Halloween is a beloved holiday that brings out the creative spirits in marketers and advertisers. Over the years, several campaigns have captured the essence of Halloween with memorable flair. As staunch supporters of extending the spooky season’s celebration, let’s delve into five of the most iconic Halloween ads.
Geico: 'Good Choices'
Geico’s ‘Good Choices’ ad takes a playful approach to horror movie tropes, humorously suggesting that choosing Geico is a smarter decision than the typical choices made by characters in slasher films. Part of Geico’s broader ‘It’s What You Do’ campaign, this ad leverages the Halloween theme to showcase the brand’s value proposition in a lighthearted and engaging manner. First aired in 2012, it certainly still works today (which Geico is fully making use of, and airing it year after year – speak about ROI!), and deserves its spot as a timeless classic.
Reese's 'Count Dracula'
Reese’s has long been associated with the Halloween season, and its iconic ‘Count Dracula’ campaign is a testament to the brand’s ability to seamlessly integrate its products with the holiday’s theme. In 1990, Reese’s has been able to capture the Halloween spirit and effectively promote its candy offerings by featuring the perhaps oldest Halloween legend – Count Dracula. Short and sweet- like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, but certainly memorable, as it’s playing into the longstanding argument about how to eat it best – chocolate first, or buttery filling. Can you guess how the Count prefers to eat it?
Nike - 'Run for your life'
Nike’s ad takes the horror movie cliché of being chased by a chainsaw-wielding maniac and turns it into a testament to the necessity of having the right running shoes. This thrilling ad leaves viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering if the protagonist will escape. It’s a perfect blend of suspense and product placement.
Burger King - Scary Clown Night
Warning – do not watch if you suffer from Coulrophobia. The ad felt like Stranger Things meets IT, and took a bold and controversial approach to Halloween marketing, nestled into Burger King’s ‘Scary Clown Night’ campaign By dressing up their employees as creepy clowns and offering free Whoppers to customers who showed up in clown costumes (between 7pm and 3 am – not creepy at all!), Burger King managed to create a buzz-worthy event that tapped into the cultural zeitgeist surrounding the fear of clowns.
IKEA – The Shining
For some parts of the population furniture stores might be nightmare themselves if they have to spent time in them, but IKEA Singapore really leaned into the its store as a horror film location to announce its late night shopping experience in 2019. If you watched Stanley Kubrick’s legendary horror thriller The Shining, you’ll immediately recognise the scene, complete with a little boy riding his bike through the eerily quiet showrooms. The ad was used in a wider campaign, including a competition for identifying most product lines in the video – which made the ad even more popular. Do you dare to explore what’s waiting at the end of the IKEA aisles at night?
As the spooky season wraps up, it’s clear that Halloween isn’t just a time for tricks and treats, but also a golden opportunity for brands to connect with their audience in creative, memorable ways. These iconic ads demonstrate that with the right mix of humor, horror, and cultural relevance, it’s possible to create engaging content that not only resonates with consumers but also stands the test of time. Let’s keep the spirit of innovation alive, not just for Halloween but throughout all seasonal campaigns.
