8 Interactive Marketing Examples to Boost Engagement

At its core, interactive content is a marketing experience designed for user participation. 

In fact, research shows that consumers who had tactile interactions with products, even via a touchscreen, reported 24% higher purchase intentions than those who merely viewed images.

This clearly demonstrates the importance of interaction. Think of it as a two-way system where your brand delivers content that resonates and drives meaningful engagement with potential users

And in a crowded marketplace where 88% of marketers believe interactive content helps differentiate their brands from competitors, standing out is no longer optional—it's crucial

So if you're looking for inspiration, here are 8 recent examples of brands using online and offline platforms to deliver their interactive marketing campaigns.

Online Interactive Marketing Examples

Interactive demos: Stairwell’s choose-your-own-adventure demo

Imagine you're a potential buyer faced with two options: a static landing page that you have to visit to read about the product or an interactive platform that lets you explore the product firsthand for free. Which one would leave a lasting impression?

Enter Stairwell, the cybersecurity company that's using interactive demos to engage its users. Their interactive demo is like a choose-your-own-adventure book, and here's what makes it stand out: 

• No gate-keeping: Visitors can freely explore without any log-ins or sharing their contact info upfront. 
• Feature focus: They spotlight unique features that are hard to explain with words alone. It's show, don't tell, at its finest.
• User-driven journey: Viewers can pick their own adventure, focusing on sections that interest them most. 

The result? A 50% boost in engagement rates! Now, that's what we call putting your USP upfront and seeing the magic happen. 

If you're thinking about implementing this example for your product, request a demo or create your first demo in under 10 minutes with Storylane.

Also read: Awesome interactive demo examples

Gamification marketing: Descope's PassWORDLE

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Who says cybersecurity can't be fun? Descope certainly doesn't think so. They've turned password creation into a gamified experience that's more addictive than your morning coffee.

Gamification marketing involves applying game-design elements and game principles in non-game contexts to engage your target audience and create enjoyable experiences.

Their Wordle-inspired password game is a step away from traditional marketing and serves multiple purposes: 

• Attention-grabbing: It captures audience's attention and encourages engagement with the brand.
• Educational: It subtly teaches users about password complexity. Sneaky, but effective!
• Brand differentiation: In the serious world of cybersecurity, it makes Descope stand out like a unicorn at a horse race.

The takeaway? Sometimes, the best way to engage your audience is to make them forget they're being marketed to. Now, that's what we call a win-win!

Social proof marketing: Zara's take on Customer Content

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User-generated content (UGC) has become a powerful marketing tool to generate buzz and reach Gen Z consumers. UGC—content created by users rather than brands—is valued for its authenticity and relatability, serving as effective social proof.

Recognizing this trend, fashion giant Zara has begun testing UGC on its e-commerce platform. This marks a significant shift from their traditional editorial-style imagery to more realistic, customer-created content.

Here's why Zara's UGC strategy is more on-trend than bell-bottom jeans in the 70s:

• Authenticity: Real customers wearing real clothes in real settings. It's like a fashion show but with the brand's target audience.
• Diversity: Showcasing products on various body types and in different settings. It's inclusivity that doesn't feel forced.
• Customer connection: By embracing UGC, Zara is acknowledging the value of customer perspectives 

The result? A customer-centric approach that's reshaping how fashion brands approach online marketing and potential customers. It's not just a tactic; it's a recognition that the customer is not just always right – they're also your best model!

AR/VR experiences: Pokemon Go's AR experience

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Remember when Pokémon Go had everyone walking into lampposts trying to catch virtual creatures? Well, they've evolved their AR technology now and are captivating younger audiences with their interactive marketing strategy. 

Niantic launched a new Rewarded AR ads format. Here's how it enhances player experience while marketing smartly: 

• Immersive experiences: Users interact with branded content in the game world. It's a shift from traditional marketing methods like billboards to product placements in interactive content!
• Incentivized engagement: Players earn in-game items for interacting with ads. It's a win-win situation that doesn't feel like a hard sell.
• Real-world connection: For instance, in a partnership with Circle K, players could engage with a 3D coffee cup to earn in-game items, followed by a call-to-action to visit nearby stores. It's marketing that's bridging the digital and physical worlds faster than you can say "Gotta catch 'em all!"

The results? A staggering 76% engagement rate and 95% completion rate. This sets an example for other companies and could reshape how brands approach interactive marketing in gaming and beyond.

Best Interactive Marketing Examples: Offline

Experiential marketing: Corona's Eco-Friendly Activation

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Corona has found a way to make drinking beer on the beach even more satisfying (yes, it's possible!). Their innovative eco-friendly activation was an immersive, hands-on experience that engaged consumers directly with the brand in a meaningful and memorable way.

Here's what they did: They introduced a Corona Crusher machine, the star of the show. Beachgoers could enjoy their beer and then bring their empty clear bottles to the crusher. They witnessed firsthand as their bottles were ground into sand—a mesmerizing process transforming waste into a useful resource.

It's an inspiring example of how brands can create a marketing campaign that combines product enjoyment with environmental responsibility. For Corona, it's not just about selling beer; it's about creating a customer experience that goes beyond the last sip.

CGI marketing: Twelve Final Days by Amazon Prime

Roger Federer just served an ace in the world of CGI marketing. Federer's new promotional marketing campaign for "Twelve Final Days" showcases the power of well-executed CGI in marketing by transforming London's Tower Bridge into a giant tennis court.

Here's why this ad is a grand slam:

• Visual spectacle: The CGI turns a familiar landmark into something extraordinary. This creative use of CGI not only captures attention but also effectively conveys the documentary's theme of Federer's career journey.
• Emotional resonance: In the advertisement, young Federer rallies with his older self, symbolizing his career journey. It's nostalgia meets futurism in one neat package.

This interactive marketing example, shared on Prime Video's official social media, demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can create immersive and emotionally resonant marketing experiences.

Functional OOH marketing: IKEA's Sun Reflecting Billboard

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IKEA Sweden has taken billboard advertising and turned it into a public service. 

They launched a creative interactive marketing campaign via outdoor advertising that went beyond visual appeal to provide actual warmth. In response to Sweden's often chilly summers, IKEA developed a functional billboard that reflected sunlight onto shaded outdoor seating areas.

Talk about functional advertising! Here's why it works:

• Real-world impact: They installed a GPS-controlled mirror that adjusted in real-time to the sun's position, providing tangible warmth to café-goers. It's not just advertising; it's problem-solving!
• Brand alignment: It a visual representation of IKEA's ethos of maximizing resources and showcases their product effectively
• Memorable experience: People will associate IKEA with warmth and comfort. It's brand positioning at its finest.

The result? A campaign that's providing a tangible benefit (warmth) rather than just visual information. It's a prime example of functional advertising that creates a memorable brand experience by solving a real-world problem using the brand's products in a creative way.

QR Code Scavenger hunts: Coinbase's Superbowl ad

Remember when Coinbase's 2022 Super Bowl ad made everyone do a double-take? It was a simple yet brilliant move - a short video with a colorful, bouncing QR Code that left viewers scrambling to scan it.

Simple, yet innovative, right? Within one minute, over 20 million people had scanned that code, temporarily crashing Coinbase's website from the sheer volume of traffic. And if that wasn't impressive enough, the Coinbase app also skyrocketed to the second spot on the App Store - talk about interactive marketing done right!

So, what made Coinbase's approach so game-changing? It comes down to these:

• Real-time engagement: By using a QR code, they turned passive viewers into active participants, creating a measurable way for their audience to interact with the brand.
• Accessible content, a scan away: Such marketing strategies bridge the gap between traditional TV advertising and digital engagement via QR Codes. 

This strategy represents a shift in how brands can engage audiences during major televised events. Instead of one way communication, with interactive marketing you can now drive direct, real-time engagement and more conversions- no matter how big the stage.

So, the next time you're planning to incorporate interactive marketing, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Who knows, your very own QR Code scavenger hunt or interactive videos might just be the key to scoring a touchdown with your audience.

Wrapping up: Don't just market, engage

From Stairwell's choose-your-own-adventure demos to Corona's eco-friendly beach activations, many brands are leveraging interactive content to engage customers, solve problems, and create memorable experiences.

These examples showcase a fundamental shift in marketing strategy. It's no longer about shouting your message from the rooftops; it's about creating personalized content and engaging experiences. Whether it's through gamification, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, or functional out-of-home advertising, the key is to create interactive experiences that resonate, educate, and, yes, even entertain.

So, when you plan your next marketing move, ask yourself: Is your marketing game doing enough to turn passive scrollers into active participants? If not, you have these 8 strategies outlined above to get started with!