What if we told you that some of the most outrageous marketing stunts came from the brands you see every day? From breaking the sound barrier to turning potholes into ad space, these campaigns were anything but ordinary. Bold, brilliant, and sometimes even controversial—these stories show just how far brands will go to stand out. Let’s dive in.
Marketing Stunts That Worked
1. Red Bull
Red Bull gave the world an example of what it takes to capture attention in 2012. On October 14th, Felix Baumgartner, a skydiver and daredevil from Austria, took on the challenge of a lifetime. He ascended 24 miles above New Mexico in a helium balloon and then did the unthinkable: he jumped.
During his fall, Felix broke the sound barrier, something that had never been done by a human in free fall before. Over 8 million people watched it live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. It wasn’t just a stunt—it was a message.
This marketing stunt of Red Bull wasn’t just selling energy drinks. They were selling a mindset—”Red Bull gives you wings.” They showed us what’s possible when you dream big. And it worked. Red Bull’s channel exploded in followers and web traffic. But the biggest win? They positioned themselves as a brand that dares to do the impossible. The lesson: it’s not just about selling a product—it’s about leaving a lasting impression.
Business tip: Treat your brand like an entertainment device. Whoever controls attention wins.
2. Barbie Movie
If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like for a movie to take over real life, the Barbie movie in 2022 answered that question. Pink was everywhere. From TikTok trends to street visuals, it was impossible to miss. The campaign was so powerful, it even caused a global shortage of pink paint. Whether that was real or a clever PR stunt—it worked.
They launched epic brand activations and partnerships:
- Lush created pink bath bombs and bubble bars.
- Crocs released glitter-covered Barbie-themed shoes.
- Burger King Brazil launched a pink burger (a little weird, but attention-grabbing).
- Zara transformed a New York store into a Barbie Dream Closet.
- Moon launched a pink electric toothbrush.
- And the best? Airbnb introduced a real-life Barbie Dream House in Malibu.
These weren’t just products. They were experiences. Shareable, Instagrammable, and full of pink power.
Lesson for brands: Partner smartly. Find collaborators that align with your vibe and create something memorable.
3. Nike
Fast forward to the Tour de France in 2009. While brands slapped logos on every surface, Nike pulled off one of their best marketing stunts. They created Chalkbot—a robot that sprayed messages from people around the world onto the cycling tracks.
This robot wasn’t just a gimmick. It was part of Nike’s support for cancer research and a partnership with the Livestrong Foundation. People shared messages of hope and strength. Nike gained global media coverage, social buzz, and admiration. And people didn’t just see a brand. They saw purpose.
Takeaway: Do something unexpected, tie it to a good cause, and tell your story. Document the transformation—that’s what captivates your audience.
4. IKEA
When IKEA launched its 30th store in France, they didn’t just cut a ribbon. They built a climbing wall—but not just any wall. It was a vertical living room.
Imagine a billboard that turns into an actual, interactive rock climbing wall made of IKEA furniture. People could climb, explore, and interact with the brand physically. This wasn’t just display—it was engagement.
IKEA’s marketing was about connection, not conversion. And by making it fun, they created a moment people wouldn’t forget.
Marketing gold: Let people touch your brand. Make them part of the experience.
4. Deadpool
Before Deadpool hit theaters, its marketing team pulled off one of the most creative campaigns ever.
First, they launched billboards in Los Angeles with just three emojis:
- 💀 (skull)
- 💩 (poop)
- 👶 (baby)
Put them together and you get—Deadpool. At first, people were confused. But as they cracked the code, it went viral. Then, they created a Deadpool Tinder profile. Full bio, photos, and if you swiped right? You’d get a link to buy movie tickets.
Still not enough? They promoted Deadpool as a romantic movie for Valentine’s Day—a hilarious, sarcastic move that fans adored.
Marketing genius: Use typical channels (billboards, apps) in unexpected ways. Know your audience, their humor, and speak their language. Create something interactive that people want to share.
5. Domino’s
And now, for the wildest marketing campaign of all time—Domino’s Paving for Pizza. They tackled a real-world problem. A problem we’ve all faced: your pizza shows up looking like a crime scene—smashed, slanted, and totally ruined before it even gets to your door. They fixed potholes.
They realized people were complaining about ruined pizzas during delivery. So Domino’s said, “Why not fix the roads ourselves?” They launched a campaign that let customers nominate potholes in their town. Domino’s would then fill them up and stamp their logo beside it.
This campaign kicked off in early 2018 after months of planning. By June, it was all over the news and social media. And by August? Over a billion people had talked about it. Think about it. They didn’t advertise pizzas. They solved a real problem.
Biggest takeaway: Marketing doesn’t have to be loud. It just has to be relevant and real.
Final Thoughts: What These Campaigns Teach Us
Each of these brands did something bold, interactive, and out-of-the-box. Here’s what you can learn from these marketing stunts:
- Entertainment wins attention. Red Bull didn’t sell drinks—they sold thrill.
- Partnerships = reach. Barbie’s collabs took the world by storm.
- Purpose-driven branding. Nike showed that doing good is good business.
- Touch + play = impact. IKEA turned a wall into a memory.
- Creativity over convention. Deadpool flipped marketing norms upside down.
- Solve real problems. Domino’s filled potholes—and earned loyalty.
So next time you think about marketing, ask yourself—not just what you’re selling, but what story are you telling?
Marketing stunts are bold, attention-grabbing actions designed to create buzz, spark conversation, and promote a brand in unexpected, often unforgettable ways.
Red Bull’s space jump. Felix Baumgartner jumped from 24 miles above Earth. It wasn’t just a stunt—it was history made for marketing.
KFC launched a chicken sandwich into space. Sounds crazy? It worked. People loved it and couldn’t stop talking about it.
