l marketing campaigns elp businesses grow their customer base and increase brand awareness. The essence of organic viral marketing sets it apart from conventional marketing campaigns. Organic viral marketing uses user-generated content and word-of-mouth promotion to captivate a larger and more engaged audience, instead of paid advertisements and brand-created content. Leveraging the power of social media platforms, these campaigns can captivate and engage potential customers, resulting in massive success.
We will discuss 10 examples of successful viral marketing campaigns that have had a significant impact on their industries. Digital marketing campaigns such as viral videos, influencer marketing, and personalized content have proven that creativity and digital strategies can lead to amazing results.
So, let’s dive into these inspiring examples and discover the secrets behind their viral success.

YouTube Video: Unveiling the Top 10 Famous Viral Marketing Campaigns That Took the Internet by Storm

What Is Organic Viral Marketing?

Organic viral marketing is a type of marketing that spreads quickly and naturally through user-generated content and word-of-mouth, with little involvement or control from the brand. Organic viral marketing campaigns are unique because they rely on social media platforms and online communities, rather than being controlled by the brand.
Several key characteristics contribute to the success of organic viral marketing. Ensure that the content is easily shareable and connects with the target audience, motivating them to share it with others. Use humor, surprise, or inspiration to increase the chances of the campaign being remembered and shared. Authenticity is also crucial, as consumers are more likely to engage with content that feels genuine.
The benefits of organic viral marketing are vast. Word-of-mouth marketing helps build brand credibility and trust. People trust recommendations from friends and peers more than traditional marketing messages. Furthermore, organic viral marketing allows for direct and meaningful interaction with consumers, fostering a deeper level of engagement and connection. Additionally, when a viral campaign has a positive sentiment, it can create a strong positive association with the brand and attract potential customers to explore further.
Overall, organic viral marketing campaigns have the potential to reach a wider audience with little to no investment, as the message spreads exponentially through consumer interactions. By creating highly shareable content and leveraging the power of social media networks, brands can take advantage of organic viral marketing to build a loyal customer base and achieve massive success.
Infographic: What is Viral Content?

There Are Two Types of Viral Marketing Campaigns

Viral marketing campaigns are now a popular and effective way for brands to reach more people and create excitement about their products or services. This form of marketing relies on users sharing content across various platforms, helping to spread the message organically and achieve massive success. There are two main types of viral marketing campaigns that have proven to be successful in recent years: user-generated content campaigns and influencer marketing campaigns. Let’s take a closer look at each type and explore some examples of their success.

Organic viral marketing

Organic viral marketing is when marketing messages spread rapidly through user engagement, without marketers directly controlling or intervening. Unlike traditional marketing campaigns, organic viral marketing occurs when users voluntarily share content with their networks, resulting in the rapid dissemination of the messages.
In organic viral marketing, the content is typically shared on social media platforms, blogs, or other online channels. The content itself can take many forms, such as videos, images, articles, or memes. What sets organic viral marketing apart is that it occurs naturally, without marketers intentionally setting it in motion.
One classic example of organic viral marketing is Oreo’s “Dunk in the Dark” campaign during the 2013 Super Bowl. When the lights went out in the stadium, Oreo quickly responded with a simple tweet that said, “You can still dunk in the dark.” This clever and timely message went viral, generating a huge amount of shares and engagements. The campaign demonstrated the immense potential of organic viral marketing, as Oreo had minimal control over the way their message spread like wildfire.
Organic viral marketing campaigns must be timely, relevant, and authentic to capture users’ attention and engagement. Marketers should create content that connects with their target audience and motivates them to share it with others. Organic viral marketing can have a valuable impact on brand exposure. Despite the lack of control over the outcome, it is worth considering its potential positive results.

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Amplified viral marketing

In addition to organic viral marketing, there is another strategy known as amplified viral marketing. Unlike organic viral marketing, amplified viral marketing is a controlled campaign where marketers have a more active role in shaping the campaign goals and methods of transmitting the viral message. This type of viral marketing allows marketers to strategically plan and execute their campaigns for maximum impact and reach.
Zoom’s Virtual Background Challenge is a prime example of a highly effective amplified viral marketing campaign. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for remote work and virtual meetings increased a lot. Taking advantage of this prevailing trend, Zoom took the initiative to kick-start the Virtual Background Challenge. The challenge encouraged users to share creative and fun virtual backgrounds during their Zoom meetings.
Infographic: Marketing Strategies and Tactics
Not only did this campaign bring a fresh and entertaining aspect to virtual meetings, but it also allowed Zoom to track the results and effectiveness of their campaign. Zoom used hashtags and promoted their campaign on social media to get new customers, interact with their current users, and reach more people. Marketers had the ability to monitor the campaign’s performance and gather valuable data on user engagement, sentiment, and viral success.
Zoom's Virtual Background Challenge has become very popular. It shows how viral marketing can create excitement and attract customers. Zoom successfully created a viral marketing campaign by controlling its messages and using the right platforms, which helped it connect with its target audience and strengthen its position as a top video conferencing platform.

YouTube Video: 8-Step Plan to Start a Viral Marketing Campaign

Viral Marketing vs. Word-of-mouth Marketing

Viral marketing and word-of-mouth marketing are both powerful marketing tactics that harness the power of social sharing. However, there are key differences between the two approaches.
Viral marketing involves creating and promoting shareable content that has the potential to reach a large audience beyond the initial promotion. Viral marketing is about making and promoting content that people want to share with many others. The goal is to encourage people to share the content with others so that more and more people can see it. Viral marketing campaigns often leverage social media platforms and user-generated content to maximize their impact and engagement.

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On the other hand, word-of-mouth marketing relies on individuals sharing information or opinions about a brand or product within their networks. This can occur through face-to-face conversations, online discussions, or even online reviews. Word-of-mouth marketing creates buzz and awareness, but it fades over time and is harder to control.
One key distinction between the two is control. Brands can shape word-of-mouth marketing by providing positive experiences and marketing messages. In viral marketing, the campaign’s success depends on consumers sharing and promoting the content. This makes it challenging for brands to have direct control over the result.
Viral marketing creates shareable content to extend its reach through social sharing, while word-of-mouth marketing relies on individuals voluntarily promoting a brand or product within their networks. Understanding the differences between these two marketing approaches allows brands to choose the most appropriate tactics to achieve their goals.
Infographic: 5 Strategies for Viral and Evergreen Content

1. Blendtec: Will It Blend?

Blendtec’s viral marketing strategy was a stroke of genius that catapulted the brand into the spotlight. The concept was simple yet captivating: Blendtec’s CEO, Tom Dickson, would blend various objects, from iPhones to golf balls, and showcase the blender’s power on video. These videos, titled “Will It Blend?”, quickly gained traction and went viral.
One of the key elements that made Blendtec’s campaign successful was its ability to create shareable content. By blending unexpected and unconventional items, the videos piqued curiosity and entertained viewers. People loved watching everyday objects being destroyed by a blender. It was funny and shocking, so they shared it a lot.
Another crucial aspect of Blendtec’s campaign was its authenticity. Rather than relying solely on professional actors or models, Tom Dickson, the CEO himself, starred in the videos. Adding a personal touch to the content made it more relatable and genuine, connecting with viewers on a deeper level.
Blendtec’s campaign also leveraged the power of user-generated content. As the videos gained popularity, fans started submitting their own suggestions for objects to be blended. Blendtec embraced this interaction, incorporating user-submitted ideas into their future videos. This not only increased engagement but also created a community around the brand.
Through their “Will It Blend?” campaign, Blendtec achieved the goals of organic viral marketing. Using social media platforms, they were able to reach a large audience. This helped them create brand awareness, build trust, and drive engagement and conversions. Creativity, authenticity, and humor made their approach unique and entertaining. It showed that a brand can have a lasting impact with an organic viral marketing campaign.
Infographic: Marketing Strategies

Blendtec: Will It Blend? Key Aspects That Contributed to Its Success

Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” viral marketing campaign achieved massive success by capturing the attention of a wider audience through its innovative and entertaining approach. Several key aspects contributed to the success of this organic viral marketing campaign.
Firstly, the campaign leveraged user-generated content, encouraging their target audience to submit suggestions of items to blend using Blendtec blenders. This strategy engaged their audience effectively and made sure the content connected with them personally. As a result, the likelihood of the content being shared was significantly increased.
Secondly, Blendtec focused on creating highly shareable and entertaining content. The “Will It Blend?” Videos showcased the power of their blenders by blending unusual items like iPhones and golf balls. The videos were so captivating and entertaining that people couldn’t help but share them with their networks. As a result, the campaign quickly went viral.

YouTube Video: Will It Blend
Additionally, Blendtec enlisted the help of influencers, particularly within the tech and gadget community, to further amplify the reach of the campaign. These influencers shared the videos and spread the word about Blendtec, expanding the audience beyond their existing customer base.
Furthermore, the campaign took full advantage of social media platforms to distribute the content. By utilizing platforms like YouTube and Facebook, Blendtec reached a wider audience and engaged with them on a deeper level through comments and shares.
Overall, Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” campaign succeeded due to its user-generated content, shareable and entertaining videos, influencer marketing, and effective use of social media platforms. These elements worked together to create a viral marketing campaign that captured the attention of a wider audience and generated positive sentiment towards the Blendtec brand.

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2. Dollar Shave Club: Our Blades Are F***ing Great

Dollar Shave Club’s viral marketing campaign, titled “Our Blades Are F***ing Great,” was a monumental success that propelled the brand to new heights. The campaign was created by Michael Dubin, the company’s founder, who wanted to disrupt the shaving industry and offer a more affordable alternative to expensive razors.

YouTube Video: DollarShaveClub.com — Our Blades Are F***ing Great

Elements That Made It a Viral Sensation

1. Humor: The campaign’s witty and irreverent tone resonated with viewers, setting it apart from traditional advertising. The humorous script and clever visual gags added entertainment value and captured the attention of a wide audience.
2. Simplicity: Dollar Shave Club’s message was straightforward and easy to understand. They pointed out the problems with expensive razors and suggested a simple solution: getting high-quality blades delivered to you every month for a low cost.
3. Authenticity: The campaign featured Michael Dubin himself in the promotional video, creating a sense of trust and authenticity. His genuine passion for the product and relatable approach connected with viewers on a personal level.
4. Shareability: The video was designed to be easily shareable, with its humorous content and concise length. Viewers were encouraged to spread the message, which led to widespread sharing on social media platforms.
5. Call to Action: The campaign concluded with a strong call to action, urging viewers to sign up for Dollar Shave Club’s subscription service. This clear and compelling invitation resulted in a significant number of conversions.

Dollar Shave Club’s viral campaign made the brand well-known and highlighted its subscription-based business model. Dollar Shave Club’s funny and straightforward content made it go viral and still resonates with consumers.

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3. Old Spice: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

Old Spice transformed its image with a successful viral campaign called “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like.” The campaign revitalized the brand, making it appealing to a younger audience and positioning it as hip and humorous.

YouTube Video: Old Spice | The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

Key Aspects That Contributed to Its Success

Several key elements played a crucial role in the success of Old Spice’s viral campaign:

1. Humor and Entertainment: The campaign employed witty and tongue-in-cheek humor that resonated with viewers. It featured actor Isaiah Mustafa delivering humorous monologues and absurd scenarios, making the ads entertaining and memorable.
2. Engaging Storytelling: The campaign utilized storytelling techniques that were engaging and easy to follow. The storyline, though surreal at times, was consistent and unfolded in a series of cleverly connected ads.
3. Appealing to Both Genders: While Old Spice primarily targeted men, the campaign cleverly appealed to women as well, suggesting that their partners could smell like the charismatic spokesperson. This broader reach helped to generate interest and word-of-mouth.
4. Interactive Social Media Presence: Old Spice leveraged social media platforms to engage with its audience. The brand responded to comments and created personalized videos for fans, fostering a sense of inclusivity and interactivity.
5. Brand Reinvention: The campaign successfully shifted Old Spice’s image from an outdated brand to a relevant and modern one. It positioned the brand as bold, confident, and unconventional, appealing to a younger demographic.
6. Memorable Catchphrase: The phrase “I’m on a horse” became an iconic tagline associated with the campaign. It gained traction and recognition, solidifying brand recall and sparking conversations.
7. Seamless Integration: The campaign is seamlessly integrated across various platforms, including TV, digital advertising, and social media. This holistic approach maximized its reach and impact.
8. Influencer Collaborations: Old Spice collaborated with popular influencers, expanding its reach and boosting credibility among younger audiences who admired these influencers.
9. Consistent Brand Identity: The campaign maintained a consistent tone, visual style, and brand persona throughout, reinforcing Old Spice’s desired image.
10. Educational Value: The campaign not only entertained but also educated viewers about Old Spice’s products and features, ultimately driving brand awareness and consideration.

Old Spice’s viral marketing campaign succeeded in completely changing its brand image using humor, engaging storytelling, inclusive messaging, interactive social media presence, brand reinvention, catchy catchphrases, seamless integration, influencer collaborations, consistent brand identity, and educational value. All these things came together and made the brand incredibly popular, reaching a bigger audience.

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4. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge took the world by storm in the summer of 2014. People participated in a viral marketing campaign by pouring a bucket of ice water over their heads. They would then challenge others to do the same or donate to ALS research. It quickly gained momentum and became a global phenomenon, raising millions of dollars for the ALS association.

YouTube Video: ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Reasons why it went viral

1. Engaging and shareable concept: The challenge was easy to understand and participate in, making it accessible to a wide audience. People were motivated to join in and share their videos on social media platforms.
2. Strong emotional appeal: The campaign focused on raising awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neurodegenerative disease. The objective was to evoke emotions and motivate people to participate by sharing personal stories and demonstrating the impact of the disease.
3. Celebrity participation: Many celebrities, including actors, athletes, and musicians, took part in the challenge and shared their videos online. Their involvement helped generate widespread attention and encouraged others to participate.
4. Social media amplification: The campaign leveraged the power of social media to spread the word. Participants used hashtags like #IceBucketChallenge, which allowed their videos to be easily found and shared across platforms.
5. Peer pressure and competitiveness: Participants challenged their friends, family members, and colleagues to take part in the challenge. This created a sense of competition and encouraged more people to join in.
6. Feel-good factor: The campaign not only raised awareness for a serious cause but also gave participants a sense of doing something positive and impactful. This motivated them to share their experiences and encourage others to get involved.
7. Community involvement: The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge brought people together and fostered a sense of community. Participants felt connected to a larger movement and were proud to contribute to a worthy cause.
8. Momentum and timing: The challenge gained traction during the summer months when people were more likely to participate in outdoor activities and share videos online. This timing helped in creating a sense of urgency and excitement around the campaign.
9. Organization support: The ALS Association provided resources and guidance to participants, making it easier for them to understand the cause and get involved. Their support and promotion of the campaign helped it reach a larger audience.
10. Fundraising impact: The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge not only raised awareness but also generated significant funds for ALS research. The association raised over $220 million worldwide, resulting in advancements in treatment and support for people affected by the disease.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is an example of how a viral marketing campaign can create a global movement, raise awareness, and make an enormous impact on a cause. Led by the combination of engaging content, emotional appeal, celebrity involvement, social media amplification, peer pressure, and community support.

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5. Nike: Breaking 2

Nike’s captivating viral campaign, “Breaking 2,” aimed to achieve the impossible goal of breaking the two-hour marathon barrier. The campaign documented the journey of three world-class runners as they prepared to make history. Nike’s viral marketing campaign demonstrated its dedication to innovation and pushing limits, capturing millions of people’s attention globally.

Elements that made it successful

1. Inspiring Story: Nike tapped into the universal human desire to overcome challenges and achieve the extraordinary. The campaign’s focus on breaking a long-standing record inspired individuals and instilled a sense of aspiration within them.
2. Emotional Connection: By highlighting the personal stories and struggles of the runners, Nike created an emotional connection with the audience. The campaign evoked feelings of determination, perseverance, and inspiration.
3. Captivating Content: Nike produced high-quality and visually stunning content that captivated viewers. This included documentary-style videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and interactive features that allowed users to track the progress of the runners.
4. Engaging social media: Nike leveraged social media platforms to engage with their audience and generate buzz. The campaign used a hashtag to encourage fans to share their running stories and create interesting user-generated content.
5. Celebrity Endorsement: Nike enlisted the support of world-renowned athletes and celebrities to promote the campaign. This helped increase the reach and credibility of the campaign, attracting more attention and interest.
6. Real-time Updates: Nike provided real-time updates during the actual marathon attempt, creating anticipation and excitement among viewers. This further engaged the audience and kept them invested in the campaign.
7. Nike organized live events like screenings and workshops for fans to watch the marathon attempt together. This created a sense of community and allowed people to connect and engage with the brand on a deeper level.
8. The campaign matched Nike’s strong brand identity by promoting pushing limits, inspiring athletes, and celebrating the spirit of sport. The consistent messaging and visual branding reinforced Nike’s position as a leader in the athletic industry.
9. Partnerships: Nike collaborated with various partners, including scientists and coaches, to support the runners in their quest. These partnerships added credibility to the campaign and highlighted Nike’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
10. Long-lasting Impact: The Breaking 2 campaign left a lasting impact by challenging traditional beliefs about human endurance and inspiring athletes worldwide. It showcased Nike’s dedication to innovation and continued to resonate with audiences even after the marathon attempt.

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Nike’s Breaking 2 campaign highlighted the incredible strength of organic viral marketing. The content has combined storytelling, emotional connections, social media’s influence, celebrity endorsements, updates, interactive experiences, brand identity, partnerships, and a lasting impact. It shows how a well-done viral marketing campaign can engage people all around the world, leaving a strong impact on them.

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6. Evian: The Roller Babies

Evian’s viral campaign, “The Roller Babies,” took the internet by storm with its adorable and entertaining concept. The campaign featured babies roller-skating and performing impressive stunts, all while dressed in Evian-branded t-shirts. Evian’s brand identity as youthful, fun, and full of vitality was effectively showcased to viewers worldwide through this clever and whimsical approach, capturing their attention in a captivating way.

YouTube Video: Evian: The Roller Babies

Factors that contributed to its success

Several key factors contributed to the success of Evian’s “The Roller Babies” campaign:

1. Emotional Appeal: The cute factor of babies roller-skating instantly created an emotional connection with the audience. It evoked feelings of joy, nostalgia, and happiness, making the video highly shareable.
2. Engaging Visuals: The high-quality production value and visually stunning imagery of babies performing stunts captured the attention of viewers. It made the video visually compelling and enjoyable to watch.
3. Humor: The campaign employed humor by contrasting the unexpectedness of seeing babies roller-skating with their adorable outfits. This added an element of surprise and entertainment, further engaging the audience.
4. Memorable Brand Integration: Evian cleverly incorporated their brand by dressing the babies in their branded t-shirts. This subtle integration ensured that the brand was consistently featured throughout the video, reinforcing brand awareness.
5. User-generated Content: The campaign encouraged user engagement by inviting people to share their own videos of themselves or their babies performing similar stunts. This user-generated content amplified the reach of the campaign and created a sense of community.
6. Social Media Amplification: Evian effectively utilized social media platforms to amplify the campaign’s reach. They actively promoted the video through their official channels and encouraged users to share it across their networks.
7. Timing and Distribution: The campaign was strategically launched at a time when viral videos were gaining significant traction online. Evian leveraged this trend and successfully distributed the video across various online platforms.
8. Viral Effect: The inherently shareable nature of the video, combined with the factors mentioned above, created a viral effect. People were excited to share the cute and entertaining content with their friends and family, further spreading the campaign’s reach.
9. Positive Brand Associations: The concept of happy and active babies aligned perfectly with Evian’s brand image of promoting a healthy and youthful lifestyle. This positive brand association resonated with viewers and reinforced Evian’s brand identity.
10. Long-lasting Impact: “The Roller Babies” campaign left a lasting impact on viewers due to its memorable and entertaining nature. It continued to be shared and talked about even after its initial release, further extending its reach and impact.

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Overall, Evian’s “The Roller Babies” campaign exemplifies the power of organic viral marketing. Evian successfully crafted a campaign that deeply connected with people around the world and firmly established its brand identity. They accomplished this by skillfully evoking emotions, captivating viewers with striking visuals, infusing humor, and leveraging user-generated content.

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7. Oreo: Dunk in the Dark

Oreo’s real-time marketing during the Super Bowl blackout became an iconic example of successful organic viral marketing. When the power went out during Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, Oreo seized the opportunity and tweeted an image of an Oreo cookie in the dark with the caption, “You can still dunk in the dark.” This simple yet clever tweet quickly gained traction and became one of the most talked-about moments of the event.

YouTube Video: Oreo dunk in the dark

Reasons why it became a viral hit

1. Timeliness: Oreo’s quick thinking and ability to capitalize on the unexpected Super Bowl blackout allowed them to generate buzz and capture the attention of millions.
2. Creativity: The image of an Oreo cookie in the dark with the catchy caption was a creative and playful response that resonated with audiences.
3. Humor: The tweet’s lighthearted and humorous tone added to its appeal, making it relatable and shareable among viewers.
4. Relevance: The tweet was related to the event, making it more impactful and increasing its chances of being shared by Super Bowl viewers.
5. Shareability: The simplicity and visual appeal of the image made it highly shareable across different social media platforms, amplifying its reach.
6. Human Connection: Oreo’s tweet sparked conversations and created a sense of community among Super Bowl viewers, who engaged with the brand and shared their own reactions.
7. Memorable Brand Integration: The Oreo cookie featured in the image served as a subtle but effective way of reinforcing the brand’s identity and increasing brand awareness.
8. Social Media Engagement: The tweet generated significant interactions, with users retweeting, liking, and commenting on the post, further extending its reach and impact.
9. Media Coverage: The clever and spontaneous nature of Oreo’s tweet caught the attention of both traditional and online media outlets, earning it additional exposure and publicity.
10. Long-lasting Impact: The “Dunk in the Dark” tweet continued to be referenced and recognized years after its release, showcasing the enduring power of a well-executed viral marketing campaign.

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Oreo's quick and creative response during the Super Bowl blackout proves that timely and shareable actions can turn unexpected moments into viral sensations. By effectively leveraging humor, relevance, and human connection, Oreo solidified its brand’s image and gained widespread recognition.

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8. Coca-Cola: Share a Coke

Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign is a perfect example of how a personalized marketing approach can go viral. The campaign was clever. Coca-Cola has changed its logo on bottles and cans. Now, they have popular names and appealing phrases like "Indulge in a Coke with [Name]" or "Enjoy a Coca-Cola with a Friend." This personalized touch made the product more relatable and created a sense of connection among consumers.