Going above and beyond the average type of imagery and brand logo is often a creative advertising strategy, and these surreal marketing techniques are illustrating how utilizing imaginative and dream-like qualities often serves to make a bold visual impression.
While certain retailers choose to market their products through simply showcasing the design and function, others are looking at strategies outside-the-box, creating ads that are complex, irrational and utterly mind-blowing. The use of surreal imagery in campaigns serves to promote more than just a simple product or service, but rather it showcases an overall story and theme that viewers can easily remember.
From inverted landscape auto ads to colossal cereal campaigns, these surreal marketing techniques are providing a unique form of advertising, one that allows viewers to experience a whimsical and imaginative concept.
32 Surreal Marketing Techniques
From Surreal Fashion Art Campaigns to Paradise Deodorant Ads:
Tana Makmanee — Jun 27, 2013 — Marketing
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Surreal Ad Photography
'Pickpockets' by Romain Laurent
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Surreal Submerged Fashion Ads
The Wonderland Couture by Feline Blush Campaign is Magical
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Human Shearing Ads
The Uniform Jeans Verano Esquilate Campaign Sheds Fur for Summer
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Gagafied Car Editorials
The 'Another Day, Another Adventure' for Mini Cooper Editorial is Dynamic
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Surreal Snake Neck Campaigns
Amuse Fashion Socks Ads Invite the Creative Wearing of Wool
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Gravity-Defying Ads
‘This is a Crazy World' Turns Reality Upside-Down
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Surreal Digital Ads
These Amazing Taylor James Creations Redefine Amazing Marketing
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Surreal Saturated Fashion Stories
The Roberto Cavalli 'Psychotic Love' Photoshoot is Cinematic
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Surrealist Activewear Campaigns
These RIG Utility Clothing Advertisements are Fantastical
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Imaginative Child Curiousity Ads
Matteo Pozzi Answers Children's Questions Via Wonderful Artwork
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Surreal Skydiving Commercials
'Experience Human Flight' is a Stunning View of an Extreme Activity
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Surrealist Ads
Dali & Magritte Inspired VW Polo BlueMotion Campaign
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Surreal Cultural Campaigns
David Lachapelle's Special T Ads Enter Three Magical Worlds
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Surreal Coffee Ads
Folgers Clears Up Complicated Mornings
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Inverted Landscape Auto Ads
The Mercedes-Benz Airmatic Campaign Drives on Air
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Surreal Fashion Art Campaigns
Ignasi Monreal Graphic Illustration for Joyce S/S 2013 is Stunning
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Surreal Liquid Flavor Ads
The Exito Agua Campaign Promotes Seven Layer Protective Bottles
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Surreal Investment Ads
AE Investimentos Print Campaign Uses Dali Creations
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Epic Sports Ads
The Eurosport TV Commercials Will Get Your Heart Racing and Your Palms Sweaty
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Monumental Alcohol Ads
The Absolut Vodka Campaign is Impressively Celebratory
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Surreal Sweetheart Ads
The Sonimagfoto & Multimedia Photolovers Campaign is Bizarrely Amorous
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Sleekly Surreal Vidvertising
This Celsius X VI II Commercial Leaves One Wanting More
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Whimsical Childlike Lookbooks
The Lesia Paramonova 2013-14 Collection is Inspired by Uniforms
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Exotic Terrain Campaigns
The Land Rover 'Go Beyond' Ads Travel to Remote Landscapes
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Paradise Deodorant Ads
Become One of the Freshest Places on Earth with the Old Spice Campaign
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Floating Ornament Fashion Ads
The Dior for Printemps Holiday 2012 Campaign is Festively Surreal
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Footstep-Following GPS Ads
The Samsung Galaxy Campaign Shows Its "Just like You've Been There"
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Surreal Technicolour Ads
Dreamscape in Target's Colour Campaign is Bright and Beautiful
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Flowing Chocolate Ads
Cadbury Flake 'Unfold' is a Beautiful Peaceful Commercial
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Colossal Cereal Campaigns
The Honey Shreddies Ads Advertise Sweet Taste
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Mining Artifact Ads
The Scania Campaign Advocates Updated Machinery for the Industry
Related Ideas
AI-Generated Fashion Campaigns
Mango Debuted Its First AI Campaign for Its New Teen Line
AI-Generated Sports Campaigns
Paris Saint-Germain Launched a Fully AI-Generated Campaign
Nostalgic Winter Intimates Campaigns
SKIMS' Holiday Campaign Was Inspired by Vintage Magazines
Fabulous Fashion Ad Campaigns
The Balmain Spring 2024 Ad Campaign Features Gisele Bündchen
AI-Created Luggage Campaigns
LANCEL's New Voyage Ai Campaign Launched on June 7th
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
Customizable Latex Apparel
Sloganlatex Revolutionizes Latex Fashion with New Offerings
AI-Generated Real-World Transformations
AI-Artist Who Gives a Unique Design to Real Objects
Generative AI Candy Campaigns
The Starburst 'Different Every Time' Campaign is Interactive
Ingenious De-Influencing Ads
Cuyana's De-Influencing April Fool's Campaign Highlights Greenwashing
GenAI Flip Phone Campaigns
Motorola's Styled with Moto Features AI-Generated Virtual Models
Parisian Airport Pop-Ups
Moët Hennessy's Paris Concept Event Featured Travel Exclusives
AI-Inspired Fantastical Bridal Collections
Pronovias Attempts to Fuse Fashion and Technology
Groundbreaking AR Posters
Wall's Out-of-Home Ads Make AR Experiences Unmissable with WinDOOH Tech
Restyled Cinematic Makeup Campaigns
Dolce & Gabbana's 'Il Pranzo' Campaign is Dramatic and Bold
Emotional Poeticized Motorsport Campaigns
Honda Debuts the 'Unstoppable Dreams' Campaign
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
Humorous Automotive Campaigns
Hyundai’s 'Where Have You Been?' Ad Merges Nostalgia and Branding
Illustrative 420 Campaigns
Vizie Unveils His Latest Work for Grassroots' 420 Campaign
Imaginative Luxury Perfume Campaigns
The Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau De Parfum is Ethereal
Logo-Centric Soccer Campaigns
Apple Introduces the MLS Seasons Pass Campaign Visuals
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Illuminated Drone Shows
Ralph Lauren Commemorates its ‘Very Ralph’ Documentary in Shanghai
Surrealist Phone Cases
The Salvador Dalí x CASETiFY Collab Elevates Everyday Accessories into Art
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
Employee Fragrance Campaigns
Lidl's Fragrance Campaign Features Local Talent with Celebrity Names
AI-Generated Soup Can Art
The Campbell’s 'pAIntings' Initiative is Inspired by Artistic Greats
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
Lazy Cereal Campaigns
SURREAL Cereal Cheekily Pokes Fun at New Year's Resolutions
Cinematic New Year Campaigns
Prada Releases Its High-Fashion Campaign for Chinese New Year
QSR Menu Billboard Campaigns
Burger King Shows Real Burger Sizes with Real Size Campaigns
Charming Christmas Advertisements
Sainsbury’s Christmas Ad 2024 Evokes Childhood Nostalgia
Collossal Crocodile Campaigns
The Lacoste 'Play Big' Campaign Features Artists and Athletes
Gen Z-Centric Campaigns
Urban Outfitters' Shift Happens Campaign Has Three Phases
Iconic Character-Inspired Campaigns
Etsy's Christmas Ad Celebrates Personalized Gifting
Multichannel Retail Campaigns
Urban Outfitters' 'Happy Lolidays' Campaign is Engaging
Exaggerated Holiday Displays
Nordstrom NYC's 'Wonder All the Way' Campaign is Larger-Than-Life
Movement-Inspired Fashion Campaigns
The Bottega Veneta's Going Places Features Going Places
Parody Soda Ads
Zevia’s Playful Holiday Ad 'Break from Artificial' Takes a Stand for Realness
Retail Overconsumption Campaigns
Coachtopia's 'The Wasted Parts' Explores Overconsumption Culture
Unretouched Photography Books
Dove Reimagine Beauty Celebrates Authentic Representation
Nature-Reconnecting Outdoor Campaigns
Mammut Encouraged People to Reconnect with Nature
Visual Museum Campaigns
MoMA’s New Museum Campaign Transforms NYC into an Art Lover’s Paradise
Offbeat Fashion Campaigns
ASOS 'Inspired By' Delivers Non-Traditional Inspiration to Style-Seekers
Fashion Brand Christmas Ads
Chanel's 'Winter Tale' is a Magical Holiday Ad from the Luxury Icon
Unconventional Holiday Campaigns
Chloe Surreal X Sundae School's Holiday Campaign Challenges Norms
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
Luxury Department Store Takeovers
Burberry and Harrods Offer an Immersive Shopping Experience
Neuroscientific Bodycare Campaigns
Native's Scent Alchemy Campaign Shares the Science of Scent
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
Soda Logo Rebranding Campaigns
Pepsi's New Logo Goes Across the Globe with a Bright Light Show
Mystery-Style Holiday Ads
Waitrose Adds Mystery to the Festive Season with ‘Sweet Suspicion’ Ad
Inclusive Fragrance Campaigns
The 'Where Will They Take You' Campaign Highlights Influencers
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
Graffiti-Painted Beer Packaging
1664 x André Saraiva Debut a New Vibrant Collaboration
Pollution-Removing Murals
This Campaign Sucks by Dentsu Brings Awareness to London's Air Quality
Neighborhood-Inspired Campaigns
Kotn's F/W 2024 Collection is Released with a Witty Short-Film
Secret Salon Campaigns
Salon X Lets Consumers Experience a Secret Product Line
Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns
Jewelry Brand MWCurated Uses Fake Infidelity Flyers for Marketing
QSR Summer Pop-Ups
McDonald's Mexico Launched a Summer-Themed Activation in Mexico
Maximalist Pop Art Sneakers
Keiichi Tanaami Joins adidas On a Pair of its Superstars
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Vacation-Inspired Clothing Lines
Saint Holiday Emphasizes Sustainability & Ethical Manufacturing
Mindful-Shopping Campaigns
The Ordinary’s 'Slovember' Campaign Promotes Intentional Shopping
Luxury AR Packaging Solutions
Mytheresa Released App-Controlled Innovative Product Packagings
Comfort-Focused Footwear Ads
The ALDO Spring 2024 Campaign Highlights Its Pillow Walk Technology
Imaginative AI Perfumes
DUA Brand Uses AI Scent Technology to Craft Immersive Fragrances
Immersive Virtual Pop-Ups
Benefit Launches Virtual 'Benemart' Concept for Holiday Shopping
Vegan Food Branding Updates
Impossible Foods Gets a New Image by the Team at JKR
Surrealist Pink Pop-Ups
Hourglass Cosmetics is Hosting the Unreal Pop-Up Shop in NYC
Immersive Art Escape Rooms
Daydream Adventures Traps Players in an Enchanted Forest or Sci-Fi Cave
AI Fashion Photography
Adstronaut AI Creates Stunning eCommerce Images for Fashion Brands
Exquisite High Jewelry Campaigns
Boucheron's New Campaign Film Was Directed by Claire Choisne
Co-Branded Custom Ads
Lexus and Universal Pictures Partner for the 'Experience OZmazing' Spot
Mid-20th-Century Holiday Campaigns
Saks Fifth Avenue Unveiled its 'Gifts of Delight' Campaign
Swedish Streetwear Campaigns
Axel Arigato Launches its Festive 2024 Campaign
Cheerful Healthy Snack Campaigns
Garden Veggie Snacks' YUMbelievably Delicious is Innovative
Whimsical Candle Christmas Campaigns
The Yankee Candle 'Make it More Magical' Campaign is Festive
Culturally Inspired Fragrances
This New Superdry Fragrance Comes in Two Expressions
Quirky Plant-Based Food Ads
Gosh! Food's Falafel Advertisement is Surprising
Graphic Fashion Animation Campaigns
Louis Vuitton Remasters Takashi Murakami's Superflat Animation
Exploratory Art Exhibits
The Saga of the Department Stores Exhibit Explores Shopping’s Evolution
Specialty Cheese Campaigns
Alouette Unveiled its Creative 'Flavor That Sings' Campaign
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
Chicken-Centered Campaigns
KFC Released a Campaign Called 'Believe in Chicken'
Human Connection-Centric Campaigns
Etsy's New Ad Campaign Wants to Keep Commerce Human
Surreal Artist-Inspired Tech Accessories
CASETiFY Presents a New Salvador Dalí Collection
Sensory Explorative Art Exhibitions
Chromasonic Presents the Making Sense of Color Exhibition
Visually Appealing Food Campaigns
Celestial Seasonings Launches the Taste Our World Campaign
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Tom Ford Allows Consumers to Seamlessly Shop Its Spring 2024 RTW
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Fashion-Inspired Sleep Aid Campaigns
Unisom is Partnering with Fashion Designer Christian Siriano
Adventurous Tourism Campaigns
Saudi Tourism Debuts its 'This Land is Calling' Campaign
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Inspiring Daily Bodycare
method's Unleash Your Inner Shower Celebrates Personal Transformations
Imaginative Shopping Platforms
Walmart Realm Shares Influencer-Curated Shopping Environments
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Louis Vuitton Delivers Resort 2024 with an Interactive Experience
Artful Illusory Ads
giffgaff's Large-Scale Illusion Artwork Challenges Inattentional Blindness
Anniversary-Celebrating Storytelling Ads
The Walt Disney Company Mark Marvel's 85th Anniversary
Poeticized Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Club 21 Debuts its Cinematic 'Salute The Detail' Campaign
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
Comprehensive Apparel Brand Campaigns
Apparel Group Launches Its Expansive 'Summer-Time' Campaign
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Scannable Skincare Murals
The Ordinary's Interactive Augmented Reality Mural Promotes Bodycare
Playful QSR Campaigns
Cossette Forms the New McDonald's Campaign to Closest Restaurant
Global Storytelling Initatives
Vans Announces its Narrative-Centric Always Pushing Campaign
Hard-To-Read Health Campaigns
A Specsavers Campaign Encourages Movie-Goers to Check their Sight
Innovative Digital Signage
Creative Realities Enhances Fan Engagement & Outcomes with New Signage
Advanced Printing Techniques
BrandMyDispo Has Introduced Printing Techniques for Custom Mylar Bags
Hyper-Local Gym Ads
GymBox's Made for London Life Ads Juxtapose City Living and Gym-Going
Documentary-Style Hotel Campaigns
W Hotels' 'Hotel Tales' is a Captivating New Campaign
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Imaginative Cocktail Menus
Dean & Nancy on 22's World of Dreams Menu Evokes Wonder & Exploration
Alternative Butter Ads
Lurpak's Crush Expectations Redefines Plant-Based as Edgy, Not Earthy
Redefining Hotel Brand Visions
Marina Bay Sands Unveiled its 'Above Beyond' 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
Localized Destination Campaigns
Rosewood Hotels & Resort Debuts 'Discovered at Rosewood'
Revamped Juice Overhauls
Ocean Spray Announces a Brand Overhaul with Modern Influences
Disruptive Hairstyling Campaigns
Bed Head's The Lab of Life Breaks the Fourth Wall
Mango-Scented Newspaper Ads
Swiggy Instamart Launched a Scented Campaign in the Times of India
Advertising Demand-Side Platforms
Yahoo Launched Yahoo Creative to Help Advertisers
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
Boundless Art Exhibitions
The Frameless Experience Showcases Iconic Art Beyond Reality
Celebratory Odd Designs
Ridiculous Design Celebrates Weird and Wonderful Ideas Within Design
Business Slogan Generators
The Slogan Generator Will Create a Catchy Slogan for Any Business
Butter Aviation Promotions
Utterly Butterly Reignites its On-Pack Promotion with AeroSuperBatics