Spotify is more than a popular, iconic streaming service. It’s a platform for businesses to reach an audience—specifically Millennials and Generation Z—through advertising. And there’s much to be learned from the brands that know how to do it right. Read on for some examples of companies who have advertised on Spotify in smart, creative ways that push the envelope and speak directly to their target audience:
Pepsi “Maxes” Summer Fun
Armed with the knowledge that customers are more likely to crave a cold drink in hot weather, PepsiCo turned up the heat by promoting Pepsi Max, a low-calorie, sugar-free cola. As part of their “Max Your Summer” campaign, which reached out to Australian consumers aged 18 to 49, the beverage giant used dynamic advertising on Spotify, including audio spots focusing on events co-sponsored by Pepsi. The campaign, which ran during the Australian summer, November 2017 to February 2018, was meant to keep listeners up to speed on summer fun in their area, with ads tailored to day of the week and consumer location. The localized approach yielded tangible benefits for Pepsi. According to Power Digital Marketing, “Users who saw the campaign were 34% more likely to agree that ‘Pepsi Max is the #1 tasting no-sugar cola.’”
Hungry? Have a Snickers
In 2018, Spotify ads for the Snickers candy bar operated under a unique premise: that consumers who listen to music outside their typical tastes or comfort zones are in fact . . . hungrier. In creating its campaign, Snickers drew from Spotify data suggesting that a consumer who makes an unexpected switch to a different musical genre or artist is in a different mood, and that mood changes can correlate with hunger. The resulting ad, which targeted listeners who changed things up, featured faux musician “Aneta Snickers” rapping about how when you are hungry, “you’re not you.” The answer for the presumably hungry listener? A Snickers bar, natch.
Jose Cuervo Wants Your Favorite Playlist
In a Spotify campaign targeting United Kingdom college students, Spotify and Jose Cuervo tequila partnered with 50 student radio stations in the UK to collect playlists curated by students from 50 universities. The lists were subjected to a public vote; student consumers could vote for their uni playlist and the chance to win a concert. The campaign was a success for Jose Cuervo and Spotify: votes far exceeded campaign predictions. And it was a success for students at the winning University of Portsmouth, who enjoyed a concert headlined by Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) and Orlando Weeks (The Maccabees).
Chuze Fitness Reaches Out When You Work Out
Chuze Fitness has also made the most of the Spotify platform. The gym chain, which has been growing nationally, wanted to create brand awareness for their new locations. Of course, when people work out, they listen to music. So Chuze Fitness worked with Spotify to deliver their message. The resulting advertising campaign geo-targeted the city where the new Chuze Fitness gyms were located, even as it specifically targeted people listening to “fitness” playlists. The strategy proved profitable: according to Power Digital Marketing, Chuze Fitness “saw an uptick in their brand interest on Google through Google trends within the city [where] they were advertising.”
Why Spotify?
Companies who work with Spotify can benefit from the platform’s strong brand. They also can maximize their reach thanks to Spotify’s exceptional targeting tools, such as:
- Interest targeting, which helps brands understand consumers’ passions via their listening preferences, and subsequently connect with a specific audience in a meaningful—and effective—way.
- Real-time context targeting, which allows brands to target people based on their habits—and tendencies—at specific times of day. Someone waking up is typically in a different frame of mind than someone studying, or to use the Snickers example, someone who is hungry. Understanding the psychology of users at different times, and when might be the best time to share a branded message with that user, is a powerful tool.
Of course, Spotify isn’t the only game in town. The platform faces stiff competition from Apple Music, Amazon, and other streaming services. But in a crowded market for music streaming, Spotify still stands out.
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