Best Digital Marketing Campaigns of 2019

Some of the most memorable digital marketing campaigns of 2019 did more than promote a product. They gave people a reason to join the conversation, share their own content or see a familiar brand in a new light. From playful product launches to campaigns with a social purpose, these examples show how creativity and a clear understanding of an audience can help a brand stand out online.

“Best” is always a matter of perspective, but the campaigns below are notable for their ideas, reach or ability to encourage audience participation.

Greggs: the vegan sausage roll launch

Greggs made its vegan sausage roll a major talking point in January 20

The launch was supported by social media activity and a witty response to criticism from broadcaster Piers Morgan. The exchange spread widely online, bringing the product into conversations well beyond Greggs’ existing customers.

The campaign worked because the humour felt closely connected to the brand’s straightforward personality. It also gave people something easy to discuss and share. The takeaway for marketers is that a timely, genuine response can sometimes be more powerful than a highly polished advert.

Spotify Wrapped: a year in listening

Spotify Wrapped returned in 2019 with personalised summaries of users’ listening habits. By turning individual data into colourful, shareable stories, Spotify gave its audience a reason to promote the service themselves.

The campaign made personalisation the centre of the experience rather than simply using it to target adverts. Users could look back on their own year in music and compare their results with friends. It is a strong example of how useful, entertaining data can encourage participation and organic sharing.

LEGO: Rebuild the World

In 2019, LEGO introduced Rebuild the World, a campaign celebrating imagination and creative problem-solving. Its playful content showed the familiar building bricks as a way for children and adults to create new possibilities.

The campaign built on a simple truth about the product: LEGO is not just something to buy, but something to make with. That gave the brand a flexible creative platform for content across different channels. It also demonstrates the value of connecting a campaign to a brand’s established identity rather than chasing a short-lived trend.

Nike: Dream Crazier

Nike’s Dream Crazier campaign, narrated by Serena Williams, highlighted the way women in sport can be judged for showing ambition, emotion and determination. The film featured female athletes and reframed labels often used to criticise them as signs of strength.

The campaign made its point through storytelling rather than a list of product features. Its message was closely tied to sport and to Nike’s established focus on motivation and performance. For brands, it offers a reminder that purpose-led marketing is most convincing when it fits naturally with what the brand represents.

Dove: Project #ShowUs

Dove’s Project #ShowUs aimed to broaden the representation of women in media and advertising. Working with Getty Images and Girlgaze, the project created a collection of images intended to offer a wider range of portrayals of women and non-binary people.

Rather than relying on a single advert, the campaign created an asset that could be used by media organisations and brands. This gave the idea a practical dimension and invited others to take part. It also showed how a campaign can support a message with something tangible, not just words.

Popeyes: the chicken sandwich conversation

Popeyes’ chicken sandwich launch in the United States became a major social media talking point in 20

Rivalry and playful exchanges between fast-food brands helped fuel the discussion, while customers shared their own reactions online. Demand eventually outpaced supply, adding to the story around the product.

The episode illustrated the potential of social media to turn a product launch into a public event. It also underlined an important caution: attention needs to be matched by operational readiness. A campaign can generate excitement, but the customer experience must be able to meet expectations.

What made these campaigns effective?

• A clear idea: Each campaign could be summed up simply, making it easier for people to understand and remember.
• A reason to participate: Whether sharing listening statistics or joining a social conversation, audiences had a role beyond watching an advert.
• A distinctive brand voice: Greggs’ humour and LEGO’s creativity felt connected to their respective brands.
• Content suited to the channel: Shareable stories, short films and social exchanges were designed for the places audiences encountered them.
• A connection to real audience interests: The strongest work reflected subjects people already cared about, from music and sport to representation and creativity.

Lessons for digital marketers

The standout campaigns of 2019 show that successful digital marketing is not simply a matter of posting more often or appearing on every platform. It starts with understanding the audience and developing an idea people will want to notice, remember or share.

Personalisation can make an experience feel more relevant, humour can help a brand join a conversation, and purpose can give a campaign greater meaning. But each approach needs to suit the brand and be supported by a good customer experience. When those elements come together, digital campaigns can earn attention rather than merely compete for it.

 

Exploring the Top Digital Marketing Campaigns of 2019: Success Stories and Lessons Learned

1. What were the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?
2. Which brands created the most successful digital marketing campaigns in 2019?
3. What made the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 so effective?
4. Which 2019 campaigns used social media most successfully?
5. How did brands use personalisation in digital marketing campaigns in 2019?
6. What can businesses learn from the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?
7. Where can I find examples of award-winning digital marketing campaigns from 2019?

What were the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?

Some of the most memorable digital marketing campaigns of 2019 included Spotify Wrapped, which turned listeners’ personal music data into shareable stories; Greggs’ witty launch of its vegan sausage roll; Nike’s “Dream Crazier”, celebrating women in sport; Dove’s #ShowUs project promoting more inclusive representation; and LEGO’s “Rebuild the World”, which championed creativity. Each stood out by giving audiences a clear idea to connect with, discuss or share.

Which brands created the most successful digital marketing campaigns in 2019?

Brands including Spotify, Nike, Greggs, LEGO and Dove created some of 2019’s most talked-about digital marketing campaigns. Spotify Wrapped encouraged users to share personalised listening summaries, while Nike and Dove used purpose-led storytelling to connect with audiences. Greggs generated widespread social media attention with the launch of its vegan sausage roll, and LEGO celebrated creativity through its Rebuild the World campaign. Their success came from clear ideas, strong brand identities and content that gave people a reason to engage and share.

What made the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 so effective?

The best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 were effective because they paired a clear, memorable idea with a strong understanding of their audience. They used channels such as social media to encourage people to participate and share, while drawing on qualities that felt authentic to each brand—whether humour, personalisation, creativity or a meaningful social message. Rather than simply promoting products, they created experiences and conversations that people wanted to engage with.

Which 2019 campaigns used social media most successfully?

Several 2019 campaigns used social media particularly well. Greggs’ vegan sausage roll launch sparked widespread discussion through playful, timely posts, while Spotify Wrapped encouraged users to share personalised summaries of their listening habits. Popeyes’ chicken sandwich launch also gained momentum through customer posts and light-hearted exchanges between brands. Each campaign gave people something worth talking about, helping audiences spread the message themselves.

How did brands use personalisation in digital marketing campaigns in 2019?

In 2019, brands used personalisation to make digital campaigns feel more relevant and encourage people to take part. Spotify Wrapped was a standout example, turning each user’s listening data into a colourful, shareable review of their year in music. Other campaigns used audience insights to tailor messages, recommendations and content to people’s interests or behaviour. The strongest approaches made personalisation useful or entertaining, while giving customers control over what they shared.

What can businesses learn from the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?

Businesses can learn that the strongest digital marketing campaigns start with a clear idea rooted in the brand and its audience. Campaigns such as Spotify Wrapped showed how personal, shareable content can encourage people to take part, while Greggs’ playful social media response demonstrated the value of a distinctive, timely brand voice. The key is to choose channels and formats that suit the message, give audiences a reason to engage, and make sure the customer experience can deliver on the attention generated.

Where can I find examples of award-winning digital marketing campaigns from 2019?

You can find examples of award-winning digital marketing campaigns from 2019 in the archives of major industry awards, including Cannes Lions, The Drum Awards, the Webby Awards, D&AD and the Effie Awards. Their websites often feature case studies, campaign videos and details of the creative idea and results. Search by award year and category—such as social, digital, branded content or online film—and check marketing publications such as Campaign and Adweek for coverage and analysis.