It’s hard to recall the last time we saw a photo or video around marketing without a hashtag. Likewise, hashtags have become paramount in online marketing as they fetch relevant information that connects with the target audience.
Every brand or business runs a hashtag campaign in its own way, and we all can take something extraordinary from their efforts. This blog has mentioned the top 5 brand hashtag campaigns that have produced brilliant results. However, first, let us understand why hashtags are important to the marketing world.
Why Do Hashtag Campaigns Hold Such High Importance?
Categories Content
Social media is all about User-generated content. Diverse information related to all kinds of topics is available in the news feed. However, if one wants to fetch information about a specific topic, then hashtags can greatly help. Using a hashtag while posting about a particular topic makes it easier for readers to find relevant information using that particular hashtag. For example, suppose Zara is posting something about its products. In that case, they can use #Zara in their posts which would assist people in finding out about Zara in an effortless manner.
Boosts Your Organic Reach
Organically boosting a brand’s reach is an uphill task. Not every person has the patience and knowledge to organically boost their image, and they generally go towards paid advertising. However, a well-planned marketing strategy around the relevant hashtag can triple the reach of a brand in a quick time. This is because a relevant hashtag in front of the right audience can generate a conversation that attracts relevant people, brands, and businesses. This way, you come into the eyes of new followers and also attract some new followers.
Top Brand Hashtag Campaigns
1. #IceBucketChallenge – ALS Association
Though the ALS Association did not start the #IceBucketChallenge hashtag, the association successfully raised awareness about ALS and a lot of money for its charity work.
This campaign is a brilliant example of how a non-profit business organization should go about its task of organizing a fun and exciting hashtag campaign to raise awareness. Celebrities got involved in this hashtag campaign, and after they performed it, they mentioned their friends’ names with whom they would want to take on the challenge.
The ALS bucket challenge was one of the most effective “non-commercial” viral efforts, and that much is beyond dispute. A bucket of cold water quickly became an instant advertisement for the ALS Association within the first few weeks.
The campaign’s main lesson for marketers is how crucial it is to connect with consumers emotionally. The ALS campaign generated enthusiasm and humor. Watching your favorite celebrity pour a bucket of ice water was enjoyable, which is the feeling you want to appeal to.
2. #TweetFromTheSeat – Charmin Toilet Paper
Thinking outside the box is something that you should definitely cultivate in your hashtag campaign. Charmin Toilet Paper #TweetFrom The Seat showed us how to be unique and capture people’s attention without investing heavily.
Charmin Toilet paper picked people’s habit of using cell phones in their washrooms. Then, it utilized it to raise its brand awareness. They asked people to tweet whenever they were sitting on their toilet seat doing their favorite things like watching videos, listening to music, playing games, etc.
The hashtag campaign was surely a hit as it was unique, extraordinary, and hilarious. No other toilet paper brand promoted their brand, which prompted people to talk about the campaign on social media.
The ALS bucket challenge was one of the most effective “non-commercial” viral efforts, and that much is beyond dispute. A bucket of cold water quickly became an instant advertisement for the ALS Association within the first few weeks.
The campaign’s main lesson for marketers is how crucial it is to connect with consumers emotionally. The ALS campaign generated enthusiasm and humor. Watching your favorite celebrity pour a bucket of ice water was enjoyable, which is the feeling you want to appeal to.
3. #WantAnR8 – Audi
Joanne McCoy used the hashtag #WantAnR8 to express her desire for the Audi R8 V10 in a tweet to Audi of America. Unfortunately, the company saw the tweet and sent the scorching car to her driveway for the day.
Later, the Twitter hashtag #WantAnR8 evolved into a full-fledged competition. Hundreds of competitors began tweeting to win the privilege of driving an Audi for only one day. Unexpectedly, the hashtag was first used in 2011 and has been used in over 75,000 tweets since the campaign started.
All people were required to do was to tweet with the hashtag #WantAnR8, and they would get to drive an Audi R8 for a day.
The ALS bucket challenge was one of the most effective “non-commercial” viral efforts, and that much is beyond dispute. A bucket of cold water quickly became an instant advertisement for the ALS Association within the first few weeks.
The campaign’s main lesson for marketers is how crucial it is to connect with consumers emotionally. The ALS campaign generated enthusiasm and humor. Watching your favorite celebrity pour a bucket of ice water was enjoyable, which is the feeling you want to appeal to.
4. #OREODunkSweepstakes – OREO
It’s hard to find someone who does not like eating their Oreo cookies by dunking them in a glass of milk. Well, that is exactly what the Oreo brand, as their customers, do. Dunk! They asked them to post on Instagram while dunking the oreo cookies in a glass of milk and win a VIP dunking experience in LA or New York.
The involvement of famous celebrities such as Christina Aguilera, Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. and Shaquille O’Neal took this hashtag campaign to new heights.
This hashtag campaign showcased the power of influencer marketing. Of course, you don’t particularly need to hire celebrities to promote your brand. However, if you create a fun and exciting hashtag, you can attract celebrity influencers to your campaign. Since these celebrity influencers have such a huge follower base, the word-of-mouth marketing they receive would be insane!
Top Brand Hashtag Campaigns
1. #IceBucketChallenge – ALS Association
Though the ALS Association did not start the #IceBucketChallenge hashtag, the association successfully raised awareness about ALS and a lot of money for its charity work.
This campaign is a brilliant example of how a non-profit business organization should go about its task of organizing a fun and exciting hashtag campaign to raise awareness. Celebrities got involved in this hashtag campaign, and after they performed it, they mentioned their friends’ names with whom they would want to take on the challenge.
The ALS bucket challenge was one of the most effective “non-commercial” viral efforts, and that much is beyond dispute. A bucket of cold water quickly became an instant advertisement for the ALS Association within the first few weeks.
The campaign’s main lesson for marketers is how crucial it is to connect with consumers emotionally. The ALS campaign generated enthusiasm and humor. Watching your favorite celebrity pour a bucket of ice water was enjoyable, which is the feeling you want to appeal to.
2. #TweetFromTheSeat – Charmin Toilet Paper
Thinking outside the box is something that you should definitely cultivate in your hashtag campaign. Charmin Toilet Paper #TweetFrom The Seat showed us how to be unique and capture people’s attention without investing heavily.
Charmin Toilet paper picked people’s habit of using cell phones in their washrooms. Then, it utilized it to raise its brand awareness. They asked people to tweet whenever they were sitting on their toilet seat doing their favorite things like watching videos, listening to music, playing games, etc.
The hashtag campaign was surely a hit as it was unique, extraordinary, and hilarious. No other toilet paper brand promoted their brand, which prompted people to talk about the campaign on social media.
3. #WantAnR8 – Audi
Joanne McCoy used the hashtag #WantAnR8 to express her desire for the Audi R8 V10 in a tweet to Audi of America. Unfortunately, the company saw the tweet and sent the scorching car to her driveway for the day.
Later, the Twitter hashtag #WantAnR8 evolved into a full-fledged competition. Hundreds of competitors began tweeting to win the privilege of driving an Audi for only one day. Unexpectedly, the hashtag was first used in 2011 and has been used in over 75,000 tweets since the campaign started.
All people were required to do was to tweet with the hashtag #WantAnR8, and they would get to drive an Audi R8 for a day.
4. #OREODunkSweepstakes – OREO
It’s hard to find someone who does not like eating their Oreo cookies by dunking them in a glass of milk. Well, that is exactly what the Oreo brand, as their customers, do. Dunk! They asked them to post on Instagram while dunking the oreo cookies in a glass of milk and win a VIP dunking experience in LA or New York.
The involvement of famous celebrities such as Christina Aguilera, Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. and Shaquille O’Neal took this hashtag campaign to new heights.
This hashtag campaign showcased the power of influencer marketing. Of course, you don’t particularly need to hire celebrities to promote your brand. However, if you create a fun and exciting hashtag, you can attract celebrity influencers to your campaign. Since these celebrity influencers have such a huge follower base, the word-of-mouth marketing they receive would be insane!
Wrapping Up!
Creating a unique hashtag campaign serves a brand brilliantly as it brings benefits from all corners of the world. Therefore, while creating a hashtag campaign, one should look unique, fun and exciting as it would pull in people. Also, celebrities could help you catalyze your objective of boosting the brand image.
