The best marketing campaigns of the year (thus far), what to learn from them, and why they worked so darn well [new data]

Cookie-scented physique wash flew off the cabinets. Shaken espressos made a comeback (so long as they’re related to brief ‘n candy blondes), and, oddly, interactive guerrilla advertising and marketing caught a second wind (or whiff?). I believe it’s protected to say that 2025, to this point, has been a chaotically charming yr to be each a marketer and, in flip, devour it.

This yr, tons of digital advertising and marketing campaigns circulated social media channels and group chats, however, because the outdated proverb goes, solely essentially the most stellar stood out. Get the complete rundown of which model moments made the reduce under. Plus, get an inside have a look at why these campaigns carried out so properly with a peek at unique information from HubSpot’s annual State of Marketing Report.

Desk of Contents:

The Newest Knowledge About Advertising Developments You Ought to Know

That mentioned, check out contemporary information from HubSpot’s 2025 State of Marketing Report for an insights-driven perspective on why this yr’s largest and finest digital advertising and marketing campaigns captured the hearts (and pockets) of recent customers all over the place:

• 92% of entrepreneurs plan to keep up or improve their investments in model consciousness in 2025.

• 1 in 4 (25%) entrepreneurs are at the moment exploring creating content material that displays their model’s values.

• The highest reported benefits of utilizing information to tell advertising and marketing technique are: 1) reaching goal audiences extra successfully (35%), 2) rising the ROI of selling efforts (34%), and three) planning media mixes extra successfully (32%).

• The highest reported ways in which entrepreneurs consider the advertising and marketing trade has modified previously yr are: 1) specializing in the shopper and their expertise (44%), 2) creating content material that displays your model’s values (35%), 3) utilizing information to tell advertising and marketing efforts (35%), and 4) utilizing information to show the ROI and enterprise worth of selling efforts (31%).

• Over 70% of entrepreneurs plan to focus on Millennials in 2025.

The Greatest Advertising Campaigns of This 12 months

As I’ve already talked about, 2025 is already shaping as much as be a fairly dope yr for advertising and marketing, notably digital marketing campaigns. From Rhode Pores and skin to Dove and Crumbl Cookie, unconventional, genuine, audience-first advertising and marketing campaigns are setting the usual for what it means to do model id, storytelling, and client visibility proper.

Have a look under for my full listing of selling marketing campaign favorites from this yr to this point (and what you can take away from them):

1. Rhode Skin: Peptide Lip Form Launch

Since its inception in 2022, Rhode Skin has been the talk of the (beauty) town. With a give attention to scent-free, delicate skin-friendly, clear, and easy choices, Hailey Bieber’s first-ever magnificence enterprise was a success with each product launch.

Source

In January 2025, to enrich its rising assortment of lip-specific product choices, Rhode unleashed a brand new showstopper to the wonder rodeo: lip liners. (And whereas I might argue that the wonder trade does not want one other “must-have lip staple,” many magnificence customers, creators, and connoisseurs demonstrated that Rhode’s tackle the sculpted lip was definitely worth the hype and funding.)

Thus, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Form marketing campaign went stay, and the web … went loopy over it — in each and “unhealthy” method (extra context on the “unhealthy” later).

Source

The social media marketing campaign on Instagram featured sporty, movement-focused aesthetics (to characterize the pliability of the particular product) paired with basic 90s it-girl motifs — a signature emblem that Hailey has been recognized to lean into all through Rhode’s branding and visuals — and the faces of Tate McRae in addition to different cool-girl-coded fashions that completely embodied what it means to be a real, glazed Rhode lady.

Source

Source

Now, enter: the “unhealthy” I discussed above. When Rhode’s Peptide Lip Form really arrived in people’ palms, customers had so much to say about how the product was meant to be worn, its shade inclusivity (which has been a misstep for Rhode earlier than; should you don’t find out about it, do a little analysis analysis their initial pocket blush launch), and its precise wear-longevity. The ladies (rightfully) had questions, feedback, and issues!

However, the common magnificence client appeared fairly open to testing Rhode’s latest addition out (whether or not they purchased it themselves or acquired it by way of a PR listing), sharing user-generated content material (UGC) with their followers and feeds, and providing their sincere opinion concerning the product to the world.

I say all of this to say: Blended critiques and all, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Form marketing campaign nonetheless made waves — on-line and IRL. There’s a lot to extract right here — from the model’s advertising and marketing wins to errors — so right here’s what classes I believe you possibly can implement into your subsequent advertising and marketing marketing campaign:

• Lean into aesthetic storytelling. Rhode succeeded by aligning the Peptide Lip Form launch with visuals rooted in flexibility, motion, and 90s nostalgia — an ideal match for Hailey’s model persona and Gen Z’s sensibilities.
• Personal the conversations which might be being had about your services or products, even after they’re messy. Rhode didn’t draw back from person suggestions. After experiencing backlash about shade variety for its blushes, the model confronted their mistake and ensured that its Peptide Lip Form assortment was common and inclusive.
• Let UGC do the legwork. When Peptide Lip Form hit Rhode’s website, it was the customers — not simply the model — who amplified attain. Bolstering client content material made the marketing campaign really feel actual, not overproduced.

Additionally, right here’s a professional tip: For those who want some assist (with out the headache) designing a multi-platform advertising and marketing technique, you would possibly wish to give HubSpot’s Free Marketing Plan Template a attempt. It comes totally outfitted with all of the assets you want — from a SWOT evaluation breakdown to a funds sheet — to plan subsequent your marketing campaign smarter, not tougher.

2. Dunkin’ Donuts: Sabrina Carpenter’s Shakin’ Espresso

Virtually yearly, Dunkin’ sweeps with a celebrity-signed candy deal with launch. Everyone knows it’s coming. I believe all of us virtually look ahead to it. In 2021, it was Charli D’Amelio’s “Charli Cold Foam” beverage; the yr earlier than that, it was Ice Spice and her official Ice Spice Munchkins Drink. However in 2025, Dunkin’ tapped the one five-foot blonde that timelines wouldn’t cease speaking about: Sabrina Carpenter.

Source

In honor of her chart-topping single, “Espresso,” Dunkin’ Donuts collaborated with Sabrina to create a really on-brand model of a Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso. Stamped by Sabrina’s go-to kiss mark and her undeniably contemporary Gen Z wit, this collaboration was actually a match made in advertising and marketing heaven. Dunkin’ even hard-launched this partnership with a hilariously inappropriate — in true Sabrina trend — business. The title? Shakin’ that Ess. (BTW: I laughed out loud, so I know you probably did.)

Whereas most of this marketing campaign was social media-oriented, I believe there are such a lot of explanation why it 1) labored and 2) acquired folks speaking. There’s so much for manufacturers to remove from Dunkin’s energy transfer, so right here’s what I believe is value taking notes on:

• Embrace (pop) cultural timing. Dunkin’ dropped this collab as “Espresso” (and Sabrina Carpenter normally) was nonetheless at peak virality — using the wave of Sabrina’s momentum as a substitute of attempting to concoct buzz.
• Tone-matching is all the things. The Shaken’ Ess marketing campaign embraced Sabrina’s playful, tongue-in-cheek persona completely, which made the marketing campaign really feel extra genuine and fewer manufactured.
• For those who can, embrace the facility of a multi-sensory hook. From the title of the drink to the kiss-mark branding and cheeky video rollout, Dunkin’s marketing campaign rollout hit each touchpoint — visible, auditory, and emotional — turning a celeb drink collaboration right into a full-on model second.

3. Bumble: Amelia Dimoldenberg x Interview Journal

For those who’re chronically on-line (like me), you understand that comic Amelia Dimoldenberg, also referred to as the host of the “Chicken Shop Date” web series on YouTube, is without doubt one of the most endearingly flirty, humorous, and excessive key awkward gals with a platform proper now. And also you wish to know what else is endearingly awkward and in addition prompts a complete lot of guffaws? Discovering love by way of a relationship app.

Source

Fortunately, Bumble, with the assistance of their year-long content material associate, the long-lasting Interview Mag, knew this, took it, and ran with it … with Amelia’s darling hand entangled with their Q1 digital advertising and marketing efforts.

And Bumble’s marketing campaign didn’t simply seize a related face for clicks and views. On the technique facet, the relationship app’s social media advertising and marketing efforts focused Amelia’s private YouTube channel (‘trigger duh) and Instagram, together with their very own native social media channels (primarily Instagram and TikTok), with tons of digestible, short-form video content material to maintain audiences engaged.

From a advertising and marketing marketing campaign perspective, these strikes from Bumble had been good, notably as a result of they were massively called out in 2024 for releasing an anti-celibacy, anti-woman ad. Plus, on one other notice, having turned this marketing campaign into an editorial/interview-style second — one thing that Bumble hasn’t ever achieved earlier than — signaled a daring, playful, refreshing marketing campaign that really resonated with on-line communities.

Source

Right here’s what inspiration I believe manufacturers can draw from Bumble:

• Whenever you’ve achieved improper, do higher the subsequent time round. After backlash in 2024, Bumble didn’t ignore criticism — they recalibrated with self-awareness, humor, and a culturally related face who embodied the model’s softer facet.
• Stretch your (content material) format. By mixing short-form social content material with an editorial-style rollout, Bumble pushed a typical influencer partnership into branded storytelling.
• For those who’re going to work with web personalities or influencers, faucet those that align together with your model values and id. The marketing campaign labored as a result of it felt actual — Amelia’s allure paired naturally with Bumble’s forthright views on on-line relationship, creating genuine, shareable content material.

4. Billie: Scratch and Sniff Pits

Transfer over Native, Suave, and Secret. Billie, the Gen Z-coded razor and bodycare model, didn’t simply steal your swag in 2025 — they reinvented it solely and, shockingly, had been daring sufficient to focus on folks the place they knew they’d catch their consideration: on the streets they roam.

Source

In April 2025, Billie actually hit the streets of New York to preview their new coconut-vanilla scented deodorant — a brand new addition to the model’s assortment of a number of non-shave merchandise. With enormous, guerrilla-style “scratch and sniff” posters, Billie debuted its product to hundreds of contemporary eyes (and courageous noses), clearly demonstrating a up to date dedication to bringing again old skool experiential advertising and marketing.

Source

Even should you wouldn’t personally market your model’s product on this method, neither of us can hate too a lot on Billie’s swag. Finally, they did their large one by leveraging and executing the unconventional. For those who preferred what they did to tug this off, these are the facility performs I like to recommend conserving in your again pocket:

• For those who’ve acquired the funds to take action, transcend the scroll. In a hyper-digital world, Billie proved that IRL activations, when paired with daring inventive ways, can break by way of the noise in methods paid advertisements merely can’t.
• Make scent (or any sense) part of your marketing campaign technique. Billie’s scratch-and-sniff posters weren’t simply quirky — they had been memorable. Assume past visuals and interact a number of senses when potential.
• Don’t play it protected with product launches. Billie didn’t simply publish a product shot — they constructed a second. Turning a primary deodorant drop right into a street-level spectacle gave customers one thing to speak (and publish) about.

5. Dove: Dove x Crumbl Cookie

Crumbl Cookie made waves in 2024, so it was solely becoming that they did so once more in 2025. Nonetheless, I personally by no means imagined that their subsequent transfer could be to make the unimaginable potential. However with some surprising model chemistry and a bit of little bit of scent-engineering from Dove, they made it occur — and went viral whereas doing it.

Source

When each manufacturers introduced they’d be collaborating to create a cookie-scented physique care line, many individuals (rightfully so) requested, “Why?” Confused customers took to the web to share their sizzling takes, disdain, and, for just a few, pleasure, about this surprising mashup.

Whereas most level-headed individuals are not actively utilizing a strawberry crumb cake physique scrub for his or her each day showers, I believe that Dove’s option to collaborate with Crumbl Cookie wasn’t about rationale. It was about digital momentum, explosive attain, and product experimentation.

Briefly, this 2025 advertising and marketing marketing campaign was certainly uncanny, but it surely labored. Avid Crumbl Cookie taste-testers ran to Walmart shops to select up gadgets from this unique assortment, and a few even supplied critiques by way of YouTube and TikTok to point out people what they had been actually lacking.

No matter the way you felt about this advertising and marketing marketing campaign taking over house in 2025, there’s mastery within the mayhem. For those who’re interested by why this advertising and marketing marketing campaign labored, these are the learnings I counsel you zero in on:

• Lean into the absurd — if it’s on-brand. We each know {that a} cookie-scented physique scrub was by no means a logical product extension, but it surely was bizarre sufficient to spark dialog and get folks speaking, which is half the battle.
• Create tradition collisions. Unconventional model pairings (like Dove and Crumbl) power audiences to concentrate, particularly when the collab faucets into issues like sensory attraction and/or novelty.
• Use shortage to gasoline buzz. The limited-time drop and unique retail partnership with Walmart added urgency, driving site visitors and user-generated critiques that prolonged the marketing campaign’s shelf life.

6. Severance: Severance x Grand Central Station (plus Lumon’s tremendous dope LinkedIn presence)

2025 rapidly turned the yr of Severance. After a three-year hiatus, the jaw-dropping Apple TV unique’s Season 2 comeback didn’t disappoint. It additionally wasn’t delicate.

Source

To commemorate the return of the long-awaited second season, all the Severance present solid — Adam Scott, Britt Decrease, Zach Cherry, Patricia Arquette, and Tramell Tillman — placed themselves on display in a glass box in Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Corridor.

Within the firm of some reproduction furnishings from the present’s Macrodata Refinement division — a cubicle-style set-up, desktop computer systems, and sterile workplace props straight out of Lumon Industries — the Severance squad placed on a mini-performance of a lifetime in entrance of Grand Central’s passersby.

People had been actually into it, too. They even introduced their cameras.

Source

Along with this exhibitionist advertising and marketing set up, the Severance digital advertising and marketing workforce was laborious at work constructing an astoundingly on-brand LinkedIn presence for the present because it aired weekly.

On LinkedIn, Lumon Industries shared weekly cryptic, Lumon-themed posts to maintain followers and viewers guessing about what might be subsequent for the present’s characters as its Season 2 plot unfolded each Friday till the present’s finale.

Many people praised the Severance marketing team for its commitment to creating memorable experiences for its viewers, each on-line and offline. For those who’re hoping to do the identical to your subsequent advertising and marketing marketing campaign, right here’s what I believe you possibly can be taught (and steal) from Severance’s Season 2 advertising and marketing efforts:

• Construct immersive worlds, not simply campaigns. From in-person pop-ups to a complete LinkedIn persona, Severance didn’t simply promote a present — it prolonged its universe into on a regular basis life.
• Shock your viewers in surprising locations. The Grand Central stunt and corporate-themed LinkedIn presence gave followers one thing contemporary and out of context (however nonetheless inside bounds), which made it all of the extra memorable.
• Decide to the bit. The Severance workforce caught to its eerie, hyper-professional tone throughout all touchpoints. When your tone, content material, and platform decisions are aligned, the entire marketing campaign feels stronger and extra cohesive.

7. Nike: “So Win” x WNBA

From Angel Reese to Caitlin Clark, the feminine athletes of the Ladies’s Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (WNBA) had people rooting for his or her large wins, court-related or not, throughout all of 2024. In 2025, the love and help continued with a WNBA-centered advertising and marketing marketing campaign from Nike.

Source

The “So Win” marketing campaign business debuted throughout Tremendous Bowl 59 in February; it featured a motivational monologue from none apart from Doechii, and its digital advertising and marketing rollout featured just a few different non-WNBA athletes (i.e., Sha’Carri Richardson, Sophia Wilson).

Source

Tons of visually beautiful editorial clips of every athlete, juxtaposed with some brief vignettes of their most groundbreaking moments as skilled athletes, created a resonant narrative about what it means to be a lady who works laborious in sports activities, or what it means to be a lady who works laborious (however remains to be questioned about her dedication and energy).

Relating to selling their merchandise, Nike has at all times recognized tips on how to deliver the warmth. However this advertising and marketing marketing campaign particularly? It felt like an elevated model of the emotion-meets-performance narrative work they do finest. Critics on-line even agreed.

Source

Source

Under, evaluation soe advertising and marketing gems that I believe you possibly can be taught from Nike’s “So Win” marketing campaign execution:

• Go cinematic, not simply business. The visible and editorial high quality of the marketing campaign leaned extra like a brief movie than a product promo — proof that model storytelling thrives when it feels premium and private.
• Reframe the marketing campaign highlight. By shifting focus from simply the sport to the grind, Nike tapped right into a extra inclusive and emotionally resonant story — broadening their viewers with out dropping athletic credibility.
• Layer your solid deliberately. Together with non-WNBA athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson created intersections throughout sports activities, elevating the marketing campaign past basketball and serving to it hit completely different cultural corners.

8. Heaven by Marc Jacobs: Heaven x Starface

For those who’re not acquainted with Heaven by Marc Jacobs or Starface, get acquainted.

Source

Each manufacturers have solely redefined what it means to be rule breakers of their respective industries — Starface in magnificence and skincare, Heaven in luxurious trend and decor — and by becoming a member of forces for a limited-time capsule drop of tattoo pimple patches, they’ve blurred the road between skincare and self-expression.

Source

The marketing campaign, which primarily rolled out on Starface’s Instagram, additionally featured the unforgettable faces of Gen Z’s popular culture scene (i.e., Lil’ Uzi Vert, Beabadoobee, BB Trickz, and many others.), all of whom have already change into spokespeople for the model in its earlier campaigns. (Now, chances are you’ll not know these names, chances are you’ll not even care about what they do or why they’re in style — however Starface’s and Marc Jacobs’ customers do. And that’s the complete cause why this marketing campaign attracted traction on-line.)

Source

If you wish to do Gen Z-marketing proper, contemplate Starface and Heaven by Marc Jacobs your Krabby Patty system. Try what substances you possibly can snag to your subsequent advertising and marketing marketing campaign under:

• Forged with cultural fluency. Don’t simply go after “cool influencers” — faucet people who find themselves really shaping the subcultures your viewers cares about. Collaborations which might be tailored to the audiences that love your model will garner consideration with out you (or your digital advertising and marketing workforce) lifting a finger.
• Let the product be bizarre (on function). Tattoo pimple patches aren’t simply skincare — it’s statement-making. Gen Z embraces the surprising, particularly when it doubles as self-expression.
• Match the vibe, not simply the platform. Starface and Heaven didn’t simply publish on Instagram — they posted on Instagram like themselves. Tailor your tone, aesthetics, and language to really feel native to each your model and your viewers’s feed.

9. NYX Professional Makeup: NYX Fats Lip Oil x Large Fats Kiss Marketing campaign

Again in February 2025, NYX Professional Makeup, in collaboration with DraftKings, took to Tremendous Bowl 59 to advertise its assortment of NYX Fats Oils, a shade-diverse lineup of shiny lip glosses, and used one of many web’s funniest personalities, Brittany Broski, to promote the hype.

Source

This advertising and marketing marketing campaign was purely designed for social. It launched on Instagram and was even paired with a $60,000 predictions-based contest that inspired sports activities followers and sweetness lovers to solid their vote by way of DraftKings for which workforce would rating large throughout soccer’s largest evening.

Source

Main as much as the Tremendous Bowl, NYX fueled their Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok with natural user-generated content material blended with short-form, humor-filled video content material of Brittany hamming up — in true sports activities commentator model — how NYX is prepping for the second largest second after the sport: the large fats kiss.

This advertising and marketing marketing campaign was main for NYX and was additionally their first influencer-led marketing campaign of the yr. Whereas it was short-lived, there’s stuff to be taught from its technique. Right here’s what I believe you should bookmark from it:

• Faucet into tradition collisions. NYX x DraftKings was surprising — however that’s what made it memorable. Cross-category collabs create contemporary speaking factors, particularly after they mix magnificence and sports activities in a method that feels playful, not compelled.
• Put your expertise of their factor, then belief them to ship. Brittany Broski’s allure got here by way of as a result of the content material matched her tone — comedic, enjoyable, and totally Gen Z-coded. Let your influencer shine in their very own voice.
• Design for scroll-first success. NYX constructed this marketing campaign with virality in thoughts: bite-sized video, UGC, and humor tailor-made to social platforms. When your viewers is transferring quick, give them a number of causes and alternatives to decelerate (and interact).

Not Simply Noise: Campaigns That Minimize By means of