Halloween is a strategic time for brands looking to capture public attention through advertising campaigns that are as creative as they are spooky.
Companies are competing with ingenuity to stand out by betting on impactful visuals, engaging stories, and interactive elements.
In this article, we highlight some of the most memorable and successful Halloween advertising campaigns, starting with those that made their mark in Europe.
Burger King and humorous horror in France
Burger King, in collaboration with Buzzman, successfully capitalised on dark humour and fear to capture the attention of its audience.
The ad video shows how the dark atmosphere, reinforced by unsettling visual effects, plunges viewers into suspense worthy of the best horror films.
This blend of terror and comedy is a brilliant way to make the brand memorable, while also appealing to a young audience that enjoys this type of visual content.
This "scary but fun" approach allows Burger King to stand out in France, where humorous advertising is part of the brand’s identity.
Burger King and the "3AM Apparitions"
For Halloween, Burger King hits hard with its "3AM Apparitions" campaign. Every night during Halloween week, at 3 am, users of the Burger King app can discover exclusive free meals.
Playing on fear and insomnia, this interactive campaign captivates consumers by creating a real nighttime experience.
The eerie visual, featuring a character startled in bed by the glow of a red digital clock, heightens the mysterious and immersive aspect of the campaign. A brilliant strategy to combine thrills and culinary delight!
Walibi and Halloween events in Belgium
The Walibi amusement park in Belgium knows how to attract thrill-seekers with events specially designed for Halloween.
By turning its attractions into haunted houses and creating a terrifying atmosphere throughout the park, Walibi manages to retain an audience seeking thrills.
Promoting these kinds of events through digital and DOOH campaigns helps generate even more interest among families and young adults looking for seasonal entertainment.
Each year, Walibi establishes itself as a reference for Halloween celebrations in Europe.
Advertising campaigns for noble causes in France
The French Blood Establishment (EFS) took advantage of the Halloween spirit to encourage people to donate blood by associating this action with the celebration of the holiday.
This advertising campaign cleverly subverts the visual codes of horror for a noble cause, proving that it is possible to raise public awareness of a public health issue while adapting to the seasonal festivities.
International ads: Memorable campaigns outside of Europe
Coke vs Pepsi: The battle of giants for Halloween
Few Halloween advertising campaigns have captured attention like the one between Coca-Cola and Pepsi in 2014.
In this iconic campaign, Pepsi had fun dressing its cans as Coca-Cola with a chilling slogan: "We wish you a scary Halloween."
This friendly rivalry between the two beverage giants managed to entertain consumers while creating global buzz. Coca-Cola, in a subtle response, turned the ad around by modifying it with the caption "Everyone wants to be a hero," transforming the disguised insult into a victory.
This advertising duel, brilliantly executed and playful, shows how humour and rivalry can become effective tools for capturing attention during Halloween.
UNICEF and interactive bus shelters in New York
To raise awareness for its "Trick or Treat for UNICEF" campaign, the humanitarian organisation used bus shelters on the streets of New York, enhanced with festive QR codes. These codes allowed passers-by to access an interactive web page where they could explore various UNICEF initiatives and make donations.
This format is an excellent example of how digital out-of-home (DOOH) can be used to combine interactive engagement and support for an important cause, while using Halloween festivities to boost engagement.
NYX Cosmetics: Between makeup and DOOH in New York
With a record investment of $12.2 billion in Halloween celebrations, NYX Cosmetics bet on a DOOH (digital out-of-home) campaign in partnership with JCDecaux.
Through digital screens in bus shelters and newsstands in New York, the makeup brand invited consumers to get ready for Halloween weekend with their products.
This strategy aimed to increase online and in-store sales, while taking advantage of the massive visibility offered by urban screens in a city as iconic as New York.
Conclusion: Thrill and engage with glooh
Halloween is the perfect occasion for brands to experiment with ads that blend thrills, mystery, and creativity. Whether through interactive campaigns, striking visuals, or immersive events, the possibilities are endless.
With glooh, you too can tap into the potential of this season to create impactful and engaging ads, and capture the attention of a wide audience through our innovative advertising solutions.