As the resident Gen Z-er at Gingerhead (sorry ladies!), I spend a lot of time spotting the brands that really resonate with my target audience. I’m talking about the ones that show up in my feed, spark conversations in group chats, and make you want to hit “add to basket” without a second thought. Whether it’s flavour-packed wings, a scroll-stopping DJ set, or a personalised bottle of fizz, these brands are making standout moves in the marketing space.
Wingstop: welcome to Liverpool!
If you’ve walked down Liverpool city centre recently, chances are you’ve seen the queue to the new Wingstop before you’ve even smelt their signature lemon pepper and mango habanero wings.
Wingstop have absolutely nailed their entry into Liverpool. They didn’t need a massive OOH campaign or an eye-catching TV ad. Instead, they let the people do the talking, filming, and mukbanging. If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably seen people munching through boxes of saucy wings with their infamous ranch dip all over your For Your Page.
Their word-of-mouth and UGC strategy: chef’s kiss! They’ve cleverly leaned into flavour variety, including the new addition of hot honey glaze, making people want to try more than one and encourage repeat visits. Combine that with a well-buzzed about new location, and the social sharing appeal of messy, delicious food, and boom, they’ve created one of the standout brand launches of the year (being based in Liverpool, I am slightly biased!)
Mixmag: a masterclass in DJing and marketing
If you’ve ever tried to find quality music content that isn’t just your mate Dave’s ‘tech house bangers’ playlist, chances are Mixmag has already saved you. These guys are so in tune with their audience (pun intended) that their content feels more like a friend putting you on to some good tunes than a brand trying to sell you a product.
Mixmag knows exactly who they’re talking to – young, urban, music-loving people who live for a warehouse rave or sunrise set. They cover global scenes with big energy, always tapping into what’s current without trying too hard.
One thing they do really well: collaborations. From eBay to Smirnoff, they know what partnerships connect with their Gen Z audience whilst also aligning with their brand values. Then there’s their March magazine cover featuring PinkPantheress, aka the soundtrack to most people’s TikTok feed. It’s proof they know what their audience is watching, listening to, and obsessed with right now. It’s not just about the music, it’s a whole experience.
Coca-Cola: a classic brand, a classic campaign
Let’s take a little nostalgia trip. Remember the Share a Coke campaign? You’d scour every shelf in Tesco for your name, your mum’s name, or that one friend with an unusual spelling hoping they finally made the cut. Well, it’s back, and it’s had a digital glow-up!
Coca-Cola is relaunching the Share a Coke campaign, but this time, if you can’t find your name, you can scan a QR code and personalise your own bottle through the app. Smart? Yes. Emotional? Slightly. Nostalgic? Definitely!
Coke’s marketing over the years has always found a way to tap into personal connections – moments, names, memories. This campaign in particular was a huge hit back in 2013, and by bringing it back with a modern twist to include everyone, the brand understands that personalised marketing and nostalgia are fantastic marketing tactics especially for the modern-day consumer.
Massive props to the marketing teams behind the brands making us crave wings, dance in our kitchens, and remember the thrill of seeing your name on a bottle. You’re doing it right.
At gingerhead, we’re here for the big stuff too – the bold ideas, the brand glow-ups, the strategy that actually means something. A brand isn’t just a logo, it’s your story, your personality, your connection with your audience.
So if you’re ready to stop blending in and start turning heads, let’s chat. We’re all about making your brand the one people remember.
Written by Greg McKeown, Digital Marketing Executive