Creative Guerilla Marketing Campaigns

With the downturn in the economy and marketing budgets smaller than the Dow Jones average, it’s a perfect opportunity for small business owners to compete in the branding wars. But to do so you have to be creative. Using “guerilla” marketing can be one avenue to make a big, and fun, impression on a small budget. Keep it simple, but make an impression. Try to find ideas that people will respond to, something to lighten their day, such as music, food, children, and art.

We are so overwhelmed with advertising everywhere that it becomes hard for creative agencies to make ads that stand out. Guerilla advertising is a great way to make unusual, surrealistic visuals and situations that passers by will remember. Here is a selection.

1. Superette – Short shorts

The bench that turns you into a walking advertisement if you are wearing short shorts. 

2. Folgers Coffee

Seen in New York, how would you not go grab a coffee there?

Here's something Gothamist has never seen in New York before - advertising on manhole covers. Via coloribus, it seems like Saatchi & Saatchi is doing some guerilla advertising for Folgers coffee. We must say that it's a brilliant use of manholes who, before this, were best used for tattoos. And while it's original, Gothamist doesn't think "mmm...coffee" when we smell some of the steam coming out of manholes. Next up for marketers, printing a vinyl cover with lots of dog poo on it. "Take a whiff, New York. A steaming pile of poo."

3. Submerged Gotham

Cool idea to promote the movie “The day after tomorrow”, it gives the illusion that NYC has been submerged by the waters

To promote the 2004 global-warming disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow to Indian audiences more likely to buy tickets for the latest Bollywood extravaganza, Indian ad agency Contract created a dramatic outdoor campaign for the Mumbai theater Fame Adlabs. They planted a billboard in the sea not far from Mumbai, so that it appeared submerged under water. In addition, the firm placed what looked like the tip of the Empire State Building further out to sea. The idea was to mimic the effect of Manhattan being overwhelmed by a giant wave in the movie—albeit off the Indian coast.

4. Smart Brabus

Small but poweful, I think the message just got across the bridge.

The ad is so simple, but clearly the placement was thought out and in effect really drives the point home. I'm not sure you can convey the convenience of the Smart Car's size any other way. I do find it interesting that there are two car ads on the sides. It creates a great visual that implies parking spots, but I wonder what happens if the ads on either side change to another product. Much of the humor and message is conveyed by being between two other cars and not just a small advertising space.

The second piece is one right up my alley. This display does a great job conveying the idea that the Smart Car is fun and powerful despite its small size. Here is this ad:

5. Looking for Seafood

Shells at the beach, what a great idea to let wanderer explore.