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A "Chronically Online" banner featuring three trending images: a dazed Duolingo owl, Pete Davidson, and a shirtless Cupid holding a rose.

ICYMI: February’s Marketing Wins & WTF Moments

Last Updated

February 28, 2025

Originally Published

February 28, 2025

Author

The Influence Agency

February’s marketing game was strong, with brands bringing bold ideas, humor, and surprise to the table. From Nike’s Super Bowl comeback to Duolingo’s viral stunt, these campaigns made waves.

So, what can we learn from the best (and quirkiest) marketing moves this month? Let’s break down the campaigns that nailed it—and what we’re absolutely stealing for March. 😉

⛹️‍♀️ Surprise, We’re Back!

Nike’s Super Bowl return wasn’t just about sneakers—it was a statement. The "So Win" campaign put female athletes like Caitlin Clark and Sha’Carri Richardson in the spotlight, proving that women’s sports belong on the biggest stage. A strategic move? Definitely. A cultural moment? Absolutely.

The Takeaway: Representation matters. When your audience sees themselves in your brand, engagement isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

💘 Raising The Bar

The Bar took an unexpected, delightfully chaotic approach to Valentine’s Day: sending out Cupids (shirtless men with cupid wings 🔥) to personally deliver products to influencers—who, of course, captured every moment. The result? A campaign that felt spontaneous, entertaining, and wildly shareable.

The Takeaway: Surprise + authenticity = engagement gold. A well-executed “stunt” taps into human emotion, making the brand more than just a product—it’s a moment worth talking about.

☎️ Ring, Ring—It’s Chappell Calling

Chappell Roan is switching things up with The Giver, her country-tinged single. To build hype, she launched billboards across the U.S. with a twist—call the number, pick a “service,” and hear a song snippet. A clever, interactive way to get fans buzzing while proving she really gets the job done.

The Takeaway: Fan engagement works! By turning a song release into a hands-on experience, Chappell Roan made fans feel part of the story—not just the audience.

A bright Spotify billboard in Times Square, New York, featuring Chappell Roan pointing and the text, "EW... Someone had a little accident."
Screenshot of Chappell Roan's Instagram Story


👩‍💻 XOXO, Your Go-To Resaler

TheRealReal is adding a playful twist to fashion resale with its new Gossip Girl-inspired Substack. This anonymous newsletter spills exclusive resale tips, trend insights, and fashion gossip.

What makes it stand out? The mystery author is a passionate RealReal customer, ensuring an authentic, unfiltered perspective—even when critiquing the company itself. 

The Takeaway: Mystery + authenticity = irresistible content. By blending insider knowledge with playful storytelling, TheRealReal turns resale into must-read entertainment.

A Substack subscription page for "The RealReal," featuring cutout-style fashion images and a sign-up form.

🪦 Duolingo’s Most Unhinged Stunt Yet

On February 11th, Duolingo shocked fans by announcing the death of its beloved mascot, Duo the Owl. The cause? A Cybertruck collision. But there was a twist—users could bring him back to life by completing lessons on the app.

Known for its chaotic, witty marketing, Duolingo turned this stunt into a masterclass in storytelling and user engagement. Fans raced to save Duo, and when he finally returned, his Instagram resurrection post racked up 1.4 million likes and 11,000 comments. Welcome back, Duo!

The Takeaway: This is peak internet humor—absurd, self-aware, and built for viral reactions. In a world where brands fight for attention, Duolingo proves that a little chaos goes a long way.

🍺 The Monday Blues

Coors Light made a “mistake” you couldn’t miss—literally. The brand turned heads with a misspelled billboard ad for "Mountain Cold Refershment," sparking attention across social media. But it was all part of their master plan.

The clever stunt introduced Mondays Light, a beer made for those sluggish starts to the week. To seal the deal, a Super Bowl ad featuring a slow-moving sloth perfectly captured the Monday mood.

The Takeaway: A well-placed "mistake" can be a powerful marketing tool. Coors Light turned a simple “oops” into a campaign that felt fun, natural, and totally shareable.

A frosty Coors Light can against a light blue background with the text "Mountain Cold Refershment" above it.
Screenshot from @coorslightcanada on Instagram

👖 Boyfriend Material 

Reformation just leveled up its relationship status—enter Pete Davidson, the face of its new men’s line. Known for sustainability and effortless style, the brand is expanding beyond womenswear, and who better than Pete to bridge the gap? He’s charming, meme-worthy, and—shockingly—knows the difference between your jeans. 

Unexpected? Yes. Genius? Absolutely.

The Takeaway: Reformation proves that an unconventional partnership can grab attention, spark conversation, and make a product launch feel like pop culture’s next big moment.

🛏️ Pillow Talk

IKEA Canada got flirty with its marketing, sliding into Canadians' DMs with a cheeky late-night "U Up?" text. The playful message wasn’t just for laughs—it cleverly targeted those who might be awake in the early morning hours, calling out the struggle of tossing and turning on an old mattress, positioning IKEA as the solution.

The Takeaway: Humor + relevance = brand connection. IKEA showed that meeting audiences where they are—in tone and platform—turns a simple message into a memorable marketing moment.

Want More?

The best marketing doesn’t just sell—it sparks emotion and engagement. Whether it’s a clever typo or an unexpected collab, these brands proved that creativity wins. Which campaign was your favorite?

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