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What is Guerrilla Marketing? Complete Guide 2024

What is Guerrilla Marketing? Complete Guide 2024

Big results on a small budget? Sounds meh to those sophisticated, well-aligned marketers.

No offence. But can everything on this earth be meant to be perfectly creative? That again sounds dull. Anything predictable, in the ad world, may work for some time but stop working when it has to. Just like those trending reels you scroll through on Instagram— temporary and vague to the point.

With million-dollar budget ad campaigns and celebrity/social media influencer endorsements and whatnot? There exists a scrappier, more unexpected approach. 

That is the one and only GUERRILLA MARKETING.

In a nutshell, if we have to explain guerilla marketing, it’s all about grabbing attention with unconventional tactics, often on a shoestring budget. 

Think of it as the David to the Goliath of old-fashioned marketing.

Surprise, creativity, and a deep understanding of the target audience are what sets Guerilla Marketing apart from other kinds of marketing. It occupies everyday spaces, technology if needed, and even social interaction (or what we call relatable content) to create something great, something different in terms of brand experiences. 

It clearly makes you see what it is and that’s what effortless creativity stands for. No extra effort or decorative language, just a plain theme that everyday people like us can relate to. Know how social media agencies/digital marketing agency or any in-house agency are making the most out of the guerilla marketing to promote the products or services of a brand. Here are some examples of brands that have mastered the art of guerilla marketing.

1. UNICEF's Dirty Water Vending Machine

This have-to-be-added-under-list campaign by UNICEF didn't sell water; it highlighted the lack of it. They installed vending machines that dispensed murky, dirty water, forcing people to confront the harsh reality faced by millions who don't have access to clean water. This social commentary sparked outrage and dialogue, raising awareness for UNICEF's cause.

2. Domino's Paving for Perfect Pizza

Domino's took a playful jab at its past reputation for bad pizza crusts. They paved potholes in cities with branded asphalt, with the tagline "We're so committed to the better crust, we're even fixing the roads." This humorous campaign not only addressed a customer concern but also used a creative solution to increase brand visibility and engagement.

3. Spotify's Cosmic Playlists

Spotify merged technology to target astronomy enthusiasts. They partnered with NASA to create "Cosmic Playlists" based on data from the James Webb Space Telescope. Users could listen to playlists inspired by specific galaxies or nebulae, promoting a unique brand experience that merges music with scientific discovery. Never had a thought about it right?

4. Snickers' "You're Not You When You're Hungry"

Snickers cleverly leveraged the Super Bowl without being a sponsor. They aired a commercial featuring actor Danny DeVito reenacting a scene from the previous year's halftime show, portraying him as grumpy and out of character. The ad subtly hinted at the source of his grumpiness – hunger – perfectly aligning with Snickers' tagline. This low-budget ambush marketing tactic garnered massive online buzz.

5. McDonald's Quarter Pounder Fan Club

In 2020, McDonald's in Sweden wanted to reignite the love for their classic Quarter Pounder burger. Let us take a look at how they did it with a clever guerrilla marketing campaign:

  • What’s the Secret Weapon? A Quarter Pounder Fan Club – McDonald's created a limited-membership fan club specifically for die-hard Quarter Pounder enthusiasts. This exclusivity sparked interest and created a sense of "must-have" around the membership.

  • What are the Perks for the Privileged? Members received a special club card and access to exclusive Quarter Pounder merchandise – from scented candles to T-shirts. This fueled social media buzz as fans shared their unique swag.

  • How FOMO Factor Play a Role Here? By keeping the club membership limited, McDonald's played on the fear of missing out (FOMO) psychology. This piqued the interest of those who weren't yet fans, ultimately driving them to try the Quarter Pounder.

6. Specsavers' 'Epic Parking Blunder'

In this clever guerrilla marketing stunt, Specsavers placed their van on top of a bollard in Edinburgh. The scene fooled many into thinking the driver had made a silly mistake ending with a message– “Book an eye test today”. This social media-worthy campaign highlights the importance of good vision while driving with a touch of sarcasm.

7. Ever Dreamed of Sleeping Next to Mona Lisa?

Not a dream, however a reality provided by way of Airbnb through their fantastic "Night At" campaign. This experiential marketing masterpiece wasn't just about luxury remains; it became about bridging the distance between artwork and hospitality.

  • Louvre Legacy: Forget fancy resorts. Airbnb transformed the Louvre's iconic glass pyramid right into a one-of-a-type bedroom. Guests spent the nighttime surrounded by valuable artworks, developing an unforgettable experience for artwork enthusiasts.

     

  • Beyond the Louvre: The magic failed to forestall there. From drowsing with sharks to exploring the Parisian catacombs on Halloween night (not for the faint of heart!), Airbnb offered precise stays in culturally and traditionally full-size locations.

     

  • The Customer at the Center: This marketing campaign wasn't only a marketing stunt; it turned into approximately developing lifelong clients. Airbnb targeted art aficionados and history buffs, offering them a hazard to immerse themselves in their passions in a sincerely particular way. The social media buzz generated by using those distinctive reports attracted new clients searching for great journey studies.

Airbnb's "Night At" campaign highlights the developing fashion of experience-based marketing. People are craving more than just an area to live in; they want to create memories that ultimate a lifetime.

8. Surreal’s ‘Cereal’ Killer Campaign

Instead of shelling out for A-listers, Surreal hit the streets and found everyday people with the same names as iconic celebrities. Imagine a friendly London bus driver named Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson raving about the cereal's deliciousness! Or a student named Serena Williams giving Surreal a thumbs up (because let's face it, the real Serena wouldn't touch sugary cereal anyway). 

This unexpected twist is bound to grab attention, anyway.

People will be doing double takes, wondering if that's really Dwayne Johnson chowing down on Surreal. It's a social media goldmine waiting to explode, with viewers sharing, commenting, and creating memes about the “imposter celebrities”. This campaign plays on the familiarity of celebrity names while showcasing the everyday appeal of Surreal Cereal. People can relate to the fake celebrities, making the endorsement feel more genuine (even though it's a clever joke).

Hence proved again that you don't need millions for impactful marketing. A blend of badass humour and unexpected casting can make a viral breakthrough, leaving a memorable mark on consumers and reminding them that Surreal is the breakfast choice for those who dare to be different.

Here's a Breakdown of Strategies in Guerilla Marketing

Guerrilla advertising is going past the expected, the use of unconventional approaches to seize interest with limited sources and unlimited creativity.

  1. Environmental: This entails including something fascinating to current out-of-door areas. Think of brief road artwork, projections on buildings, or innovative installations that mix with the environment.

  2. Indoor Invasion: Similar to the environmental approach, this disrupts indoor spaces like malls, libraries, or even toilets with unexpected advertising and marketing factors. Make sure it gels up with the kind of niche your brand serves.

  3. Ambush with Impact: This method applies to present events (live shows, festivals) to sell a brand, frequently without the organizer's permission. Think branded giveaways or clever stunts that steal the highlight.

  4. Experiential Engagement: This is the most interactive form, requiring the target market to participate in the marketing itself. Think pop-up demanding situations, interactive installations, or games that promote the emblem.

  5. Social Media Blitz: This takes over social media platforms to create viral content or interactive campaigns. Think branded AR filters, location-based challenges, or user-generated content contests. Plus, CGI advertising plays a role in influencing the perception of the viewers.

  6. Stencils & Stickers: A classic and low-budget approach, this involves placing stencils or stickers with the brand message or logo in high-traffic areas. Think sidewalks, bus stops, or even unexpected objects like traffic lights (with caution, of course!).

So…What are the Key Takeaways?

  • Surprise, surprise and surprise your audience. Go beyond the expected to create a memorable brand experience.

  • Think outside the box with fewer resources in hand. Make use of everyday spaces, technology, and social interaction in unconventional (and cost-effective) ways.

  • Understand your target audience. Your message and tactics should be the inner voice of the audience’s interests and needs.

  •  Exclusivity Sells. Any campaign that highlights the power of creating a sense of exclusivity and pampering your customers. By offering unique experiences and limited-edition items, you get to attract a large pool of new customers.

  • Don't be afraid to experiment. The beauty of guerrilla marketing lies in its low barrier to entry and the space for creative exploration.

And Be UNAPOLOGETICALLY UNCONVENTIONAL

You might be wondering why a term like “Guerrilla marketing” is needed to distinguish such ads from other common ads. 

In the pre-internet era of the early 1980s, marketing was a one-way street. Businesses blared their messages through traditional channels like television, radio, and print ads, hoping to catch the attention of a passive audience. This all changed with the arrival of the late Jay Conrad Levinson, a business writer with a knack for the unconventional. Levinson, recognizing the limitations of traditional marketing for smaller businesses, coined the term "guerrilla marketing" in his influential book of the same name. This concept, inspired by guerilla warfare tactics, emphasized resourcefulness, surprise, and unconventional approaches to achieve marketing goals.

Fast ahead to a brand new virtual panorama, and guerrilla marketing has passed through a transformation. While the middle concepts of surprise and coffee-price range ingenuity continue to exist, the processes have evolved to multiply the energy of social media, online communities, and interactive content. A logo strategically placing a hidden QR code in a popular online game, main gamers to one-of-a-kind content. These are only some examples of how guerrilla advertising and marketing have adapted to the virtual age.

So, the next time you see a cleverly disguised ad or an interactive brand experience in an unexpected place, you're witnessing the power of guerrilla marketing.  In a world saturated with over-hyped advertising, these unconventional tactics can cut through the noise, proving that big results can ALSO come from a small budget and a whole lot of creativity.

For more updates, follow Brown Men Marketing on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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