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30 Daring Marketing Experiments

From Hypnotic Furniture Stunts to Mind-Controlled Car Promos

— March 27, 2015 — Marketing
In contrast to scripted commercials, many brands are setting up marketing experiments in order to get authentic reactions from existing and prospective customers. These experiments are designed to do things like test skills and prove how far a fan will go for their favorite product. In some cases, these experiments even help to build trust with a brand, since comfort zones are often pushed to their limits. One of the greatest examples of this a Bud Light Super Bowl ad that asks one guy if he is "Up for Whatever," and has him taken on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure where anything can happen.

Although multiple actors are usually involved in the setup of these elaborate marketing experiments, the real reactions from one person are enough to totally transform how a product is perceived by an audience.
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
30
Endurance Shopping Challenges
Endurance Shopping Challenges
This Beck's Beer Experiment Asks Guys to Compromise
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29
Romantic Chocolate Experiments
Romantic Chocolate Experiments
This Valentines Chocolate Ad Demonstrates the Science Behind Love
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28
Spontaneous Beer Campaigns
Spontaneous Beer Campaigns
Heineken's World Cup Decision Rewarded One Guy Who Said 'Yes'
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27
Anti-Abuse Taxi Rides
Anti-Abuse Taxi Rides
KAFA's Driving Change Campaign Makes for an Uncomfortable Taxi Ride
<
26
Tissue Gifting Experiments
Tissue Gifting Experiments
This Marketing Experiment from Kleenex Challenges People to Share
<
25
Judgemental Public Pianos
Judgemental Public Pianos
This Al Bustan Festival Marketing Stunt Draws Crowds with a Chatty Piano
<
24
Hypnotic Furniture Stunts
Hypnotic Furniture Stunts
IKEA's Furniture Ad Spellbinds a Real Couple with Hypnosis
<
23
Pop-Up Phone Calls
Pop-Up Phone Calls
The Bulmers Commuter Experiment Attempts to Spark Conversation
<
22
Mysterious Phonecall Campaigns
Mysterious Phonecall Campaigns
Heineken & Fred Armisen Want You to Pick Up the Payphone That Rings
<
21
Musical Vending Machines
Musical Vending Machines
This Water Vending Machine Gives Out Treats If You Play Nicely
<
20
Camera-Embedded Bras
Camera-Embedded Bras
Nestlé FITNESS' Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Involves a Hidden Camera
<
19
Social Experiment Alcohol Ads
Social Experiment Alcohol Ads
'Project Open-Minded' by Somersby Cider Tactically Gets Men Dancing
<
18
Uncompassionate Poverty Experiments
Uncompassionate Poverty Experiments
The Pilion Trust Tests Concern for Poverty in London
<
17
Furniture Store Feline Experiments
Furniture Store Feline Experiments
IKEA Let 100 Cats Run Rampant in 'Herding Cats' Experiment
<
16
Friendship-Testing Pranks
Friendship-Testing Pranks
This TV Promotion Turns Friends into Accomplices
<
15
Social Silencing Experiments
Social Silencing Experiments
Heineken’s Quiet Please Experiment Asks Loud New Yorkers to Hush
<
14
Chewing Gum Experiments
Chewing Gum Experiments
Beldent's Chewing Gum Test Shows How Approachable Gum Makes You Look
<
13
Free Cash Experiments
Free Cash Experiments
Ice Customer Rewards Tries to Catch the Eyes of Consumers
<
12
Underage Smoking Experiments
Underage Smoking Experiments
YTV Network's Social Experiment Video Makes Smokers Question Health
<
11
Guerilla Stunt Webinars
Guerilla Stunt Webinars
Dove Hosted a Q&A Webinar to Take the Audience Behind the Scenes
<
10
Playful Soccer Vending Machines
Playful Soccer Vending Machines
The Pepsi Football Vending Machine Tests Your Soccer Skills
<
9
Warmth-Sharing Campaigns
Warmth-Sharing Campaigns
SOS Mayday Asks: Would You Give Up Your Jacket to a Child in Need?
<
8
Musical Beer Sale Experiments
Musical Beer Sale Experiments
Heineken Hosted an Experiment with DJ Armin Van Buuren
<
7
Adventurous Beer Drinker Ads
Adventurous Beer Drinker Ads
The 2014 Bud Light Super Bowl Ad is Full of Celebs and Surprises
<
6
Beer Brand Travel Experiments
Beer Brand Travel Experiments
Departure Roulette Participants Board Plane to Unkown Places
<
5
Wandering-Eye Experiments
Wandering-Eye Experiments
The 'What Girls Look At' Video Reveals the Secret Minds of Women
<
4
Mind-Controlled Car Promos
Mind-Controlled Car Promos
The Hyundai i30 Online Hypnosis Experiment is a Head Trip
<
3
Social Beer Experiments
Social Beer Experiments
The Carlsberg Bikers Stunt Turns a Movie Theatre into a Bar
<
2
Fast Food Reality Experiments
Fast Food Reality Experiments
Mediocre Films Explores If Real Food Can Look Like the Fast Food Ads
<
1
Personal Fragrance Finder Shops
Personal Fragrance Finder Shops
The Fragrance Lab by Selfridges Perfectly Matches You to a Perfume
<