Create Valuable Blogs One of the most impactful Thanksgiving marketing strategies I've encountered is the use of valuable blogs. As the holiday season approaches, many people find themselves seeking guidance on various aspects of Thanksgiving, from cooking tips to decoration ideas and even dealing with loneliness. Crafting insightful blog content that addresses these needs not only positions your brand as a helpful resource but also engages your audience on a personal level. By sharing practical tips and hacks, you not only contribute to a smoother Thanksgiving experience for your readers but also build trust and loyalty.
As a UK-based company with a significant customer base in the US, we initially found the concept of Thanksgiving marketing quite daunting. We were unsure how to approach it without understanding the full cultural context. However, the best campaign we've seen - and one we drew inspiration from - was Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The way they incorporate their brand into a cherished annual tradition is remarkable. It's not just about promoting sales; it's about celebrating community, family, and gratitude. We took a page from their book and used the Thanksgiving holiday to connect with our customers on a more personal level, expressing our gratitude for their support.
Airbnb Heartwarming 'Share a Thanksgiving' Campaign One of the most memorable Thanksgiving marketing campaigns I've seen is the ‘Share a Thanksgiving’ campaign by Airbnb in 2015. They created a heartwarming video showcasing various Airbnb hosts and guests from different backgrounds coming together to celebrate Thanksgiving. The campaign highlighted the spirit of hospitality and togetherness, promoting the idea that strangers can become like family and collectively celebrate Thanksgiving during the holiday season. The above campaign resonated with people, evoking a strong sense of warmth and community, which are core Thanksgiving values. Airbnb's exemplary campaign (#OneLessStranger) showcases how building an emotional connection can assist in winning over customers. This campaign perfectly illustrates ‘the power of narrative’ in marketing, making it the most remarkable Thanksgiving campaign of all time.
One of the best Thanksgiving marketing campaigns I’ve encountered was a heartwarming initiative from a popular charity. They launched a "Thank You Turkey" initiative, urging individuals to recognise community members who made a positive impact throughout the year. The organisation then surprises the selected individuals with a complete Thanksgiving meal, including turkey and trimmings, to thank them for their selfless actions. This event perfectly captures the spirit of Thanksgiving by recognising and celebrating the unsung community heroes.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is a standout Thanksgiving marketing campaign. Since 1924, it has grown into a global tradition, attracting millions of live and TV viewers worldwide. This event not only marks the start of the holiday season but also provides brands with an unparalleled platform to showcase their products through memorable displays, making it a highly effective marketing strategy.
One of the most memorable Thanksgiving marketing campaigns I've ever seen was from REI, the outdoor retail giant. They launched the "Opt Outside" campaign, which encouraged people to spend Thanksgiving outdoors instead of shopping. What made this campaign exceptional was its bold departure from the traditional Black Friday frenzy. REI made the courageous decision to close all of its stores on Black Friday, pay its employees for the day, and actively promote spending time in nature rather than shopping. The campaign was a resounding success, not just in terms of brand image but also in terms of customer engagement. It tapped into the sentiment of spending quality time with loved ones and appreciating the outdoors, resonating with people on a deeper level. The "Opt Outside" campaign wasn't just a marketing ploy; it embodied the company's values and connected with its target audience, who often shared a love for the outdoors.
One Thanksgiving marketing campaign that stands out to me is 'Feed Your Family, Feed the World' by Whole Foods. This eco-conscious grocery chain marketed their Thanksgiving supplies by emphasizing that for every meal bought, a meal would be donated to someone in need. It was a wonderful way of incorporating the Thanksgiving spirit of giving and sharing into a marketing campaign. Moreover, it made customers feel like they were making an altruistic choice by shopping at Whole Foods. Not only did they meet the need for a festive feast, but they also appealed to consumers’ broader social consciousness.
Launch a special podcast series inviting notable personalities, influencers, or customers to share their favorite Thanksgiving memories, traditions, or recipes. Release episodes leading up to Thanksgiving, promoting them through social media and email newsletters. This campaign creates emotional connections, nostalgia, and encourages audience engagement through sharing their own memories.
Offer a free Thanksgiving Recipe eBook packed with delicious recipes to showcase the company's culinary expertise and provide value to customers during the holiday season. This unique approach establishes the brand as an authority, increases customer engagement, and generates goodwill. For example, XYZ Kitchen released a Thanksgiving Recipe eBook featuring traditional and innovative recipes, including step-by-step instructions and stunning food photography. Customers could download the eBook for free by subscribing to their email list, resulting in a significant increase in website traffic and a boost in email subscribers. The campaign led to increased brand recognition, customer loyalty, and potential upselling opportunities.
The Thanksgiving Gratitude Wall campaign involves setting up a physical or virtual wall where customers can share what they are thankful for during the Thanksgiving season. Participants are encouraged to use your brand's hashtag when sharing their gratitude on social media. This campaign promotes positivity, encourages engagement, and creates a sense of community. It may not be directly related to product marketing, but it builds a positive brand image by emphasizing the values of Thanksgiving.
The best Thanksgiving marketing campaign I have ever seen was by a popular supermarket chain. They created a heartwarming TV commercial that showcased families coming together to celebrate Thanksgiving. The ad focused on the importance of spending quality time with loved ones and sharing a delicious meal. The supermarket cleverly incorporated their products into the storyline, highlighting the variety and quality of their Thanksgiving offerings. The campaign also included engaging social media posts, where they encouraged people to share their own Thanksgiving traditions and recipes. I found this marketing campaign to be effective because it resonated with the spirit of Thanksgiving and successfully promoted the supermarket's products in a relatable and meaningful way.
One of the best examples of the Thanksgiving Campaign was Coca-Cola's "Grateful for Family" campaign, which added meaning to the occasion. It showed the event about gifting and spending time with loved ones. One of the major reasons behind its success was its relatability. In today's world, we all are so busy with our day-to-day lives that we hardly take time for our family and friends, and this occasion allows us to express our love and feelings by spending time with them.
In my experience, among the Thanksgiving marketing campaigns I've come across, the "Share the Meal" initiative by Walmart left a lasting impression. Reflecting on my own experiences, this campaign's collaboration with Feeding America to provide holiday meals to struggling families was both heartwarming and ingenious. It not only resonated with the spirit of giving, but also engaged customers in a meaningful way. Based on my knowledge and expertise in marketing, it's a prime example of how a brand can create a positive and impactful image through its campaigns.
One of the Thanksgiving marketing campaigns that left a deep impression on me was Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. This iconic event not only captures the essence of Thanksgiving but also builds anticipation for the holiday shopping season. From my perspective, it's a brilliant fusion of tradition and commerce, engaging a wide television audience and creating the perfect atmosphere for the excitement of Black Friday shopping.
Ours is actually pretty exceptional. Our company is ‘Surfside Services’ which we play on at Thanksgiving with ‘Surfside Softside’. Our ‘Softside’ makes home cooked meals, organizes events and can goods drives, and does some other great charitable work around Thanksgiving. The slight change in name and logo and some good social media and news coverage around this has done wonders for some holiday marketing.