Why the best brands embrace Halloween in their marketing strategy

Halloween presents an opportunity for brands to engage their audience through imaginative and playful marketing strategies, often capitalising on nostalgia and childhood memories. Beyond dressing up, this festive season opens doors for companies to boost their brand visibility, deepen customer connections, and drive sales with a marketing spell.

 

The why behind Halloween marketing campaigns

The spooky season is a chance to refresh a brand’s image. These seasonal updates help capture attention and encourage quick purchases, making the brand stand out during this time of year. Many brands have mastered the art of Halloween marketing, turning the season into a major event for their business. Let's dive into some of our favourite Halloween-themed campaigns and see why it's a treat, not a trick, for businesses.

 

Heinz

In 2021, Heinz recognised that no Halloween costume is complete without a splash of blood, and cleverly rebranded their iconic ketchup as 'Tomato Blood'. This campaign not only grabbed attention but also positioned their product as a must-have Halloween item. Its success was evident in the widespread media coverage, featuring in top marketing publications like The Drum and food-centred outlets such as Mashed. 

Building on their Halloween campaign in following years, Heinz introduced their infamous 'Black Garlic Mayo' flavour. This limited-edition product created a sense of urgency, with fans rushing to supermarkets to grab a bottle before they sold out. The campaign's online presence was particularly impressive:

marketing campaign, halloween themed, seasonal campaign

#Heinzhalloween received over 5.1 billion views across social media platforms.

#Blackgarlicmayo accumulated more than 2.4 million views on TikTok alone.

Heinz's approach demonstrates the power of seasonal rebranding and limited-edition products in creating buzz and driving engagement. By transforming everyday condiments into exclusive items, they showcased how even simple products can be reimagined for maximum seasonal impact.

Bacardi

Recognising the potential wordplay with 'spirits' at Halloween, Bacardi launched a major campaign last year named "Raising Spirits". They created two 30-second movie trailers inspired by iconic horror films, featuring their limited-edition glow-in-the-dark bottle and showcasing spooky cocktail recipes. The campaign positioned the product at the centre of Halloween events, grabbing the attention of their target audience and providing inspiration for seasonal party drinks. 

halloween marketing ideas, halloween recipes, halloween themed

Its success was evident in the significant spike in searches, showing a 14% increase the week before the holiday - a major achievement for a product that is typically bought offline. Bacardi effectively transformed their brand into a Halloween recipe essential, demonstrating how even established brands can reimagine their identity to have a seasonal impact without changing their core product.

Meta

Last year, Meta created an immersive experience for the launch of their mixed-reality headset, Meta Quest 3. The Halloween Thrillboards allowed spectators to step into a billboard and experience a taste of the games firsthand. This out-of-the-box campaign not only instantly drew attention from passersby but also provided an irresistible photo opportunity. 

marketing efforts, halloween themed, marketing tactic

Fans shared their experiences on social media, effectively doubling as another side to the campaign, providing user-generated content. This approach encouraged attention, kept eyes on the brand, and generated buzz about the new launch, effortlessly creating excitement around the product.

Nike

Nike takes a premium approach to Halloween, releasing highly anticipated limited-edition shoes that sneakerheads can't wait to get their hands on. The scarcity of these products creates hype, with fans often finding themselves in virtual waiting rooms, hoping to be 'let in' to make a purchase. This controlled access helps to manage website traffic and prevent crashes but, it's a double-edged sword. The limited availability amplifies desire - after all, we want most what we can't have! These exclusive shoes cater to the spooky season but, it is the strategy after all that demonstrates how brands can leverage seasonal events to create buzz and demand.

marketing tips, halloween promotions

However, the approach isn't without controversy. Many critics point out that resellers have flooded the market, taking advantage of the limited releases to flip the shoes for significant profits. This has led to frustration among fans who struggle to secure a pair at retail prices.

Trends 

In the UK, Halloween celebrations are growing year on year. In 2016 only 19% of adults in the UK celebrated Halloween, compared with 43% in 2021. This has presented a significant opportunity for brands to capitalise on, explaining the huge new wave of seasonal marketing efforts we have seen in recent years, with just over £1bn estimated spend forecasted for Halloween this year in the UK. Comparing this to the estimated $11bn of Halloween spend in the US we can see why many US-based campaigns don't quite make it across the pond, despite extensive budgets.

 

Why you should have a Halloween marketing campaign

If you're wondering whether your brand should jump on the Halloween bandwagon, consider the following advantages:

Seasonal customer behaviour

Halloween is a unique opportunity to tap into seasonal customer behaviour. As the day approaches, customers are actively looking for Halloween-themed products and experiences. Whether it’s costumes, decorations, or special treats, the demand spikes, and brands can capitalise on this by offering limited-edition items or themed promotions. This not only drives sales but also helps your brand become part of your customers' Halloween traditions.

Emotional connections

Halloween is a time filled with nostalgia, excitement, and even a bit of playful fear. Brands that successfully tap into these emotions can create strong, lasting connections with their audience. Emotional marketing is incredibly powerful, and Halloween offers the perfect backdrop to tell stories that resonate on a deeper level. When customers associate positive emotions with your brand, it builds loyalty that extends beyond the season. We discussed emotion being key in holiday marketing campaigns in more depth here >

Creativity and innovation

Halloween is one of the most creative times of the year for marketers. The holiday’s playful and mysterious nature gives brands the freedom to experiment with bold, innovative ideas. Whether it’s a Halloween email campaign, a unique product design, or engaging social media content, the Halloween festivities allow your brand to stand out in a crowded market. This creativity not only captures attention but also leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Social media campaigns

The visual and interactive nature of Halloween makes it perfect for social media marketing. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X thrive on the kind of content that the 'spooky season' inspires - costume contests, festive decorations, and Halloween-themed challenges can help to help boost social media engagement. By creating campaigns that encourage user-generated content, brands can significantly increase their reach and engagement. A well-executed Halloween campaign can go viral, helping to drive traffic to your social media channels.

 

Conclusion

Halloween marketing efforts are more than just a seasonal trend - it’s a strategic opportunity to connect with your audience in meaningful and memorable ways. Big brands have demonstrated the power of Halloween marketing campaigns through their creative and effective promotions. By tapping into seasonal behaviours, building emotional connections, and embracing creativity, you can make Halloween a key part of your marketing strategy. 

We can’t wait to see this year's Halloween campaigns and wish you a very Happy Halloween from us here at h2o.

Ready to get started with your Halloween marketing ideas? 

Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help make your brand stand out.