Five of 2021’s spookiest Halloween ads
After a nightmarish festive period last year, and trick-or-treating firmly canceled, Halloween celebrations are back in 2021 and brands are embracing the spooky season in all its gruesome glory. Here are five of the top ads run so far this year.
These five brands are embracing the Halloween festivities this year
Recent research has shown that UK Halloween ad spend is set to smash through £500m for the first time this year, which in comparison to the US’s $8bn spend is still relatively low. But there are big bucks to be made for brands looking to spellbind consumers with their offerings.
From Burger King’s witching hour Whopper to Domino’s fearless deliveries and Chipotle’s mysterious metaverse, campaigns are in full hocus pocus mode.
Let’s look at the most spine-tingling spots from around the globe.
Burger King: 3am Apparitions
To celebrate All Hallows’ Eve, Burger King is giving away free food, with one scary stipulation – you must order it during the witching hour.
The fast-food chain is well known for loving a bit of hocus pocus at this time of year and has once again teamed up with creative agency David Madrid to let consumers know about the devilishly good deal.
Every day in the lead-up to October 31, at 3am for one hour only a different free meal will appear on the Burger King app. Fast-food lovers just need to download it and wait for the apparitions to occur.
Chipotle: Boorito
Fast Mexican chain Chipotle is giving its annual Boorito Halloween event a digital makeover. Tapping into the metaverse trend, the restaurant is opening the first virtual Roblox storefront and erecting a spooky digital maze full of exclusive brand offers for gamers.
Now in its 21st year of celebrating Halloween with its burrito giveaway event, Chipotle announced it will open a virtual location and debut a Halloween-themed corn maze on popular gaming platform Roblox. The brand is the first restaurant to open up shop in the virtual world.
Through the experience, which includes access to exclusive digital Halloween costumes and Roblox items, Chipotle has committed to giving away $1m in free burritos to the first 30,000 participants who try out the maze and visit the in-game restaurant. The promotion will run from October 28-31.
Domino’s: Spooky Streets
By day, Portugal is famed for its beautiful scenery and charming streets, but like any city, by night things can look a little... spooky.
To celebrate Halloween, Domino’s Pizza has teamed up with creative agency Leo Burnett Lisboa to celebrate some of these stunning streets – with a twist.
To test the bravery of its pizza-loving consumers, Domino’s is seeing if they have what it takes to order a pizza in one of these terrifying locations. Those who do, and decide to spend Halloween night with Domino’s Pizza, will be rewarded with an extra pizza.
It’s a campaign for the brave, where the real terror, apparently, is left only to those who miss this opportunity. After all, if they aren’t afraid to order, Domino’s Pizza is not afraid to deliver. As always.
Heinz: Tomato Blood
Heinz is encouraging consumers to take a DIY approach to their Halloween costumes this year by using its ketchup as fake blood.
Developed by agency partner Wieden+Kennedy NY, Heinz will release a limited-edition ‘tomato blood’ costume kit to help celebrators kick off trick-or-treat season.
There will also be a full Halloween real-life experience in Los Angeles where guests can pick up merch and begin decorating outfits at the interactive ‘drip stations’ in the weeks leading up to the holiday.
General Mills: A Monster Miracle
After decades apart, everyone’s favorite monster supergroup is back together and rocking out – just in time for Halloween.
Monster Mash singers Boo Berry, Franken Berry, Count Chocula, Yummy Mummy and Frute Brute have made the long-awaited return to celebrate the 50th anniversary of General Mills’ Monster Cereals.
In the tongue-in-cheek spot, we see all five members of the group discuss the infamous breakup, what it’s been like being back together and a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process of an updated version of the Mash – with guest appearances from Travis Barker and Lucky the Leprechaun.
Vote for these ghoulish marketing campaigns on The Drum’s creepy Creative Works section.