Our Top 5 Marketing Strategies From February

As the year picks up speed, February has delivered some seriously creative and impactful marketing campaigns. The month of love is the perfect time for brands to tug at our heartstrings with creative and heartfelt marketing campaigns. From innovative digital strategies to creative visual storytelling, brands have been setting the bar high this month. In this blog, we’re diving into the top five campaigns that caught our attention. Whether they were heartfelt, humorous, or clever, these ideas have left a lasting impression.

1. The LEGO Florist?

LEGO rolled out a global pop-up experience featuring 'Le Florist' flower trucks, inviting visitors to engage in hands-on workshops where they could craft their own LEGO Botanical stems in celebration of Valentine’s Day. In an impressive activation, LEGO also transformed their Battersea Power Station Store into a captivating florist display, using a whopping 220 LEGO sets to bring the scene to life — a project that kept the London LEGO office busy throughout the month. To amplify this experiential campaign, LEGO tapped into the power of social media, collaborating with numerous influencers across platforms. We’re big fans of multi-channel campaigns like this one, and LEGO nailed the perfect balance between in-person and digital elements.

Do you like the idea of impressing people in real life with your brand? Reach out to our Head of Experiential Lily Herring ([email protected]), to discuss how we can make your financial services brand stand out with immersive touchpoints and activations.?

2. Aldi’s Valentine’s Post?

Budget supermarket Aldi took to Facebook in a playful attempt to find a Valentine’s date, tagging big names like Specsavers, Ryanair, Primark, and Domino’s Pizza, who each added their own witty remarks to the conversation. Other major brands also quickly jumped in. This campaign is a perfect example of how brands are increasingly focusing on entertainment over traditional product promotion - a trend that’s becoming more and more prevalent across social media. In today’s digital landscape, not every post should be focused on selling. In fact, the most successful content often prioritises engagement, connection, and value over direct sales.?

At brandformula, we are the experts in all things social media, helping financial services brands elevate their online presence and connect with their audience in meaningful ways. Want to find out more? Get in touch with our Head of Digital Elliot Krieger ([email protected]).

3. The Death of the Duolingo Owl

In a shock announcement that has caused a stir across social media, Duolingo announced the death of their owl, Duo. The owl, who used to come up in a daily notification reminding users to do their lessons, had become a meme in its own right, with many users humorously expressing their disdain for the persistent bird. By killing him off, Duolingo sparked an emotional narrative that captivated audiences and generated a massive buzz. This bold and unexpected move not only got people talking but also deepened their connection to the brand, which is exactly what marketers should be aiming for. It taps into the power of storytelling and emotional engagement - two key elements that build lasting relationships with audiences.?

4. The Bridget Jones Mad About a Boy Campaign?

Of course, February saw the release of the last ever Bridget Jones film, and the marketing campaign that accompanied it was nothing short of impressive. The campaign is extensive, but one standout element is this iconic advert shown across London tube stations, using witty wordplay to draw attention and adding a fun, context-driven twist to the campaign. From a marketing perspective, this clever use of humour and strategic placement in a high-traffic space is a textbook example of how to capture attention and make a lasting impression.?

Do you appreciate engaging copywriting like this? Your audience does. Get in touch with our Business Development Director Rob Hughes ([email protected]) to discuss how brandformula can deliver tailored, compelling copy that speaks to your audience and drives engagement across all channels.

5. Heinz’s ‘It has to be’ campaign

Heinz launched a bold billboard campaign featuring its slogan ‘It Has to Be’ without using its name. Each ad focuses on classic Heinz products paired with their iconic accompaniments - such as soup with bread and ketchup with fries - delivering a powerful and instantly recognisable message. This strategy is a prime example of brand equity in action; it highlights the depth of consumer association with the Heinz brand, where the products themselves are so synonymous with quality and tradition that they felt confident omitting their name. This approach brings to mind Tesco’s adverts from last year, where food items cleverly replaced the letters in their logo. Both campaigns demonstrate a keen understanding of how brand presence, consistency, and emotional resonance can drive consumer recognition, even when traditional branding elements are left out.