The Best Viral Video Campaigns and What You Can Learn from Them
At photocallshutter, we’ve seen our fair share of viral video campaigns that have taken the internet by storm. From heartwarming stories to hilarious skits, viral videos capture audiences’ attention and spread like wildfire across social media platforms far and wide.
In today’s digital landscape, creating the best viral video campaigns can catapult your brand into the spotlight, generating buzz and boosting engagement like never before. But what makes a video campaign truly viral-worthy? And how can your brand craft content that stands out in an increasingly crowded digital space?
Here we’ll look at 8 of the most successful viral video campaigns, dissecting what made them tick and offering insights on how you can apply these lessons to your own video marketing strategy. Get ready to be inspired and equipped with the knowledge to create your next thumbstopping viral hit!
Creating a viral video campaign can skyrocket your brand’s visibility, engagement, and sales. Below, we highlight some of the most successful viral video campaigns and what made them so impactful.
1. NIKE - "JUST DO IT"
The Nike “Dream Crazier” campaign acquired over 400 million impressions across all platforms, and over 100 million views on YouTube alone. This viral video campaign by the creatives at Nike shines a spotlight on female athletes who have broken barriers, brought people together through their performance and inspired generations of athletes to chase after their dreams. It inspires people from all backgrounds and gives viewers the motivation to succeed in whatever they choose to do.
This motivation-driven marketing strategy lines Nike up with their previous slogan – Just Do It. Genius marketing, and video production at its finest.
2. RYANAIR – "THE KINGS OF TIKTOK COMEDY"
Ryanair took a humorous, self-deprecating approach to their TikTok strategy, engaging audiences with relatable airline jokes and fun trends.
Ryanair has a reputation for being one of the most engaging airline accounts on social media due to its witty responses to customer enquiries. Perhaps due to the comedic delivery, perhaps due to the cheek nature of the banter, Ryanair has legendary status on TikTok with many of their videos going viral.
The marketing team specialise in self-mockery and oneupmanship, to the delight of viewers who are quick to share these hilarious short clips. Humour has become an increasingly popular marketing strategy for companies looking to engage with customers uniquely and memorably.
One such video which went viral was Ryanair sharing a tip from someone about how you can get more clothes in your luggage by stuffing a neck pillow. Ryanair takes the genius angle of adding a ‘stuffed pillow charge’ to anyone attempting to replicate the stunt, and it amused viewers to the sweet tune of 3.9M views (and counting).
💡 Lesson: Leaning into humor and platform-specific trends can boost engagement and humanize your brand.
3. L’ORÉAL – "BECAUSE YOU’RE WORTH IT"
Having a bad day? In this powerful video by L’Oreal, the iconic Kate Winslet explains how to turn that around. She says that you just have to look at yourself as you are without all the makeup and glam, and embrace your qualities and your faults. As she removes her makeup, she explains that we are all equals and need to stand in our truth and be proud of our imperfections and differences. This video is simple yet powerful, inspiring viewers to take the power back and have the confidence to just be themselves. Watch Kate’s video to feel empowered about your own self-worth.
4. DUOLINGO
Language learning app DuoLingo has amassed an enormous following on TikTok thanks to the unique insight of Zaria Parvez, the company’s global social media manager. Using a green cuddly owl called Duo as its mascot and centre of the sitcom it creates, the company manages to engage with viewers in a lighthearted way.
Parvez explains, “Once trends would pop up, we’d match the trends to the ideas we already had, and that really allowed space for quick approvals for new videos, so these could go live sooner than usual. Being proactive rather than reactive helped break through the noise.”
This video has had 65.8m views so far and is simple yet effective, providing a shareable asset which people will use time and time again to prompt their friends into action.
💡 Lesson: Authenticity + Creativity = Maximum Engagement.
5. JUST EAT – DID SOMEBODY SAY JUST EAT
With over 4.2M views, Just Eat’s video featuring American singer-songwriter Katy Perry hit the viral stakes by fusing food, fashion and music. Viewers are given a whistle-stop tour of her fantastical Barbie-esque world, complete with, piano playing puppets, eccentric outfits, and of course fabulous takeaway food. The video capitalises on Katy’s star power and playful personality, engaging viewers with a catchy tune and vibrant visuals.
6. CADBURY’S – GORILLA
What screams ‘chocolate’ more than a gorilla playing a Phil Collins drum solo? Exactly. When the director first showed this video to the client, they said “You are never showing this ad”. However, a few months later they succumbed. The ad went viral, watched by millions on YouTube and inspiring parodies from the likes of Wonderbra, The Mighty Boosh and Children in Need. It won a clutch of industry awards and was celebrated creatively, but people talk less about its business success – the return on investment was actually three times the normal level and sales of Cadburys chocolate went up by 10%. Director Juan Cabral says:
“A brand needs to go to the heart and not to the brain. Gorilla is – in those 90 seconds – trying to take you somewhere. You have to go out and flirt and seduce. You need to feel like there’s humanity there. If you feel there’s a corporation, the outcome is terrible,”
7. BARBIE – THE DREAM GAP PROJECT
Since 1959 Barbie has worked to create a world where girls see unlimited possibilities. Starting at age 5, many girls begin to develop limiting self-beliefs. They stop believing their gender can do or be anything. The Barbie Dream Gap Project is a global mission dedicated to closing the gap by challenging gender stereotypes and helping undo the biases that hold girls back from reaching their full potential.
This viral video underpins the message that 5-year-old girls can and should be empowered to believe that they can achieve anything. It has amassed millions of views since its launch in 2019 and continues to do so.
9. SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE
Since 2019, Surfers Against Sewage have held their annual Plastic Free Awards to celebrate those fighting the growing plastic tide. We were asked to create an award intro video that would stir action and inspire change.
As 1% for the Planet Members, we commit to giving at least 1% of our turnover to climate-focused causes every year. So for this project, we undertook some of the work pro bono to help give back to this vital cause. We needed to make sure that this video had high-quality stock footage that provided the right context for the powerful voiceover. Our team then pulled this all together with music and sound design to create the stunning final video wich has been shared thousands of times across social media and beyond.
HOW MANY VIEWS IS A VIRAL VIDEO?
There’s no hard and fast rule for how many views make a video “viral,” as the definition can vary depending on context and industry. Going viral isn’t just about view count – it’s about creating a significant impact and generating conversation around your content. Quality engagement and brand lift are often more valuable than raw numbers. That said, many marketers consider a video to have “gone viral” when it reaches at least 5 million views within a 3-7 day period. However, this number can vary widely.
WHAT’S THE BEST PLATFORM FOR MAKING A VIRAL VIDEO CAMPAIGN?
When it comes to launching a viral video campaign, choosing the right platform can make or break your success. But here’s the kicker: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The “best” platform depends on your target audience, content type, and campaign goals.
That said, some platforms have proven to be viral hotbeds. TikTok, with its algorithm that can catapult unknown creators to stardom overnight, is currently the golden child of viral content. YouTube, the OG of video sharing, still packs a punch with its massive user base and long-form potential. Instagram Reels and Facebook are strong contenders, especially for brands looking to tap into existing follower bases. Don’t sleep on LinkedIn for B2B viral potential either – it’s not just for job hunting anymore.
It’s often not about picking just one platform, but strategically cross-posting and tailoring your content to each platform’s unique strengths. Remember, the best platform is wherever your audience is hanging out and most likely to engage with your content. So, do your homework, know your audience, and don’t be afraid to experiment across multiple channels. After all, virality loves a good plot twist!
WHAT KIND OF VIDEOS GO VIRAL?
Ever wonder what makes a video catch fire online? It’s like capturing lightning in a bottle, but certain types of content seem to have that spark more often than others.
FUNNY OR RELATABLE CONTENT
There’s something oddly satisfying about watching others experience the same daily struggles we face. It’s humour with a side of “been there, done that”. Humour is the internet’s universal language so funny or relatable video content often amasses a high level of engagement. Spoofs of popular culture, trends, or even other viral content can quickly gain traction. Content that makes viewers feel seen and understood has a special kind of viral potential. It’s like holding up a mirror to your audience and saying, “Hey, we get you!”. When you combine funny with relatable, you’ve got a potent mix. It’s not just about making people laugh; it’s about making them feel connected.
VIDEOS THAT TAP INTO POPULAR TRENDS
Trends are fleeting, but their viral potential is mighty. Timing is everything with popular trend videos – tapping into a trend early can be the catalyst which propels your video to success. However, be warned not to just copy the trend; give it your own flavour and ensure that the remix outshines the original. Walking the line between trendy and try-hard is an art in itself. The key is to make it look effortless, even if you’ve spent hours perfecting that seemingly casual TikTok dance.
SHAREABILITY
Shareability is the rocket fuel of viral content. It’s what turns a video from a quiet whisper into a global conversation. As we’ve seen with the viral video examples above, content that makes people feel something – whether it’s joy, empowerment, or even outrage – gets shared. Likewise, life hacks and good advice get shared around as it’s human nature to want to help others (and show off that we saw it first). Remember: making content shareable isn’t about begging for shares. It’s about creating something so compelling that not sharing feels wrong.
GOOD VIDEO PRODUCTION
Good video production is the polish that makes you content shine brighter than the rest. Crisp, clear visuals grab attention and keep eyeballs glued to the screen, inspiring viewers to want to watch more. Thoughtful framing and camera angles guide the viewer’s eye and enhance storytelling. In a sea of video content, high production value helps you stand out.
However, sometimes a raw, genuine moment can outperform a slick production. The key is knowing when to amp up the production value and when to keep it real, and this is something we excel at here at Bull & Wolf.
WANT YOUR NEXT VIDEO CAMPAIGN TO STAND OUT?
If you want advice and a chat about making a video campaign for you or your brand, get in touch today and let’s explore the possibilities!
