What’s your marketing moment of 2014? (Poll)

As we sail unknowingly towards a new horizon, we must attempt to accept another ring on our trunk, let go of the familiarity of 2014 and reflect on what the past 365(ish) days had to offer.

From another flurry of Christmas advert-mania to the astonishing viral success of the #IceBucketChallenge, 2014 has given us many notable marketing moments.

Here at .rising we’ve whittled down our most favourite moments, from the biggest fails to the most intelligent reactive marketing. Help us find the best marketing moment from 2014 – and tell us what we’ve missed!

Vote below and peruse the rest of the article to refresh your marketing minds!

[gravityform id=”28″ name=”Poll: Marketing Moments 2014″ title=”false” description=”false” ajax=”true”]

The Selfless Selfie

The astounding success of the #icebucketchallenge and #nomakeupselfie redefined online activism in 2014. The charitable phenomenon left many brands wondering how to replicate the spirit of viral-sharing for commercial gains.

Despite being criticised for its “narcissistic tendencies”, the online explosion was an astonishing example of the undeniable power of the online community, and the rise and rise of viral.

Apple – U2

Highlighting the almost-terrifying power of technology, Apple decided it was a good idea to invade peoples music library’s with U2’s latest album. The imposition, dictator-like move left many displeased.

Apple eventually responded to outraged non-U2 fans following the free giveaway of the band’s latest album, Songs of Innocence, to 500m registered iTunes users by releasing an “album release button”.

PR genius or catastrophic fail?

 

Christmas-mania

This year, the snow-sprinkled aura surrounding Christmas melted on top of the burning battle for Christmas ad supremacy. Top brands released a flurry of high-budget, emotional and hilarious ads to invoke spirit to one and all.

Described as the “UK industry’s version of the US’ Super Bowl ad break” by Marketing Magazine, the bonanza stirred media-wide attention and dominated headlines. But was this your most favourite time of the year?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iccscUFY860

Always #LikeAGirl

Redefining a phrase, this ad’s first-person narrative “beautifully depicted the way in which girls self-censor as they reach puberty; when the term ‘like a girl’ quickly, yet unthinkingly, becomes an insult”, said Marketing Magazine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

Luis Suarez – Bite 

Even if you don’t like football, or the World Cup, the world was astonished and amused by THAT “biting incident”. Liverpool player Luis Suarez bit opponent Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder during a match against Italy, and like all good occasions, brands responded:

Relax, they’re twist off. #biting #ITAvsURU pic.twitter.com/Kj69El7MRE

— Bud Light (@budlight) June 24, 2014

Hey @luis16suarez. Next time you’re hungry just grab a Snickers. #worldcup #luissuarez #EatASNICKERS pic.twitter.com/3RAO537HjW

— SNICKERS® (@SNICKERS) June 24, 2014

 

First Kiss 

The ‘First Kiss’ online video, which featured “strangers kissing” in a range of awkward embraces, was outed as a branded hoax much to the delight of clothing brand Wren Studio.

What was considered a charming social experience fast turned into outcry, after it was revealed that models littered the camera lens.

To date the video has clocked over 93 million views. No doubt that this was an amazing piece of marketing.

#GiveGregTheHoliday

Once upon a time Greg emailed his line manager at Arcadia Group requesting annual leave – what ensued was an email storm, followed by a Twitter storm, followed by some clever reactive marketing from brands across the land.

In the spirit of reaction, brands across the world hijacked the social storm, with brands from TrekAmerica, Bhs and Elemis jumping on the reactive-wagon.

Royal baby.2

As a nation we collectively rang the bells, prepared the commemorative china and dusted off the Union Jack bunting for the news of a second royal pregnancy.

The news of Wills and Kate’s second bouncing baby caught the marketing world by storm, with brands such as Nissan displaying lightening fast reaction times with their social response – created and published just seven-minutes after the royal announcement.

It could be triplets and there would *still* be enough room for the Queen… #XTrail#SevenSeats#RoyalBabypic.twitter.com/k4HiNAb7lq

— NissanUK (@NissanUK) September 8, 2014