15+ Video Marketing Examples: How the Top 10 Brands Went Viral?

Viral is a term we hear all the time. 

This video went viral, and that video went viral; it’s like these phrases spark curiosity. They make people want to check it out. 

What really makes a video blow up like that? Or what gets a brand’s video to go viral?

• 82% of users bought products after watching a marketing video.
• 55% said YouTube videos influence them to buy a product.
• 95% of marketers have seen the craze of short-form video content.

[Source: Webfx| Video marketing statistics]

Your brand video needs to go viral to get noticed. 

Let’s check out some of the biggest viral marketing campaigns that made brands millions!

Brands	Viral Video Names
Nike	You Can’t Stop Us
Apple	Shot on iPhone
Dove	Stop the Calling
Adidas	Impossible is Nothing
Zara	Spring Summer
CocaCola	Share a Coke
Starbucks	Holiday Cheers
Tesla	Cybertruck Reveal
Toyota	Start Your Impossible
BMW	The Joy of Driving

What Makes Video Marketing Viral?

No one can actually tell you what strategy or what kind of video will make you go viral in one night. You won’t get the guaranteed formula anywhere. But there is a loophole: If you want your video to go viral, you can do a few things to up your chances. And what are those?

1. Emotional Appeal and Relatability

• Evoke Strong Emotions: Your video needs to have a kick that will trigger different emotions in the audience. These can include laughter, tears, anger, or anything that is likely to be shared with others.
• Relatability: This is very important. We humans share things with others that we think are relatable. It means a video that you can relate to your own experience or aspiration. 
• Authenticity: Another thing your video has to be genuine and authentic that can capture both hearts and minds.

2. Social Sharing and Platform Algorithms

• Shareability: Your goal is to reach as many as audience you can. That will happen if your video gets more shares. So, design the video format in a way that is easily shareable across different platforms.

• Platform Optimization: When uploading the video, ensure it follows each platform’s specific algorithm and audience preferences.
• Leverage Influencers: Find a good influential figure to collaborate with. It will give your video more reach and credibility. 

Check out How to Make a Viral Video for Your Brand?- Effective Tips & Tricks – LocalEyes

The Top 10 Brands and Their Viral Campaigns

Campaign 1: Nike- “You Can’t Stop Us”

Nike’s “You Can’t Stop Us” campaign was all about celebrating unity, resilience, and the human spirit. The video showcases athletes from various sports training together during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The ads give away the message of perseverance. It got love from millions of viewers and was shared on different platforms.

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Appeal: The ad brings out a strong sense of hope and inspiration.
• Celebrity Power: Featuring famous athletes and celebrities added impact to the campaigns.
• Timely Relevance:  The video addressed the global issues that were at the top of the minds of many. 

Campaign 2: Apple- “Shot on iPhone”

Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign gives a glimpse of many known celebrities and how the phone is capable of taking some of the best shots on smartphones. 

The whole ad was around the creativity and artistry of everyday people. Through this campaign, Apple said out loud that their phones should be your go-to devices for photography and videography.

Key Takeaways:

• Visual Appeal: Each shot was worthy of catching viewers’ attention. The visuals were high-resolution and inspiring.
• Brand Associations: The campaigns strengthen Apple’s presence and reputation for innovation and quality.

Campaign 3: Dove- “Stop The Name Calling”

Dove’s “Stop The Calling Name” campaign shows how societal beauty standards create low self-esteem in little girls. 

How body shaming and racism damage young girls’ confidence daily in the name of funny banter. Calling them hurtful names can leave traumas for many. 

This campaign went viral and sparked a global conversation about self-esteem and body image.

Key Takeaways:

• Social Impact: The campaign addressed serious issues in society and its beauty standards and inspired positive changes.
• Emotional Storytelling: The video’s narrative was both heartbreaking and thought-provoking.
• Brand Reputation: Dove has continually solidified its place as a brand that promotes diversity and self-acceptance.

Campaign 4: Adidas- “Impossible is Nothing”

As always, Adidas has something different to offer. Their “Impossible is Nothing” campaign was a token of appreciation for all those athletes who never gave up. 

The ad celebrated athletes who push the boundaries of human potential, inspiring many aspiring athletes and evoking motivation.

Key Takeaways:

• Inspirational Messaging: The messages encourage aspiring footballers and motivate them to try before they give up.
• Emotional Appeal: It showcases the emotion of being in the playground, connecting with the viewers on an emotional level.
• Brand Association with Sports: Adidas showcases how their shoewear is connected to the world of sports.

Campaign 5: Zara- “Spring Summer”

Zara has launched yet another campaign featuring fast-paced fashion for spring/summer. This particular campaign shows how a simple piece of clothing can make a man look drop-dead dashing. 

The whole ad is visually striking, featuring a handsome mafia-like model. The goal is to attract consumers to Zara’s stores and websites. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Visual Appeal: The location, the model, and the stunning clothes capture the attention of millions within a couple of hours.
2. Trendsetting: With this campaign, they once positioned themselves as a leader in fashion trends.
3. Brand Associations with Fashion: Zara’s image as a fashionable brand became visible worldwide.

Campaign 6: Coca-Cola- “Share a Coke”

Coca-Cola created an amazing campaign in which you can customize Coke bottles with names. 

The ad was all about reconnecting with old friends and family and sharing joy. The brand encourages sharing through Coke, which amazes millions of people. This brand video generated sales and brand loyalty, particularly among younger consumers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Personalization: The idea of the campaign is very unique and has a personal touch to it.
2. Social Engagement: The ad encourages sharing and interaction, which makes a positive impact on society.

Campaign 7: Starbucks- “Holiday Cheer”

Starbucks’s “holiday cheers” often feature heartwarming stories, festive visuals, and humor skits. 

The campaign put together all of the holiday joy in one place. The ad creates a sense of nostalgia and happiness throughout the video. 

Of course, the warm Starbucks drinks energize you to make more memories with your loved ones.

Key Takeaways:

1. Humorous: The ad gives a funny puppet voice and dialogues to create laughter and lighten mode to bring more attention.
2. Emotional Appeal: Elicits feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia.
3. Brand Associations with Starbucks: Connects Starbucks with positive holiday experiences.

Campaign 8: Tesla- “Cybertruck Reveal”

The whole ad was filled with a dramatic presentation of the first even cybertruck. It was a very unconventional product launch. 

The video creates a huge buzz at first look. It created curiosity among millions of viewers. The reveal of this campaign generated massive media coverage. 

Key Takeaways:

• Shock Factor: The campaign creates surprise and excitement among consumers.
• Innovation: Highlights Tesla’s commitment to innovation and future technology.
• Brand Associations with Future Technology: Position Tesla as a leader in electric vehicles.

Campaign 9: Toyota- “Start Your Impossible”

This campaign highlights the struggles of real-life people with their boundaries and shows how they are overcoming the challenges. 

The ad’s main focus is Toyota’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The campaign improved Toyota’s brand image more than before.

Key Takeaways:

• Inspirational Messaging: The brand video aims to motivate and inspire audiences to overcome their obstacles.
• Social responsibility: highlights Toyota’s commitment to social and environmental issues.
• Brand Associations with Quality: The video regains Toyota’s reputation for reliability and quality.

Campaign 10: BMW- “The Joy of Driving”

Most BMW brand videos focus on their vehicles’ driving experiences, performance, and luxury. This one is the same. The video shows the electrifying presence of the newly launched BMW series, which caught the attention of many who love to experience something new. 

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Appeal: It connects with the desire for adventure and excitement.
• Aspirational Lifestyle: The ad portrays a luxurious and desirable lifestyle.
• Brand Associations with Luxury: It makes BMW feel like a top-notch luxury brand.

The Secret Sauce Behind Viral Success

Storytelling: Connecting Emotionally with the Audience

• Relatable Narratives: Comes with a story that can audience relate to their personal experiences and emotions.
• Emotional Triggers: Try to inspire action and bring emotions to the surface. These can be laughter, tears, or anger.
• Authenticity: Real and authentic stories have the power to build trust and credibility.

Call to Action: Motivating Viewers to Engage

• Claer and Concise: Make the call to action easy to access and follow.
• Incentivize Sharing: You can add rewards or incentives for educators to share the video.
• Create a Sense of Urgency: Add limited-time offers or challenges to drive immediate action.

Timeliness: Leveraging Trends and Current Events

• Riding the Wave: Hop on trending topics and hashtags to reach a wider audience.
• Adapting to News Cycles: Generate content that reciprocates to current events and news stories.
• Seasonal Campaigns: Creating video content with seasonal events and holidays.

Relatable Reads: Brand Video Production: Show Your Brand’s Story with Powerful Videos – LocalEyes

Platforms for Viral Video Marketing

Once you’ve made your video, picking the right platform to share it can really influence whether it takes off or not. Some platforms have a better chance of making your video go viral. Here are a few popular platforms for video marketing:

YouTube	→ Long-form videos → Strong search engine optimization → Engaged Community	→ Perfect for in-depth tutorials, → reviews, and storytelling Increase visibility and organic traffic → Build a loyal following through likes and comments
TikTok	→ Short-form and trend-focused content → Algorithm-driven feed → Creative tools and effects	→ Ideal for catchy ideas → High potential for rapid growth → Easy to create engaging video
Instagram Reels	→ Short-form video format → Large user base → Integration with Instagram stories	→ Focus on Instagram’s aesthetic → Reach a broader audience → Seamlessly share Reels with your stories

Tips for Creating Viral Video Campaigns

• Figure out your target audience’s age, gender, location, income level, and education
• Find their interest, hobbies, values, and lifestyle.
• Monitor their purchasing habits, brand loyalty, and media consumption.
• Track metrics like views, likes, shares, and comments.
• Try different video formats, lengths, and messaging.
• Take good consideration of audience feedback.
• Design videos that look great on smartphones and tablets.
• Vertical video or social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
• Create eye-catching thumbnails to encourage click
• Make short and snappy videos.
• Use relevant hashtags and shareable links.

Check out How to Build a Strong Connection with Your Vlog Audience? Expert Tips for Success

Frequently Asked Questions