These apocalyptic marketing examples range from survival fashion films to undead chocolate ads that imagine a dark version of our not-so-distant future.
While advertising is often about selling a positive dream or fantasy to consumers, the opposite also works wonders when conceiving a marketing strategy.
This list of apocalyptic marketing examples relies on fantastical story lines like zombie invasions or earth-swallowing floods. Much like sci-fi, horror and fantasy films, these dystopic examples induce fear and shock viewers with their imagery.
This ability to captivate consumers through fear and emotion is often more powerful than winning them over with positive and happy messages.
A notable mention from this list is the Volkswagen GTI 'Tunnel Vision' ad. This exhilarating promo depicts a street that is destroyed by hurricane winds but keeps its vehicle product in tact throughout the storm.
25 Apocalyptic Marketing Examples
25
Subway Floodvertising
Brazilian Advertising Campaign for the Movie 2012 Fakes Subway Flood
24
Foggy Menswear Ads
The Emporio Armani Fall 2010 Campaign is Hazy But Handsome
23
Silly Zombified Advertisements
The 2012 Honda Civic Zombie Commercial is Horrifyingly Funny
22
Apocalyptic Auto Ads
The Volkswagen GTI 'Tunnel Vision' Promo is Exhilarating
21
Apocalyptic Fashion Ads (UPDATE)
The Full Miley Cyrus for Marc Jacobs SS14 Ads Are Somber
20
Avant-Garde Apocalyptic Lookbook
The Maximilian Messler Metropolis Catalog is Futuristic Eccentric
19
Apocalyptic Couple Catalogs
The [GG$] x Sus Boy Capsule Collection is Inspired by Chaos
18
Apocalyptic Luxury Campaigns
DRYKORN's Latest Advertorial is Lensed in an Abandoned Plane
17
Disastrous Post-Apocalyptic Commercials
The Greatness Awaits Ad for PlayStation 4 is Epic
16
Apocalyptic Fashion Ads
The Marc Jacobs SS14 Campaign Stars Somber Miley Cyrus
15
Undead Romance Commercials
The 'Hot Girl vs. Zombie' AXE Halloween Horror Film is Outrageous
14
Survival Fashion Films
The Reform Clothing Co. Ad Promotes Apocalyptic Apparel
13
Disguised Utilitarianism Catalogs
The CIVILIZED Fall/Winter 2014 Lookbook Evokes a Dark Theme
12
Undead Asana Ads
Yoga Outreach Zombies Campaign Encourages You to Rise From the Dead
11
Apocalyptic Alcohol Ads
The Guinness 'Dark Life' Advertisement Brings the World Together
10
Apocalyptic Vacuum Commercials
This Sehsucht Berlin Production is Gripping
9
Apocalyptic Automobile Ads
The Mitsubishi Lancer Campaign is Filled with Adrenaline
8
Apocalyptic Antiperspirant Ads
The Axe Noah's Ark Commercial is the Last Dry Place on Earth
7
Zombie Chocolate Ads
The Cadbury Screme Egg Clips are a Foodie Take on a Living Dead Film
6
Children Zombie Killer Ads
Fantastic Fest Reimagines the Zombie Genre With a Creative Commercial
5
Life-Saving Zombie Ads
Promote Heart Disease Awareness at The 'Undeading' This Halloween
4
Apocalyptic Phone Ads
The Sonim XP3400 Armor Campaign Promotes Its Impressive Impact Resistance
3
Apocalyptic Deodorant Ads
The Old Spice Campaign to Save the World Involves Dikembe Mutombo
2
Apocalypse-Worthy Battery Ads
This DieHard Battery is Your Best Bet in Case of a Zombie Attack
1
Space Horror College Ads
The 3D College in Denmark Entices Students with a Space Monster Video
Related Ideas
Fabulous Fashion Ad Campaigns
The Balmain Spring 2024 Ad Campaign Features Gisele Bündchen
AI-Driven Dreamy Fashion Campaigns
ETRO's Spring 2024 Ad Campaign Uses Artificial Intelligence
Aggressive Athlete Ads
Nike Launches the Winning Isn’t for Everyone Campaign
AI-Generated Ketchup Ads
Heinz Designed an Advertisement Using the Slogan 'It has to be Heinz'
Anti-Consumption Natural Ads
The 'Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants' Ad Aims to Reducing Consumption
AI-Lead Car Ads
Ford Launched an AI Campaign Dubbed 'Be Surreal, Be Ford'
Halloween-Inspired Pretzel Campaigns
Snyder’s of Hanover Debuts the 'Pretzelface' Campaign
Ingenious De-Influencing Ads
Cuyana's De-Influencing April Fool's Campaign Highlights Greenwashing
Next-Gen Graphic Attire
Serenity Trends’ Graphic Clothing Offers a Futuristic Aesthetic
Cult Film-Inspired Fashion Collections
Rodarte Draws Inspiration from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Technology-Driven Retail Spaces
ARK Visual Unveils Future Stores as an Immersive Retail Identity
Film-Inspired Condiment Ads
GUT New York Forms the Heinz Smiles Campaign to Celebrate Joker 2
Groundbreaking AR Posters
Wall's Out-of-Home Ads Make AR Experiences Unmissable with WinDOOH Tech
Emotional Poeticized Motorsport Campaigns
Honda Debuts the 'Unstoppable Dreams' Campaign
Literature-Inspired Packaging Designs
Bennet's Good to Read Packs are Informative
AI Post-Apocalyptic Cities
Top10Casinos Explores the Future, Inspired by the Dune Universe
Athlete-Backed Shoe Campaigns
Nike Released Awaken Your Madness with International Soccer Players
Naturalistic Taco Stand Campaigns
Coca-Cola Launched a Street Photography Campaign in Norway
Influencer-Inspired Ads
Tomcat's Ad Shows an Influencer Mouse with a Fatal Unboxing Twist
Distorted Burger Campaigns
Burger King's A.I.LLOWEEN Features Unsettling People Eating Burgers
Retro-Futuristic Sports Cars
The DeLorean Cyberpunk Concept by Loïc Chauvin is 80s-Inspired
In-Game Billboard Advertising
Gameloft Enables Partners to Advertise Natively in its Games
Eco Storytelling Workwear Campaigns
Patagonia's We Can Get There From Here Tells is Inspiring
Coffin-Shaped Ice Cream Tubs
The Alchemist by JDO Satisfies Consumers' Desire for the Unexpected
Data-Driven QSR Campaigns
Burger King's BK Unwrapped Reveals Customers' 2024 Ordering Preferences
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
Eyewear Eclipse Campaigns
The Warby Parker Solar Eclipse Promotion Offers Free Glasses
Humorous Automotive Campaigns
Hyundai’s 'Where Have You Been?' Ad Merges Nostalgia and Branding
Lazy Cereal Campaigns
SURREAL Cereal Cheekily Pokes Fun at New Year's Resolutions
Inspiring Leftover Ads
Hellmann's Mayo Cat Super Bowl Ad Uses Mayonnaise to Fight Food Waste
Soil Erosion Awareness Sandwich Ads
Hellmann's Aims to Save Sandwiches from Extinction
Consumption-Inspired Fashion Capsules
LOUTRE snd Dover Street Market Work on a New Capsule
Fashion Brand Christmas Ads
Chanel's 'Winter Tale' is a Magical Holiday Ad from the Luxury Icon
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Gen Z-Influenced Marketing Campaigns
Kraft Heinz is Studying Gen Z's Preferences with New Launches
Naughty Holiday Campaigns
Diesel's XXXMas is Inspired by Erotic 90s Aesthetics
Provocative AR Campaigns
NotCo's 'Not So Happy Animals' Presents Food Logos in a New Light
Provocative Spread Pop-Ups
The Marmite Dark Room Entices Gen Z to Experience an Iconic Spread
Anti-Greenwashing Soap Ads
Navigating Eco-Consumer Irony with Better Climate Store's "Greenwash"
Nature-Reconnecting Outdoor Campaigns
Mammut Encouraged People to Reconnect with Nature
Sci-Fantasy Fashion Collections
Forever 21 and Netflix Draw Inspiration from Rebel Moon
Cinematic Fashion Campaigns
Norse Projects Partners with Mikkel Karstad for Its New Campaign
Movement-Inspired Fashion Campaigns
The Bottega Veneta's Going Places Features Going Places
Eclipse-Themed Beverages
The Darkest Hour by Excel Bottling Marks a 2024 Astronomical Event
Eerie Film-Based Deodorant Campaigns
Secret Deodorant Debuts a Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Commercial
Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads
This New McDonald’s Campaign Encourages Eating at Home
Iconic Character-Inspired Campaigns
Etsy's Christmas Ad Celebrates Personalized Gifting
Super Bowl Drive-Thru Commercials
Taco Bell Debuts Its Live Más Drive-Thru Cams Campaign
Nudist-Themed Sporty Fashion Campaigns
PUMA and NOAH Join Forces on a New Collection
Suggestive Spread Campaigns
The Marmite First Timers Campaign Targets Gen Z
Globalized Spooky Destinations
Intrepid Travel Presents a Curated Selection of Spooky Adventures
Therapeutic Nature-Inspired Campaigns
Craghoppers Introduces Its Autumn/winter 2024 Campaign
Festive Advent Campaigns
Cadbury's 24 Out-of-Home Ads Represent the Countdown to Christmas
Historic Fashion Try-Ons
The Design Museum's London Fashion Exhibition Integrates AR Mirrors
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Adventurous Roadtrip Retail Campaigns
The Pilot Flying J 'See You Out Here' Campaign is Relatable
Escapism Electric Vehicle Concepts
The 'Trekker' Concept Vehicle is Imagined for Urbanites in 2030
AI-Powered QSR Campaigns
allplants Leverages AI To Transforms Fast-Food Ads
Horror Film-Inspired Cookbooks
The Death for Dinner Cookbook by Zach Neil Has 60 Recipes
Pastel-Hued Energy Drink Packaging
The Rockstar Energy Rebranding Has Enhanced Graphics and More
Confetti-Filled Snacking Commercials
Frito-Lay Launches the Taste of Super Bowl Campaign
Supersized Delivery Sweepstakes
DoorDash's Big Game Ad Shares Stuff from All the Ads with a Winner
Epic Rapper-Backed Soda Campaigns
PEPSI Launched its 'Make Your Gameday Epic' Campaign
Cancer Awareness CPG Packaging
This Unilever Pink Packaging Marks Breast Cancer Awareness
Functional Superfood Chocolates
Antidote Chocolate Delivers Sweet Snacks with Health Benefits
History-Centric Advertisements
Royal Ontario Museum's Epic Natural History Ad is Inspiring
Augmented Outerwear Mirrors
Ugg's Flagship Highlights Cold Weather Apparel with a Zero10 Mirror
Graphic Fashion Animation Campaigns
Louis Vuitton Remasters Takashi Murakami's Superflat Animation
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Festive Chocolate Campaigns
GODIVA Debuts its 'Love, GODIVA' Campaign for the Holidays
Immersive Hybrid Billboards
Meta's Halloween Thrillboards Tease Immersive Meta Quest 3 Experiences
Post-Apocalyptic Aluminum Furniture
Students at HEAD Genève Create 2084, Diorama of the Future
AI Fashion Photography
Adstronaut AI Creates Stunning eCommerce Images for Fashion Brands
Co-Branded Custom Ads
Lexus and Universal Pictures Partner for the 'Experience OZmazing' Spot
Do-Good Pizza Taste Tests
The Good Tastes Better Social Experiment Sees Purpose Impact Perception
Heritage Brand Boot Ads
Blundstone Launches Global Campaign Celebrating Personal Boot Stories
Communication-Based Immersive Exhibitions
Intuit Mailchimp and Design Museum Present Email is Dead
Adorable Holiday Campaigns
Burberry's Holiday Campaign Spotlights Dogs and Ducklings
Cheerful Healthy Snack Campaigns
Garden Veggie Snacks' YUMbelievably Delicious is Innovative
Quirky Plant-Based Food Ads
Gosh! Food's Falafel Advertisement is Surprising
Marketing Idea Generators
Thunderbucket Provides Marketing Ideas and Observations at Speed
Actor-Supported High Jewelry Campaigns
BULGARI Debuts Zendaya & Anne Hathaway for Eternally Reborn
Tailgate-Inspired RVs
Hellmann's Brings "Mayo-tivation" to Underdog Football Fans
Hollywood Couple Travel Campaigns
Experience Abu Dhabi Debuts a Cinematic Campaign
Beer-Branded Fashion Capsules
805 Beer Has Unveiled Its Latest Spring 2024 Fashion Capsule
Sustainable Music Festival Campaigns
Decathlon's No Tent Left Behind is Environmentally Conscious
All-Dark Marketing Campaigns
IKEA Introduces its Darkest Campaign Yet with Try Oslo's Help
Augmented Reality Wine Bottles
DeBortoli's AR Sinister Wine Enhances the Consumer Experience
Human Connection-Centric Campaigns
Etsy's New Ad Campaign Wants to Keep Commerce Human
Industrial Sci-Fi Backpacks
The SPRAYGROUND x Dune Collection Has an Otherworldly Design
Visually Appealing Food Campaigns
Celestial Seasonings Launches the Taste Our World Campaign
Retro-Futuristic Headlight Automobiles
BMW Vision's Neue Klasse Gears Towards an Electric Angle
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Tom Ford Allows Consumers to Seamlessly Shop Its Spring 2024 RTW
Eerie Film-Inspired Apps
The 'Welcome To The Afterlife Generator' Transforms Selfies
Candid Celebration Campaigns
Edible's "There's an edible for That" Celebrates Even Awkward Moments
Purpose-Driven Popcorn Snacks
Gourmet Popcorn is on a Mission to Create Jobs
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Social-First Car Campaigns
Škoda's Reddit Car Share Amplified the Voices of Passionate Fans
Exploratory Art Exhibits
The Saga of the Department Stores Exhibit Explores Shopping’s Evolution
Saucy High-Definition Screen Campaigns
Zaxby’s is Leveraging the Busy Black Friday Shopping Period
Cookie-Twisting Commercials
The OREO Super Bowl 2024 Spot Revisits Pivotal Moments in History
Phosphorescent Energy Drink Cans
Dynami:t's Cans Glow with Neon and Superbright Effects
Spatial Storytelling Films
The Apple Immersive Submerged Trailer Teases Next-Gen Video Tech
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Louis Vuitton Delivers Resort 2024 with an Interactive Experience
Anniversary-Celebrating Storytelling Ads
The Walt Disney Company Mark Marvel's 85th Anniversary
Omnichannel Automotive Services
Automotive Mastermind has Adapted to Modern Consumer Patterns
Hybrid Community Supermarkets
The After Market is a Grocery Store and a Food Pantry
Recycled Ad Campaigns
Mars is Reusing Fan-Favorite Ads to Bring Attention to Climate Change
Empowering Car Ads
CarMax's New Ad Campaign Takes a Witty Approach
Cult Movies-Inspired Graphic Streetwear
Place+Faces Presents the Film Club Collection
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
AR Pizza Menus
Hungry Howie's Uses AR to Promote a Secret Pizza Menu
Undead Easter Treats
The Sugar Plum Chocolate Zombie Bunny is Handcrafted
Interactive Juice Packaging
Gulf Union Foods Launched Fun Connected Packaging for its Juices
Global Storytelling Initatives
Vans Announces its Narrative-Centric Always Pushing Campaign
Novela-Inspired Liqueur Ads
Kahlúa's Spots Bring Excitement to Everyday Occasions
Inclusive Voting Campaigns
The Body Shop Worked with Apathy is Boring to Improve Voter Turnout
Hard-To-Read Health Campaigns
A Specsavers Campaign Encourages Movie-Goers to Check their Sight
Horror-Themed QSR Short Films
The Jack In The Box 'Feeding Time' Short Film Offers Free Food
Hyper-Local Gym Ads
GymBox's Made for London Life Ads Juxtapose City Living and Gym-Going
Influencer-Starring Car Commercials
Toyota's New Short Film Seeks to Resonate with Gen Z Customers
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Alternative Butter Ads
Lurpak's Crush Expectations Redefines Plant-Based as Edgy, Not Earthy
Functional Militaristic Fall Apparel
maharishi Presents its New Campaign for the FW23 Season
Gut-Friendly Kombucha Campaigns
Health-Ade's Thrill Your Gut Highlights the Benefits of Kombucha
Frozen Pizza-Centered Campaigns
Dr. Oetker Debuts the Frozen Pizza Publicist Campaign
Drone Marketing Initatives
LEGO Takes to the Sky with Drone Show and Aerial Messages
Dynamic Auto Marketing Campaigns
Hyundai Promotes Its Electrical Vehicle Line-up
Skateboarding-Inspired Ads
Vans Launched the ‘Always Pushing’ Ad Highlighting Skating Culture
Ice Cream-Inspired Superbowl Campaigns
Häagen-Dazs Aims to Connect with Younger Consumers
Horror Movie-Inspired Popcorn Buckets
Nosferatu Film Presents the Dynamic Popcorn Coffin Bucket
Rental App Holiday Campaigns
Airbnb Presents its Santastrophe Campaign Following Santa Claus
Disaster Relief-Supporting Pr Initiatives
Publicity for Good Supports Hurricane Helene Relief
Halloween Carbonated Drink Packaging
Tango and 7UP's Two-Litre Packs Get a Spooky Redesign
Comedic Groundhog Day Campaigns
Lay's Flavor for Days Campaign Taps into Groundhog Day
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Sophisticated Supermarket Sub-Brands
Asda Unveils its 'Exceptional' Brand for High-End Shoppers
Branded Film Launches
Oakley Launches Future Genesis and a New Brand Aesthetic
Subtle Marketing Pop-Ups
FOMO Nudge Encourages Users to Buy with Subtle Pop-Ups
Empowering Trader-Focused Campaigns
Vantage Markets Debuts New Phase of Reborn a Trader