In a world that is weary of ad gimmicks, Instagram has provided brands with a creative new medium through which they can reach as many as 50 million users (turned amateur photographers) in an artistic and engaging way.
After Facebook's $1 billion acquisition of the startup in April, at this point if you haven't heard of Instagram you probably still use dial-up, have a flip-phone the size of a chinchilla, and aren't reading this site; but for the uninitiated: Instagram is a photo sharing site that allows users to share snapshots of their lives through artistic sepia filters.
Many brands have taken advantage of the opportunity to give consumers an intimate look at what their products have to offer.
Brands have flown highly influential Instagram users (with 100k-plus followers) to Abu Dhabi to shoot sailing races, given consumers behind-the-scenes looks at fashion shows or sporting events, organized "Insta-walks" ... Playboy has even shown a surprising, nostalgic side of the magazine by sharing vintage pics of their models wearing clothes.
Business Insider Advertising has compiled a list of the brands who are doing this in really cool and surprising ways that make people want to share.
Trendy glasses company Warby Parker has hosted "Insta-Walks" in NYC. Fans were invited to chronicle a walk from the company's headquarters in Soho to the rooftop of the Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District on Instagram. This resulted in awesome photo promotions and happy fans, drunk off of Warby Parker-themed drinks.
8,602 followers
Red Bull
The energy drink maker Instagrams with gusto. Red Bull posts a "daily awesome" photo, celebrates "Flying Fridays," and has other traditions to keep its high octane-loving fans engaged. A spokesperson told Mashable that Red Bull does more than just force its own content onto its followers. Red Bull often "Likes" other users' photos "that illustrate people's ideas of getting wings."
Playboy
Well, people can't say that they go to Playboy's Instagram feed for the articles.
Having to steer clear of NSFW photos, Playboy features images of clothed models and evokes a sense of nostalgia.
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