Valentine’s Day is a time for love and romance, and over the years, brands have come up with creative campaigns to celebrate the occasion in unique and engaging ways. Here are some standout Valentine's Day campaigns that got people talking.
Divert: Name a Bin Lorry after Your Ex
Breakups can be messy, and Divert made sure people had a fun way to move on with their “Bin Your Ex” campaign. This initiative allowed people to name a bin lorry after their ex as a symbolic way of taking out the rubbish—literally! The lorries were driven around Yorkshire, giving those involved a satisfying sense of revenge.
To help the heartbroken start fresh, Divert also offered an ex-partner waste collection service, where they would collect items left behind by an ex, free of charge and no questions asked. As a Valentine’s Day special, participants were even treated to free prosecco and chocolates as part of their “relationship purge.”
KFC: Valentines Chicken Bouquets
In 2017, KFC New Zealand tapped into their fan's love for fried chicken by offering fried chicken bouquets instead of flowers. These limited-edition bouquets featured a mix of popcorn chicken, crispy strips, and original recipe drumsticks.
Fans could win these bouquets by entering a social media competition, tagging their loved ones as “the wind beneath their chicken wings.” and the bouquets were delivered to “KFC lovers” on Valentine's Day.
LEGO: Le Florist Campaign
LEGO has also embraced the Valentine's Day bouquet trend, partnering with social influencers and podcast hosts of ‘newlyweds’ Sophie and Jamie Laing. They transformed a LEGO store into a LEGO florist, showcasing their Botanical Collection just in time for Valentine’s Day.
The campaign's highlight was the LEGO Bouquet of Roses, featuring 12 intricately designed brick-built roses. The campaign appealed to both LEGO lovers and those looking for a long-lasting, creative gift alternative to traditional flowers.
Virgin Trains: #LoveOnTheRails
For Valentine’s Day, Virgin Trains created a unique dating experience for singles travelling from London King’s Cross to York. The campaign encouraged passengers to switch seats throughout the journey to meet potential matches.
To set the mood, the train was transformed into a romantic setting with dim lighting, music, drinks, and roses. The event was hosted by TV personality Fred Sirieix, who acted as an onboard matchmaker and conducted an “acts of service” masterclass.
McDonald’s: Pay with Lovin (2015)
The McDonald’s “Pay with Lovin’” campaign took a heartwarming approach by allowing customers to pay for their meals with acts of love. From February 2–14, 2015, selected customers were asked to perform small “lovin' acts,” such as giving a high-five to a stranger, calling a family member to say “I love you”, and sharing a hug with a loved one.
The campaign received widespread media attention, as it stood out by focusing on genuine human connection, by celebrating everyday acts of kindness.
Lana Del Ray “Hit by Cupid” for Skims
Skims took a playful approach to Valentine’s Day marketing with a campaign featuring Lana Del Rey. The singer was photographed in a series of themed, romantic visuals, including one where she was shot in the heart by Cupid and another where she posed inside a heart-shaped chocolate box.
The campaign, shot by Nadia Lee Cohen, blended 60’s glamour with modern fashion, making it a viral hit on social media.
Photo Credit: Photography Nadia Lee Cohen, Courtesy of Skims
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