Meme marketing has become a popular form of advertising in the digital age as brands adapt their content to fit the preferences and sense of humor of Millennial and Gen Z audiences. For Mother's and Father's Day, Mike's Hard Lemonade collaborates with Imgur and Wavemaker on a series of cheeky ads that tackle everyday interactions with parental figures — from the reluctance of a mother to stop embracing her child to the advice of a dad that socks and sandals are ultra-comfortable.
The meme marketing campaign for the holidays is part of Mike's Hard Lemonade's 'The Brighter Times' which focuses on optimism in an age where it is far easier to be a pessimist. In addition to the humorous visual assets, the campaign also hosts a contest, where the brand pledges to fly out "six lucky Imgurians home to surprise mom and dad."
Tongue-in-Cheek Meme Marketing Campaigns
Mike's Hard Lemonade & Imgur Target Millennial Audiences
Trend Themes
1. Meme Marketing - Opportunity for brands to leverage memes to connect with Millennial and Gen Z audiences in a humorous and relatable way.
2. Collaborative Advertising - Collaborations between brands, online platforms, and marketing agencies provide an opportunity for unique and targeted advertising campaigns.
3. Optimistic Branding - Brands can capitalize on the desire for positivity and optimism in marketing campaigns to stand out in a saturated digital landscape.
Industry Implications
1. Alcohol Beverage - Alcohol beverage industry can adopt meme marketing to engage Millennial and Gen Z consumers and differentiate their brands from competitors.
2. Online Advertising - Online advertising platforms can explore collaborations with brands to create meme marketing campaigns that resonate with younger audiences.
3. Marketing Agencies - Marketing agencies specializing in creative and humorous campaigns can partner with brands to develop meme-based advertising strategies.