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May 2, 2024

5 Examples of Experiential Marketing That Show Why It Works

A customer interacting with a Sol De Janeiro rep at a Toronto Eaton Centre pop-up event

Capturing the attention of consumers requires more than just traditional marketing methods. That’s where experiential marketing comes into play—it’s an innovative approach that creates immersive, memorable experiences for consumers, fostering deeper connections with brands.

This marketing strategy isn’t just a trend; in fact, statistics show that it has a higher success rate than other forms of marketing and drives more business value, especially in terms of engagement, sales, advocacy, and brand awareness. 

That said, not all experiential campaigns are created equal. Some truly stand out above the rest—a testament to the power of effective marketing. In this article, we’re shining the spotlight on 10 exceptional examples of experiential marketing that prove why it deserves a spot in your business’ marketing playbook!

1. Barbie Movie’s Malibu DreamHouse

Aerial view of the Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse at sundown

Image source: @airbnb

Greta Gerwig’s film interpretation of Barbie wasn’t just the highest-grossing movie of 2023—it’s also the 14th-highest-grossing film of all time

Its box office success resulted from a highly effective strategy that combined the power of social media, brand partnerships, and one of the best examples of experiential marketing campaigns to date: the opportunity to rent out Barbie’s DreamHouse. 

Two lucky guests were invited to stay at Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse, a life-sized replica of the iconic home, during the promotional period leading up to the film’s release in 2023. While the in-person experience had a limited run, it generated significant social media buzz and media attention for the movie.

Key Takeaway: Transport your audience to a real-life immersive experience that allows them to step into your world—this type of engagement marketing creates lasting memories!

Related article: Beyond the Screen: 5 Viral Movie Marketing Campaigns

2. Audible Sound Experience at SXSW

South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual music, film, and interactive media conference held in Texas that attracts a diverse and engaged audience. Naturally, that makes it the perfect place for immersive experiential event marketing efforts.

Audible capitalized on the crowd-pulling power of SXSW by pulling a crowd of their own. Through over-the-top carnival experiences and games, the renowned audiobook and podcast platform curated one of the best experiential marketing examples we’ve seen. 

The Audible Sound Experience offered targeted experiences, including:

  • A “sonic ferris wheel” with audio-enabled passenger gondola
  • Carnival-inspired, audiobook-themed games (with branded prizes!)
  • An afterparty with exclusive live performances

What made this activation so engaging and memorable wasn’t just the fun activities—the entire interactive experience was cleverly tied back to Audible's vast content library. 

Key Takeaway: Combine creativity and technology to create experiential marketing events that highlight your products or brand. Don’t forget to incorporate your brand’s messaging into the experience!

3. Red Bull’s Stratos Space Jump

Red Bull’s Stratos Space Jump is one of the best examples of experiential marketing events. This campaign literally took the energy drink brand's penchant for extreme stunts to new heights—specifically, 127,852.4 ft into the stratosphere.

In this noteworthy marketing campaign, the brand sponsored Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking freefall jump from the stratosphere. As viewers tuned in live across the globe, Red Bull captured the thrill of this death-defying space dive and etched its brand into a historic spectacle.

The results? 

Even now, this experiential marketing campaign remains a landmark achievement. That’s why it’s one of the top experiential marketing examples on our list.

Key Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to push boundaries. Find innovative ways to engage your audience while communicating your brand message.

4. Lean Cuisine’s #WeighThis Campaign

In 2015, the frozen food brand Lean Cuisine shifted its messaging from a diet brand to a healthy lifestyle company. How did they do this? Through sparking a viral cultural conversation with the #WeighThis campaign. 

The idea was to shift the focus on women’s accomplishments instead of their weight. To do this, Lean Cuisine asked women about their greatest successes in life, and artist Annica Lydenberg hand-painted their responses on 250 bathroom scales mounted on a temporary wall in New York’s Grand Central Station—one of the best experiential marketing examples showcasing the power of immersive art installation.

This experiential marketing strategy did more than raise Lean Cuisine’s positive brand perception and sales. It also reduced negative conversations around the brand on social media.

Key Takeaway: Align your brand with a purpose and actively stand by it—whether it’s social impact, environmental causes, or community support—to engage emotions and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

5. Sol de Janeiro Toronto Product Launch

A pair of women posing in front of a photo station in Sol de Janeiro’s pop-up store 

The greatest examples of experiential marketing have clear and specific goals. In the case of Sol de Janeiro’s recent brand activation, the objective was to introduce its new product line to the Canadian market.

Hitting these goals called for an experiential campaign with a splash. Using a combination of influencer marketing and an immersive pop-up store in a high-traffic location, they increased brand awareness, generated excitement, and motivated buyers to purchase their product on the spot.

The direct engagement from this experiential marketing event resulted in a drastic surge in sales, with the brand selling out its entire inventory at the Sephora Toronto Eaton Centre location. It also helped solidify Sol de Janeiro’s foothold in the Canadian market.

Key Takeaway: Don’t limit your efforts to just one channel. Explore a mix of experiential marketing strategies that suit your audience and product.

Create Experiential Marketing Campaigns That Work

The best examples of experiential marketing have one thing in common: they tap into a target audience's desires, aspirations, and wildest dreams to create an emotional connection. But pulling off immersive activations that generate that level of buzz and audience connection is no easy feat.

That’s where Concierge Club comes in. As an award-winning experiential marketing agency, we’re passionate about curating effective campaigns that captivate audiences, increase engagement, and leave a lasting impression.

Since 2011, our experiential marketing team has helped some of the biggest companies in North America exceed their marketing goals. From immersive pop-up stores to experiential events that drive business growth, your success is our success.

If you’re interested in creating show-stopping experiential marketing campaigns, Concierge Club is the team to execute it to perfection. Contact us today and let’s bring your brand to life with one-of-a-kind experiences!