Team AdfluenceIf we ask you what was the last thing you saw on the internet, would you be able to recall it? Was it an advertisement, an engaging post, or a funny meme? And if we show you all of the above, what are you most likely to remember? Chances are that for a huge majority, the answer will be memes. The fact that you can recall Hera Pheri memes more than a brand post states one simple fact: memes are the hottest conversation currency today.
The fact that we can recall Hera Pheri memes more than a brand post states one simple fact: memes are the hottest conversation currency today. Click To Tweet
Memes are undoubtedly one of the most popular ways of content consumption. Whether it’s a still from a famous TV series or the viral (and disappointed) Pakistani fan, audiences love relatable, understandable, and humorous content. This is clearly validated by the huge flow of memes on any social media platform. So, if society is eager to consume content in the form of memes, shouldn’t brands start decorating their promotion platter with the same?
If society is eager to consume content in the form of memes, shouldn't brands start decorating their promotion platter with the same? Click To Tweet
Brands doing it right with meme marketing
Most audiences know Netflix, Swiggy, or Zomato because of their services. However, many more know them for the relatable and engaging content they put out on their social media handles. Gone are the days when memes were considered too uncouth for brand promotion. Brands are now using the voice of the people to talk to the people. So let’s look at how big brands are using meme marketing to get their message out.
Most audiences know Netflix, Swiggy, or Zomato because of their services. However, many more know them for the relatable and engaging content they put out on their social media handles. Click To Tweet
Zomato’s memes for the win!
Zomato has been amongst the firsts in India to explore the connection between memes and brand promotion. From Moin Akhtar’s Kha le to Pawri ho rahi hai, Zomato always aces it when it comes to meme marketing.
Here are a few noteworthy memes you can check out:
- Cricket, moment marketing, and Zomato are definitely complementary.
- Pop culture memes never cease to amaze.
- Zomato also often engages with Twitter celebrities. (Eg.: Here’s a to-and-fro with @sagarcasm)
Quirky Swiggy isn’t far behind
Like Zomato, Swiggy’s moment marketing is always on point. It often makes memes on viral Twitter trends or contemporary issues. Here’s one on the ‘Monisha beta’ trend. Swiggy has also picked up on famous TV series, including Mirzapur and Sacred Games.
Swiggy's moment marketing is always on point. It often makes memes on viral Twitter trends or contemporary issues - from Monisha Beta to Sacred Games. Click To Tweet
Here’s a look at Swiggy’s UI if Gaitonde bhau designed it. And don’t miss the subtle Money Heist reference in the caption!
Disney+ Hotstar jumping on the bandwagon
If all the big brands are taking advantage of meme marketing, how could we expect Disney+ Hotstar to stay behind? We saw shows like The Empire and 101 Dalmatians spin-off Cruella being featured on famous social media handles.
A recently released Disney+ Hotstar movie Eternals was also spotted on various meme pages with a huge follower base. Twitter/Instagram influencer @haramiparindey also curated a reel with the tag #DisneyPlusDay for upcoming shows and movies on Disney+ Hotstar in November.
Memes are witty, conversational, and have great recall value. Thus, they are undoubtedly one of the most authentic ways a brand can converse with its audience. Click To Tweet
And look at Amazon Prime Video flaunting
Count on Amazon to make the best of the meme marketing. Many big social media handles used stills from Prime Video shows to make memes, bringing up anticipation among the audience. Content creators like Swatkat continuously use stills and hashtags to create awareness about new shows (like Dom, Hostel Daze), movies (Chehre), and even sales events. Prime Video also makes its own memes and successfully connects itself to the everyday lives of people.
Of course, it’s not just the bigger brands cashing in on memes. Smaller brands like Moj, Slice Cards, and ALTBalaji have also been featured on famous meme pages.
Besides being funny, memes can fulfil all of the purposes of marketing. They’re witty, conversational, and have great recall value. They are undoubtedly one of the most authentic ways a brand can converse with its audience. However, it would help to keep some things in mind before jumping into meme marketing. You must stay true to your brand tonality and voice, even if it means letting go of memes. You should also avoid posting dead memes, as relevance is the key. Above all, you shouldn’t try too hard, as there’s nothing cringier than a brand trying to be something it’s not.
You must always stay true to your brand tonality and voice, even if it means letting go of memes. Also, you shouldn't try too hard, as there's nothing cringier than a brand trying to be something it's not. Click To Tweet
Whether it’s posting your own memes or getting featured on prominent pages, meme marketing is the opportunity of the hour. So get your brand communication a breath of fresh air with memes. Because with brands like Amazon, Netflix, and Zomato going all out, meme marketing definitely seems like it’s here to stay.
