Top 100 Marketing Trends in 2021

From Social Distancing Rebrands to Quarantine Fort Campaigns

— January 24, 2021 — Marketing
Marketing amid the era of social distancing had brands thinking outside the box and this list of 2021 marketing trends highlights the most innovative examples.

Notably, McDonald's Brazil adapted its iconic logo in an act of COVID-19 solidarity. The brand's signature two golden arches of the "M" were separated to represent the life-saving social distancing regulations. The initiative served to minimize the spread of the virus and support communities.

Another intriguing marketing trend was from a furniture brand. To help entertain folks in lockdown, IKEA Russia debuted a quarantine campaign that shows users how to make fun furniture forts. The old-school childhood play was adapted for modern homes to make tents, forts, and castles inside, helping to cheer and entertain those confined to their home.


For more marketing trends in the year ahead, check out Trend Hunter's 2021 Trend Report.
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
95
Digital Halloween Platforms
Digital Halloween Platforms
TREAT TOWN is an App-Based Experience for Virtual Trick-or-Treating
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94
Ground-Breaking Antimicrobial Packaging
Ground-Breaking Antimicrobial Packaging
Returnity and Polygiene Offer Timely Shipping Innovations
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93
Fashion-Forward Custom Gaming Experiences
Fashion-Forward Custom Gaming Experiences
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Engages Streetwear Fans
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92
Economy Class Sleeping Pods
Economy Class Sleeping Pods
The Air New Zealand 'Skynest' Offers Relaxation on Long-Haul Flights
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91
Whimsical Slime Packaging
Whimsical Slime Packaging
Vault49 Curates a Stunningly Playful Design for the Moon Cotton Brand
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90
Self-Isolation-Themed Campaigns
Self-Isolation-Themed Campaigns
Nike Engages in Self-Isolation Advocacy with Its New Campaign
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89
Charitable Online Pop-Up Shops
Charitable Online Pop-Up Shops
Ted Baker Launched 'Ted's Bazaar,' Featuring Exclusive Products
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88
Quarantine-Themed Colouring Books
Quarantine-Themed Colouring Books
'Q is for Quarantine' is Created by Brian Siedband & Gordy Sang
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87
Emoji-Themed Valentine's Day Soaps
Emoji-Themed Valentine's Day Soaps
Lush Cosmetics Debuts a Risqué Valentine's Day Campaign
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86
Gym-Themed Beauty Pop-Ups
Gym-Themed Beauty Pop-Ups
Benefit Cosmetics' BeneFIT Anti-Gym Shares Brow-Shaping Tips
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85
High-End Luxury Sneakers
High-End Luxury Sneakers
The Prada x adidas Collaboration's Second Drop is Scheduled for September
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84
Furniture Brand Apparel Lines
Furniture Brand Apparel Lines
The IKEA Apparel Line is Made for the People of Tokyo
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83
Valentine's Day E-Commerce Guides
Valentine's Day E-Commerce Guides
Ahead of the Romantic Holiday, eBay Creates a V-Day Gift Guide
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82
Social Distancing Rebrands
Social Distancing Rebrands
McDonald's Adapts its Logo in an Act of COVID-19 Solidarity
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81
Warmly Contemporary Bakery Designs
Warmly Contemporary Bakery Designs
Flourist Enlists Ste Marie to Organize a Chic, Modern Interior
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80
Eco-Conscious Cannabis Packaging
Eco-Conscious Cannabis Packaging
ND Supplies Inc. & Calyx Containers Boast Eco Cannabis Packaging
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79
Bubble Wrap Packaging Alternatives
Bubble Wrap Packaging Alternatives
The Botta Eco-Envelope is an Eco-Friendly Packaging Solution
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78
Contactless Sampling Kiosks
Contactless Sampling Kiosks
Vengo's Digital Kiosks Promote Discovery, Wellness and Safety
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77
Social Distancing Headwear
Social Distancing Headwear
Burger King's Crown-Shaped Social Distance Hats Keep People Apart
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76
Quarantine Banking Ads
Quarantine Banking Ads
TD Bank's Dance from Home Was Shot on an iPhone 11 Pro
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75
Mirrored Vending Machines
Mirrored Vending Machines
The Daily Harvest Vending Machines Give Away Pints of Vegan Ice Cream
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74
Fashionably Functional Wear Editorials
Fashionably Functional Wear Editorials
HAVEN's Editorial Brings Style & Functionality Together
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73
Virtually Modeled Fashion Collections
Virtually Modeled Fashion Collections
Pink Label Congo is Making Its Debut on 3D Models
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72
Life-Size Building Block Houses
Life-Size Building Block Houses
The LEGO x Walala 'HOUSE OF DOTS' is Whimsical and Interactive
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71
Artistic Face Mask Coverings
Artistic Face Mask Coverings
The Ai Weiwei Mask Art Project Raises Funds for Humanitarian Causes
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70
Influencer Mask Campaigns
Influencer Mask Campaigns
Hanes Launched the #Maskaround Campaign Urging People to Wear Masks
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69
Virtual Bar Experiences
Virtual Bar Experiences
The Asahi Online Virtual Bar United 1,000 People Drinking Asahi Super Dry
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68
Neon Green Virtual Sofas
Neon Green Virtual Sofas
Crosby Studios Launched a Nike-Branded Augmented Reality Sofa
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67
Branded Interior Design Hacks
Branded Interior Design Hacks
Livet Hemma is IKEA's Branded DIY Blog and It Inspires Creativity
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66
Sliding Cheese Wheel Packaging
Sliding Cheese Wheel Packaging
The 'El Corazon' Cheese Packaging Maintains Freshness
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65
Grunge-Inspired Retro Streetwear
Grunge-Inspired Retro Streetwear
The New JIEDA Line Features a "Tailoring-Driven Aesthetic"
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64
Online Bar Experiences
Online Bar Experiences
BrewDog Open Arms Shares Quizzes, Puzzles and Cook-a-Longs
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63
Travel-Inspired Virtual Backgrounds
Travel-Inspired Virtual Backgrounds
Airbnb Shared a Series of Views to Transport People Outdoors
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62
Disney-Inspired Celebratory High Fashion
Disney-Inspired Celebratory High Fashion
Gucci Unveils a Capsule for CNY with Disney Motifs
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61
Pop-Up Microcinemas
Pop-Up Microcinemas
Oppo Mobile's Cinema in London Lets People Watch Films on Handsets
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60
Adult-Branded Hand Sanitizers
Adult-Branded Hand Sanitizers
The Pornhub Hand Sanitizer Bears the Company's Familiar Branding
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59
Portion Control Pasta Packaging
Portion Control Pasta Packaging
This Spaghetti Packaging by Alesia Lurtcevich Prevents Food Waste
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58
Social Distancing Murals
Social Distancing Murals
Stella Artois' Social Distancing Art Helps People Keep Their Space
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57
Desert-Inspired Luxury Purse Campaigns
Desert-Inspired Luxury Purse Campaigns
Kendall Jenner Stars in Longchamp’s Spring 2020 Campaign
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56
Royal Staycation Caravans
Royal Staycation Caravans
The Royal Caravan Replicates the Queen's Buckingham Palace Residence
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55
Personal Space-Centric Inflatable Jackets
Personal Space-Centric Inflatable Jackets
The Space Optimiser Can Be Inflated Via an Electric Pump
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54
Futuristic Beauty Shops
Futuristic Beauty Shops
Dazed Beauty at Selfridges Introduces the Beauty Counter of the Future
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53
Millennial-Friendly Branding Initiatives
Millennial-Friendly Branding Initiatives
The Samsonite Brand is Looking to Attract Millennials
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52
Multi-Sensory Beauty Pop-Ups
Multi-Sensory Beauty Pop-Ups
The Clarins Lab Offers an Experience That Appeals to the Five Senses
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51
Fashionable Ice Cream Campaigns
Fashionable Ice Cream Campaigns
The Don’t Hold Back Häagen-Dazs Campaign Celebrates Expression
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50
Branded Quarantine Fort Campaigns
Branded Quarantine Fort Campaigns
IKEA's Quarantine Campaign Shows How to Make Furniture Forts
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49
90s Drift Culture-Inspired Fashion
90s Drift Culture-Inspired Fashion
adidas Skateboarding and Metropolitan Work on a SS 2020 Line
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48
Viral Marketing Tactics
Viral Marketing Tactics
Ocean Spray Gifted '420doggface208' with a Cranberry Juice-Filled Truck
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47
Self-Isolation Creativity Platforms
Self-Isolation Creativity Platforms
The Bombay Sapphire 'CREATE FROM HOME' Platform is Interactive
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46
Decorative Product Mash-Ups
Decorative Product Mash-Ups
MÜPOLASH Combines IKEA Belgium's Most Instagrammable Products
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45
Mesmerizing Interactive Sound Installations
Mesmerizing Interactive Sound Installations
Steve Parker's Work is Incredibly Unique and Intricate
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44
Gen Z Back-to-School Campaigns
Gen Z Back-to-School Campaigns
The American Eagle Back to School Campaign Was Created on Zoom
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43
Female Spirit-Inspired Talismans
Female Spirit-Inspired Talismans
The Poet Atticus Joins Pyrrha for a Charitable Jewelry Launch
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42
Innovative Lipstick Sampling Solutions
Innovative Lipstick Sampling Solutions
LIVCER Develops a Sampling Solution Called Livstick
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41
Restaurant-Inspired Virtual Backgrounds
Restaurant-Inspired Virtual Backgrounds
DoorDash's Zoom Backgrounds are for Virtual Dinner Parties
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40
Drink-Holding Ugly Holiday Sweaters
Drink-Holding Ugly Holiday Sweaters
The Hefty Party Cup Parka & Mitten Koozie is Outdoor-Friendly
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39
Modern Condom Brand Identities
Modern Condom Brand Identities
Durex Boasts a New Aesthetic with the 'One Night Sans' Typeface
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38
Satirical Political Fashion Ads
Satirical Political Fashion Ads
The New Balenciaga Editorial for SS20 is a Political Critique
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37
Realistic Hair-Coloring Campaigns
Realistic Hair-Coloring Campaigns
L’Oréal Paris' New Video Was Shot in Eva Longoria’s Bathroom
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36
Game-Inspired Furniture Catalogs
Game-Inspired Furniture Catalogs
IKEA Taiwan Recreated Its Furniture Catalog with Animal Crossing
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35
Provokingly Empowering Candles
Provokingly Empowering Candles
This Daring Goop Candle Went Viral and It Sold Out Very Quickly
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34
Branded Boutique Cafes
Branded Boutique Cafes
The Tim Hortons Boutique Cafe Opens in Toronto’s Financial District
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33
Visually Striking Café Pavilions
Visually Striking Café Pavilions
This Café Pavilion by Morag Myerscough Has Illusionary Properties
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32
AR-Enabled Magazine Covers
AR-Enabled Magazine Covers
National Geographic Created Its First Augmented Reality Cover
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31
Charitable Adult Entertainment
Charitable Adult Entertainment
Pornhub is Giving Italians Free Access to its Premium Membership
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30
Photo-Free Fashion Magazines
Photo-Free Fashion Magazines
The January 2020 Vogue Italia Special Issue Has a Small Footprint
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29
Gamer Exclusive Footwear Drops
Gamer Exclusive Footwear Drops
Players Can Unlock Nike Offerings Through MyPLAYER Nation
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28
Paper Bottle Packaging Concepts
Paper Bottle Packaging Concepts
The Absolut Company Joins Others in a Quest for Sustainability
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27
Pet Behavior-Inspired Products
Pet Behavior-Inspired Products
These Cat Products are Functional and Inherently Stylish
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26
CO2-Made Hand Sanitizers
CO2-Made Hand Sanitizers
The Air Co. Hand Sanitizer is Being Made by the Vodka Brand
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25
Collaborative Tiny Homes
Collaborative Tiny Homes
The IKEA Tiny Home Project Explores the Use of 187 Square Foot Spaces
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24
Paper-Based Beer Packaging
Paper-Based Beer Packaging
Grolsch is Replacing Plastic Shrink Wrap with the Smurfit Kappa TopClip
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23
Self-Explanatory Fast-Food Campaigns
Self-Explanatory Fast-Food Campaigns
These McDonald's Billboards are the Epitome of Minimalism
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22
At-Home Fashion Campaigns
At-Home Fashion Campaigns
Zara's Latest Campaign Shows Models in Their Own Homes
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21
Chic Face Mask Designs
Chic Face Mask Designs
Chico's Offers a Three-Pack of Stylish & Affordable Non-Medical Face Masks
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20
Virtual Fashion Worlds
Virtual Fashion Worlds
The Christian Louboutin Spring 2021 Show Unfolds Within Zepeto
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19
Production Change-Inspired Ads
Production Change-Inspired Ads
New Balance is Now Making Masks to Meet Supply Demand Amid COVID-19
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18
Video Game Virtual Backgrounds
Video Game Virtual Backgrounds
Nintendo Released Downloadable Animal Crossing Wallpapers
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17
Millennial-Friendly Pop-Up Grocery Stores
Millennial-Friendly Pop-Up Grocery Stores
Pop Up Grocer Will Launch a Brooklyn Location in October
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16
Luxurious Face Mask Designs
Luxurious Face Mask Designs
Burberry Boasts a Antimicrobial Mask, Adorned in Its Signature Design
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15
Paper-Made Tube Packaging
Paper-Made Tube Packaging
This Paper Tube Packaging from Toppan Printing is Eco-Friendly
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14
Non-Detergent Shampoo Alternatives
Non-Detergent Shampoo Alternatives
Hairstory's New Wash is a Wash-and-Conditioning Hair Cleanser
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13
Vagina-Scented Incense
Vagina-Scented Incense
Erykah Badu is Debuting a Progressive Incense Aroma on BADU WORLD MARKET
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12
Game-Inspired Beauty Collaborations
Game-Inspired Beauty Collaborations
MAC x Tencent Collection Sold Out Within the First 24 Hours
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11
Self-Isolation Photoshoot Campaigns
Self-Isolation Photoshoot Campaigns
Gucci Launched 'No Photographer, No Problem' for Fall/Winter
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10
Branded Reusable Face Masks
Branded Reusable Face Masks
adidas Has Released 'Face Cover,' Which is Made from Recycled Material
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9
Matching Mask Gift Sets
Matching Mask Gift Sets
Harry Rosen Created Coordinated Shirt & Mask Sets for Father's Day
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8
Luxury Camping Apparel
Luxury Camping Apparel
The North Face X Gucci Just Announced a New Collection with Limited Details
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7
Plastic-Free Noodle Packaging
Plastic-Free Noodle Packaging
The 'Paper Noodle' Packaging by Emily Enrica is 100% Biodegradable
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6
Virtual Fragrance Pop-Ups
Virtual Fragrance Pop-Ups
Calvin Klein Created a Virtual Store & Interactive Experience on Tmall
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5
DIY Cardboard Home Competitions
DIY Cardboard Home Competitions
Dezeen Helps Launch the Samsung Out of the Box Competition
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4
Luxury Fast-Food Branding
Luxury Fast-Food Branding
The McDonald's x Alexander Wang Collaboration Oozes Sophistication
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3
Luxury Fashion-Branded Cookies
Luxury Fashion-Branded Cookies
Supreme Unvieled an $8 Oreo Cookie as Part of Its Spring Series
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2
Provocative Mask Alternatives
Provocative Mask Alternatives
Max Siedentopf's Humorous List Shows Everyday Objects as Face Masks
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1
Printable Coloring Books
Printable Coloring Books
The Adobe Coloring Book Gets New Chapters Weekly
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