Halloween has grown from a day of costumes and candy to a massive opportunity for brands to connect with audiences in creative and memorable ways. Each year, we see brands go all out with spooky, fun, and even hilarious campaigns that make a lasting impact. This Halloween season, some brands truly stood out by tapping into the holiday spirit with clever campaigns that kept people talking long after the candy was gone.

Here are our top picks for the best Halloween marketing campaigns that left a lasting impression!

1. Liquid Death – Martha Stewart Dismembered Moments Candle

Liquid Death, the edgy canned water brand, surprised everyone with a Halloween campaign featuring none other than Martha Stewart. Known for her DIY charm, Stewart brought a spooky twist to Halloween with the “Dismembered Moments Luxury Candle.” The campaign video shows a calm, sweet-talking Martha promoting the candle amidst fake blood, dramatic screams, and heavy metal music. It’s unexpected, it’s creepy, and it’s classic Halloween fun. By blending Stewart’s calming presence with Liquid Death’s dark humour, the campaign quickly went viral, showing the power of an unexpected collaboration to create buzz.

Liquid Death – Martha Stewart Dismembered Moments Candle

2. Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola – A Scary Halloween Rivalry

In a playful Halloween jab at their competitor, Pepsi released an ad featuring a Pepsi can dressed in a red “Cola-Coca” cape, poking fun at Coca-Cola with the tagline “We wish you a scary Halloween.” The clever branding and twist on the Coca-Cola logo turned heads, especially on social media, where fans enjoyed the humour. But the fun didn’t stop there. A Coca-Cola fan reposted the ad, tweaking it to feature Coca-Cola’s logo and tagline, “Everybody wants to be a hero.” This fan edit went viral, giving Coca-Cola an unexpected boost in the Halloween ad game. The campaign showcased how a playful rivalry can get fans involved and create a win-win for both brands.

3. Burger King – Come Like a Clown, Eat Like a King

Known for its bold marketing, Burger King launched the “Come Like a Clown, Eat Like a King” campaign, inviting customers to dress as clowns for Halloween to get a free Whopper. This playful jab at their rival’s famous clown mascot resonated well with fans, who enjoyed the brand’s tongue-in-cheek humour. By using Halloween as a backdrop, Burger King not only encouraged customer interaction but also reaffirmed its brand personality. It’s a perfect example of how a bit of friendly competition can make Halloween marketing memorable.

4. Heinz – The Tomato Blood Costume Kit

Heinz embraced the spooky spirit with its Halloween “Tomato Blood” costume kit, turning its iconic ketchup into the perfect Halloween prop. The limited-edition kit included “Tomato Blood” ketchup bottles along with makeup tools to help people create gory costumes. The campaign was a hit on social media, with fans loving the clever rebranding of a familiar household item. By creating a product that fits right into Halloween fun, Heinz turned their ketchup into a must-have holiday accessory.

5. Kit Kat’s Never-Ending Candy Bowl

Kit Kat’s Halloween campaign addressed every trick-or-treater’s dream: never-ending candy. The “Never-Ending Candy Bowl” was a clever, fun way to keep Kit Kat top-of-mind during the season. The bowl “magically” refilled itself, making sure no one went home empty-handed. It was a hit among families, kids, and Halloween enthusiasts, capturing attention both in-person and online. Kit Kat’s approach showcased the brand’s playful side, leaving a sweet impression on Halloween fans.

Summary

These standout Halloween campaigns show that when brands embrace creativity and playfulness, they can make a lasting impact. Whether it’s a surprising collaboration like Liquid Death and Martha Stewart, a friendly rivalry like Pepsi and Coca-Cola, or a clever product twist like Heinz’s Tomato Blood, these campaigns demonstrate the power of Halloween marketing.

This October, take inspiration from these brands and remember: Halloween marketing success lies in combining the spooky with the fun and letting your brand’s personality shine.