapers Ultra Absorbent Campaign is Hilariously Surreal
Roller Coaster Car Campaigns
The Volkswagen Tiguan Ads Shows How Exciting Off-Roading Is
Rudolph-Inspired Ale Ads
The Church End Brewery Reinbeer Campaign Boasts Red Noses and Antlers
View-Obstructing Belly Ads
The Sport Life Fitness Club 2013 Campaign Urges Fitter Vacations
Blurred Landmark Auto Ads
The Renault Master Camping Car Campaign Likens It to a Must-See Sight
Adventure-Driven Auto Ads
The Volkswagen Space Cross Campaign Relies on People's Imaginations
Glowing Surrealist Headgear
These Bowler Hat Lights Pay Tribute to Artist René Magritte
Spirit-Lifting City Ads
The JCDecaux Good Things Coming Soon Campaign Sends a Positive Message
Guilt-Free Gaming Campaigns
The Coke Zero Video Game Ad Relieves Guys of Responsibility
Cute Pouch Couches
The ALTO Mobili Ad Campaign is 'Oh So Pretty'
Single Charge Smartphones
The 'Around the World on 1 Battery' Video Boasts the Nokia E6
Chocolate Craftsmanship Campaigns
Mike Watt Creates Art with the Last 50 Kit Kat White Bars
Cloud-Collecting Car Campaigns
The Land Rover Defender Ad Reaches for the Sky
Adventurous Automobile Ads
The Mini Countryman 'Infinite Possibilities' Campaign has Potential