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What are the most successful examples of viral marketing campaigns in the last decade?

Jordyn Pointin

Well hello there, my fellow social media enthusiast! That's a great question you've got there - what are the most successful examples of viral marketing campaigns in the last decade? If you're anything like me, you'll know there are some seriously clever and creative campaigns out there that have taken the world by storm.

Let's kick it off with a classic - who could forget the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that took over our Facebook feeds back in 2014? It started with a few celebrities pouring buckets of ice water over their heads to raise awareness for ALS, and before we knew it, everyone from our grandma to our favorite sports team had taken part. It raised over $220 million for the charity, and showed just how powerful social media can be when it comes to spreading a message.

Another campaign that went viral for all the right reasons was the 'Dumb Ways to Die' video by Melbourne's Metro Trains. The adorable animation highlighted all the silly things people do to put themselves in danger around trains, and had a catchy tune to go with it. It became a social media phenomenon, with over 200 million views in just two months, and even won a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions. The campaign was such a success that Melbourne's Metro Trains reported a 21% reduction in accidents and deaths compared to the previous year.

One of my personal favorites from recent years is the 'Share a Coke' campaign that Coca-Cola launched in 2011. The idea was simple, but oh-so-genius - all the bottles and cans of Coke had different names on them, from the classic 'James' and 'Sarah' to more unique options like 'BFF' and 'Wingman'. It was the perfect opportunity to share a Coke with a friend and snap a picture for Instagram, and soon enough, the hashtag #ShareACoke was trending worldwide. The campaign resulted in an 11% increase in Coke consumption in the US, and became a global phenomenon that's still going strong today.

Last but not least, who could forget the 'Old Spice Guy'? This campaign breathed new life into the vintage brand, with the hilarious ads featuring Isaiah Mustafa as the smooth-talking, towel-clad spokesperson. The ads were a hit on TV, but it was the social media aspect that really made them go viral. Old Spice responded to tweets and comments from fans with personalized video messages, and even created a live stream where Mustafa answered fan questions in real time. The campaign created a 107% increase in sales, and proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

These are just a few of my favorite viral marketing campaigns from the last decade, but there are plenty more out there that have made us laugh, cry, and maybe even buy a product or two. One thing's for sure - social media has changed the game when it comes to advertising, and I can't wait to see what clever campaigns come next.