Guerrilla marketing is an advertising strategy that seeks to utilize low-cost and sometimes unconventional tactics that are high impact. First coined by Jay Conrad Levinson in his 1984 book of the same title, guerrilla marketing works best on existing customers who are familiar with a brand or product and its particular characteristics.
Aspect | Explanation |
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Definition | Guerrilla Marketing is an unconventional and creative marketing strategy that relies on low-cost and unconventional tactics to promote a product, service, or brand. It often involves surprising and engaging consumers in unexpected ways to generate buzz and attention. |
Key Concepts | – Creativity: Innovative and out-of-the-box thinking to create memorable and unique marketing campaigns. – Low Budget: Emphasis on cost-effectiveness and maximizing results with minimal financial resources. – Surprise Element: Unexpected and attention-grabbing tactics to create buzz. – Unconventional Channels: Utilization of non-traditional marketing channels and platforms. |
Characteristics | – Ambush Marketing: Often involves “ambushing” or intercepting the attention of the target audience at unexpected moments. – Memorable: Aims to create lasting impressions and memorable experiences. – Viral Potential: Campaigns designed to go viral and be shared widely. – Risk-Taking: Requires taking risks and challenging conventional marketing norms. |
Examples | – Flash mobs in public spaces to promote a brand or product. – Clever and provocative graffiti or street art campaigns. – Viral social media challenges or contests. – Pop-up stores or events in unexpected locations. |
Advantages | – Cost-Effective: Achieves results with limited financial resources. – Memorable: Creates lasting impressions and word-of-mouth buzz. – High Impact: Often generates significant media and public attention. – Creative Freedom: Allows marketers to think outside the box and be unconventional. |
Challenges | – Risk of Backlash: Unconventional tactics may sometimes backfire or offend audiences. – Limited Control: Guerrilla campaigns can be difficult to control once they are out in the public domain. – Measurement: Can be challenging to measure and track the success of guerrilla marketing efforts. – Legal and Ethical Concerns: May raise legal and ethical issues, especially in public spaces. |
Adoption Trends | Guerrilla Marketing continues to be popular among brands and marketers looking to create memorable and impactful campaigns in a cluttered advertising landscape. The rise of social media has also provided new avenues for guerrilla campaigns to go viral. |
Conclusion | Guerrilla Marketing is a creative and cost-effective marketing strategy that relies on unconventional tactics to create memorable and impactful campaigns. While it can generate significant buzz and attention, it also carries risks and requires careful planning and execution. Marketers must be prepared to think outside the box and take calculated risks to succeed in guerrilla marketing. |
Understanding guerrilla marketing
Unconventionality is the key to guerrilla marketing because it creates a buzz and gets people talking.
Guerrilla marketing gets its name from guerrilla warfare, where small, independent groups use irregular tactics to fight a larger, unified force.
Effective guerrilla marketing campaigns take consumers who are engaged in their daily lives by surprise – tying emotions to a brand in the process.
Guerrilla marketing is cost-effective in that it seeks to repurpose existing promotional content in the environment the target audience operates in.
The real “cost” of this technique is in the ability to think in a creative fashion and create buzz around a brand at minimal expense.
The ultimate goal of guerrilla marketing is to create enough buzz that campaigns go viral online.
Thus, these campaigns are usually executed in highly visible public spaces including parks, shopping malls, beaches, and at sporting events.
Types of guerrilla marketing
Guerrilla marketing may appear to be relatively specialized at first glance, but there are several sub-types.
Outdoor/street
Outdoor marketing adds a surprise element to existing urban environments. For example, Volkswagen hung cartoon thought bubbles over parked cars of various competitor models in Dubai.
The thought bubbles read “I wish I was a Volkswagen.”
Numerous cancer awareness organizations have also placed morgue toe-tags on sleeping sunbathers to start conversations about sun protection.
Indoor
Indoor guerrilla marketing is most commonly seen in shops, train stations, and public thoroughfares and can be more targeted than outdoor marketing.
Guinness created custom advertising that wrapped around pool cues in pubs, reminding players to make the very natural association between pool and beer.
A Swiss skydiving school also used stickers on the floors of public elevators to simulate the view a consumer might have while plummeting to the ground.
Experiential
Experiential guerrilla marketing involves the design of immersive or pop-up experiences that allow consumers to get a “feel” for the brand.
These experiences are usually sensory in nature and foster emotional bonds between brands and consumers.
Energy drink Red Bull partnered with extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner to document the world’s highest skydive, solidifying the catchphrase “Red Bull gives you wings” among loyal fans.
Paper towel company Bounty left giant, edible popsicles on the streets of New York to melt in the sun with an accompanying billboard reading “Makes small work of big spills.”
Other interesting cases of Guerrilla Marketing
A great example of outdoor guerrilla marketing below.
Also great copyrighting in the right street environment can be a great guerrilla marketing tactic.
Another great example of transforming a bench into a real-life shaped KitKat.
- IKEA’s “Everyday Fabulous” Bus Stop: In a bus stop ad campaign, IKEA transformed a regular bus stop in London into a cozy living room, complete with IKEA furniture, inviting commuters to experience a taste of home comfort while waiting for their buses.
- McDonald’s “Follow the Arches” Campaign: In Brazil, McDonald’s ran an innovative guerrilla marketing campaign by removing its logo and just displaying the iconic golden arches. The idea was to show that the brand was so well-known that people recognized it without the name.
- Carlsberg’s “Probably the Best Poster in the World”: Carlsberg placed interactive billboards in London and Sweden that dispensed free beer to people who could open a bottle in front of the billboard, creating a fun and engaging experience.
- Red Bull’s Flugtag: Red Bull organized the Flugtag (Flight Day) event where teams built homemade flying machines and launched them off a platform into the water. It’s an experiential marketing campaign that emphasizes the brand’s “gives you wings” slogan.
- National Geographic’s “Shark Bus”: To promote their Shark Week programming, National Geographic transformed a public bus in Australia into a lifelike shark, making it appear as if the bus was being eaten by a giant shark.
- Oreo’s “Daily Twist” Campaign: To celebrate their 100th anniversary, Oreo launched the “Daily Twist” campaign, creating 100 different Oreo-themed ads over 100 days, each one tying into a current event or pop culture reference.
- The Economist’s Red Wagon: The Economist placed red wagons filled with copies of their magazine in various locations in New York City. This eye-catching display symbolized “The Economist is red hot.”
- Airbnb’s Floating House: To promote listings in Australia, Airbnb floated a house on the Sydney Harbor. This house showcased Airbnb’s unique and unconventional lodging options.
- WWF’s “Ink Only What You Need” Campaign: The World Wildlife Fund printed documents with animal-shaped fonts to encourage people to save ink and reduce waste, emphasizing their message of conservation.
- Axe’s “Susan Glenn” Campaign: Axe (known as Lynx in some countries) launched a mysterious campaign that featured billboards with the text “Susan Glenn: If you can’t change your girl, change your deodorant.” The campaign generated buzz as people tried to figure out who Susan Glenn was and what it meant.
Key takeaways:
- Guerrilla marketing is a low-cost, high-impact form of unconventional marketing.
- Guerrilla marketing relies on the element of surprise to form emotional bonds between consumers and brands.
- Guerrilla marketing has many indoor and outdoor applications. It can also be used so that consumers experience a brand before buying from it.
Key Highlights of Guerrilla Marketing:
- Definition: Guerrilla marketing is an advertising strategy characterized by low-cost, unconventional tactics that have a high impact. It was coined by Jay Conrad Levinson in 1984 and is most effective with existing customers familiar with a brand.
- Unconventionality: Unconventional approaches are central to guerrilla marketing, creating a buzz and generating word-of-mouth attention.
- Inspiration from Guerrilla Warfare: The term “guerrilla marketing” draws inspiration from guerrilla warfare, where small, independent groups use irregular tactics against larger forces.
- Surprise and Emotion: Effective guerrilla marketing campaigns surprise consumers in their daily lives, evoking emotions and forming connections with a brand.
- Cost-Effective: Guerrilla marketing repurposes existing promotional content within the target audience’s environment, making it cost-effective. The real cost lies in creativity and generating buzz with minimal expense.
- Viral Potential: The ultimate goal is to create enough buzz for campaigns to go viral online. These campaigns are often executed in highly visible public spaces.
- Types of Guerrilla Marketing:
- Outdoor/Street: Adds surprise elements to urban environments, such as creative car decals or thought-provoking displays in public spaces.
- Indoor: Seen in shops, train stations, and public areas, it can be more targeted and interactive.
- Experiential: Involves immersive or pop-up experiences that allow consumers to connect with a brand on a sensory and emotional level.
- Examples:
- Volkswagen’s thought bubbles on competitor cars in Dubai.
- Guinness wrapping pool cues in pubs for association with the brand.
- Red Bull’s partnership with Felix Baumgartner for a high-altitude skydive.
- Bounty’s giant, melting popsicles on New York streets with a clever billboard.
- Visual Examples: The provided Pinterest links showcase excellent instances of outdoor guerrilla marketing, copyrighting in street environments, and creative transformations of everyday objects into brand-related items.
Related Frameworks | Description | When to Apply |
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Ambush Marketing | – A marketing strategy where a brand associates itself with an event or property without being an official sponsor. Ambush Marketing aims to capitalize on the visibility and audience of the event while avoiding the costs and restrictions associated with official sponsorship. | – When seeking to gain exposure and visibility around major events without being an official sponsor. – Employing Ambush Marketing to generate buzz, hijack competitor efforts, and maximize brand exposure effectively. |
Experiential Marketing | – A marketing approach that focuses on creating immersive and memorable experiences for consumers to engage with a brand directly. Experiential Marketing involves interactive activations, events, and installations that evoke emotions, drive engagement, and foster brand connections. | – When aiming to create meaningful interactions and emotional connections with target audiences. – Implementing Experiential Marketing to drive brand awareness, encourage trial, and deepen customer relationships effectively. |
Street Marketing | – A form of guerrilla marketing that targets consumers in public spaces using unconventional tactics such as street art, flash mobs, or guerrilla projections. Street Marketing aims to capture attention, spark curiosity, and generate word-of-mouth buzz in high-traffic areas. | – When seeking to engage with consumers in urban environments and create buzz around a brand or product. – Leveraging Street Marketing to disrupt consumer routines, drive foot traffic, and generate viral content effectively. |
Viral Marketing | – A marketing strategy that relies on consumers to spread a brand’s message rapidly through social sharing and word-of-mouth referrals. Viral Marketing campaigns often leverage compelling content, humor, or controversy to encourage sharing and engagement. | – When aiming to reach a wide audience quickly and generate buzz around a brand or campaign. – Creating Viral Marketing content that resonates with target audiences, encourages sharing, and drives organic reach and engagement effectively. |
Influencer Marketing | – A marketing strategy that involves collaborating with influential individuals or personalities to promote products or services to their followers. Influencer Marketing leverages the credibility, reach, and influence of influencers to amplify brand messages and drive consumer engagement and purchasing decisions. | – When aiming to reach specific niche audiences and leverage the influence of individuals with large social followings. – Partnering with influencers to authentically endorse products, create sponsored content, and drive brand awareness and sales effectively. |
Guerilla Public Relations (GPR) | – A PR strategy that employs unconventional and attention-grabbing tactics to garner media attention and coverage. Guerilla Public Relations (GPR) involves creative stunts, events, or campaigns designed to generate buzz, spark conversations, and secure press coverage for a brand or cause. | – When seeking to generate media coverage and enhance brand visibility through creative PR initiatives. – Using Guerilla Public Relations (GPR) to create newsworthy events, tell compelling stories, and earn editorial coverage effectively. |
Buzz Marketing | – A marketing technique that aims to generate excitement, anticipation, and word-of-mouth buzz around a product or campaign. Buzz Marketing relies on creating intriguing or provocative content, leveraging influencers, and encouraging early adopters to spread the word organically. | – When aiming to create anticipation and generate viral buzz around a new product launch or marketing campaign. – Deploying Buzz Marketing tactics to ignite consumer interest, drive social sharing, and build momentum effectively. |
Undercover Marketing | – A stealth marketing tactic where brands promote products or services to consumers without them realizing they are being marketed to. Undercover Marketing involves integrating product placements, endorsements, or brand messaging seamlessly into everyday situations or entertainment content. | – When aiming to create subtle brand exposure and influence consumer perceptions without overt advertising. – Implementing Undercover Marketing to reach audiences authentically, build brand affinity, and drive purchase intent effectively. |
Grassroots Marketing | – A marketing approach that focuses on building support and momentum from the ground up, often targeting local communities or niche audiences. Grassroots Marketing involves grassroots organizing, community engagement, and leveraging word-of-mouth referrals to drive brand awareness and loyalty. | – When seeking to build brand loyalty and advocacy within specific communities or among niche audiences. – Engaging in Grassroots Marketing activities to mobilize supporters, foster community connections, and drive positive word-of-mouth effectively. |
Shockvertising | – A marketing strategy that uses shocking or controversial imagery, messages, or themes to capture attention, provoke emotions, and stimulate dialogue around a brand or social issue. Shockvertising aims to break through clutter, challenge norms, and leave a lasting impression on viewers. | – When seeking to create memorable and impactful advertising campaigns that stand out from competitors. – Employing Shockvertising to spark conversations, drive social sharing, and raise awareness effectively. |
What is an example of guerrilla marketing?
An example of outdoor guerrilla marketing is when Volkswagen hung cartoon thought bubbles over parked cars of various competitor models in Dubai. The thought bubbles read, “I wish I was a Volkswagen.”
What are the types of guerrilla marketing?
Three main types of guerrilla marketing are:
Visual Marketing Glossary
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