October was packed with bold, scroll-stopping campaigns that had everyone talking. From nostalgic collabs and internet-fueled humor to brands leading with purpose and personality, these launches prove that creativity is still the ultimate trend. Here are the standout marketing moments we loved this month and why they worked.
🔥 Crocs: T-Pain Unfurgettable Boots Collab
Crocs just brought a 2008 club classic to life with a new collab featuring T-Pain, inspired by Flo Rida’s iconic hit “Low.” The brand went all in on the details, creating its tallest boots yet with a total of 25 accessories. The collab is a perfect dose of nostalgia, blending mid-2000s energy with today’s love for bold, statement pieces. It’s fun, flashy, and proof that Crocs knows exactly how to keep cultural moments alive.
Takeaway
By blending music nostalgia with bold design, Crocs shows how to make a throwback feel fresh. The T-Pain collab taps into pop culture memories while staying true to the brand’s playful identity, reminding everyone that good marketing still knows how to have fun.
🪓 Axe: Emily Zugay Can Redesign
Axe has teamed up with Emily Zugay, the internet’s favorite “bad graphic designer,” known for her dry humor and hilariously absurd brand makeovers. This time, she set her sights on Axe, creating a logo she says “wasn’t made for boys in middle school locker rooms, but men.” In a clever move, Axe turned the joke into reality, releasing the redesigned can on Walmart’s website. It’s witty, self-aware, and proof that the brand understands internet culture perfectly.
Takeaway
This collab is a standout example of social listening done right. Axe paid attention to what audiences were laughing about and joined the conversation in a smart, authentic way. The brand didn’t just listen—it took the joke further by making it a reality.
🩷 Gap: Sandy Liang Collab
Gap is on a serious successful collab streak this year. After its viral drop with KATSEYE, the brand teamed up with designer Sandy Liang for a nostalgia-fueled collection that reimagines Gap’s early 2000s staples through a girly-grunge lens. The launch came with a dreamy short film, Sandy’s Dream Closet, that perfectly blends softness and edge. It’s a fresh take on classic Gap energy and another strong step in the brand’s Gen Z revival.
Takeaway
Gap’s recent partnerships show that the brand is listening closely to its audience. By teaming up with designers and celebrities who understand modern nostalgia, Gap connects with Gen Z shoppers who grew up alongside the brand. Each collab feels fresh, memorable, and made for today’s culture. We can’t say we’re not excited for their holiday campaign (stay tuned).
⚾️ Toronto Blue Jays: #WANTITALL
The Toronto Blue Jays’ #WANTITALL campaign turned the World Series into a masterclass in sports branding. From cinematic edits to jaw-dropping graphics, the team’s social and design crew built a visual world that matched the intensity of playoff baseball. Every post, clip, and billboard felt intentional, bold, emotional, and perfectly Toronto. Even after the final inning, the campaign stands out with its creativity, ultimately reuniting Canadians from coast to coast through nostalgia and pride.
Takeaway
The #WANTITALL campaign proves that great sports marketing is about more than scores. By leaning into emotion, design, and city pride, the Blue Jays built a brand moment that transcended the game and united more fans.
💄 e.l.f.: Annual Impact Report Campaign
e.l.f. Beauty is doubling down on purpose with its new global campaign, Give an e.l.f., launched alongside its fourth annual Impact Report. The brand is handing the mic to consumers, asking them to share what they “give an e.l.f.” about while celebrating its own commitment to being bold disruptors with kind hearts. Rolling out across social, digital, print, and a massive NYC activation, the campaign proves that e.l.f. continues to lead with values and heart in a time when many brands are pulling back.
Takeaway
e.l.f. is reminding the industry that standing for something still matters. By putting purpose and inclusion front and center, the brand connects with consumers who want more than just products. Give an e.l.f. is smart, human, and proof that authenticity remains e.l.f.’s biggest competitive edge regardless of what is going on within the industry.
🎄 Ocean Spray: ‘Cranpus’ Holiday Ad
Ocean Spray is fully embracing cranberry season with a hilariously festive twist. Their new holiday campaign introduces ‘Cranpus’, a cranberry-obsessed grump played by Bryan Cranston who’s determined to make cranberries the star of every table this holiday season. With clever storytelling and nostalgic holiday chaos, Ocean Spray turns what could’ve been another cozy ad into a cranberry-fueled comedy ad. It’s quirky, playful, and the perfect mix of tradition and absurdity that makes it impossible not to love.
Takeaway
By leaning into humor and seasonal nostalgia, Ocean Spray shows how a brand can own its niche in a playful way. The Cranpus character transforms a simple product into a personality, proving that strong storytelling and bold casting can make even a berry unforgettable.
Want More?
Storytelling this and nostalgia that — those were the real main characters of this month’s campaigns. From throwback collabs to purpose-driven creativity, brands proved that emotion and originality are still the strongest plays in the marketing game.
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