Red Bull, taking social media by the horns.

I spoke on Monday about my love for Red Bull on Facebook and Twitter, so today I'm here to talk about how a video can change the whole perception of a brand.

YouTube

Remember those annoying hand drawn ads about how Red Bull 'Gives You Wings'? Even though this is a strong and memorable slogan encompassing all the drink stands for, the video content didn't do much for the cause.

But after a long time sponsoring extreme sports events, athletes, and focussing on taking the brand to it's limits, Red Bull can now make visually stunning and jaw dropping content that has around 2 million hits and is 1:01 minutes of awesome. Just take a watch




Implementing a long term strategy and benefiting from taking risks on these niche markets to create an image that Red Bull is a lifestyle not a drink is why I love Red Bull. It has totally re-invented itself and I think will be pushing itself even further over the next 12 months with more amazing content.

Instagram

Red Bull teamed up with We Are Social to bring a clever instagram campaign to trial a new flavoured energy drink. People would upload their photos using three filters red, silver or blue and would use the relevant hashtag #rededitionplease, #silvereditionplease or #blueditionplease and include @redbulluk. Just by giving away a free sample of the drink user's would create great visuals to help with the brand message, now these images are getting used on billboards throughout the UK

As well as creating a really memorable campaign that is at minimal cost to the business, they could also potentially launch a new flavoured drink in the process. This is a brand pushing the boundaries in social media and this the reason why I'm loving Red Bull.

Keeping the message simple
Choose one central message that ties the brands' online and offline efforts. Red Bull keeps its' messaging simple with its' 'Gives You Wings' tagline. Other brands should do the same – after all, consumers are bombarded with messages all day long. Keep yours top of the shop by making it simple and easy to remember and relate to.

Utilise the company’s strengths
A brand always play to its strengths by utilising resources or connections its company already has. Red Bull, for example, uses the recommendations of its athletes to choose the videos it posts. This insider’s perspective is definitely not lost on fans.

Give audience what they want
Always keep an eye on what is resonating with your target market and use that information to your advantage. Every engagement tactic deserves some play time, but focus resources on the ones that really resonates with your audience.

'Til the next time, James x