Branded content isn’t just a trend. It’s one of the most effective ways for brands to connect with people by focusing on value rather than promotion. It blends storytelling with strategy. When done right, branded content doesn’t feel like marketing it feels like something worth paying attention to.
In this article, I’ll tell you 10 branded content examples with detailed case studies so you can understand exactly how these campaigns worked and what you can learn from them.
Let’s get straight into it.
What Is Branded Content?
Branded content is a type of content created by or for a brand that provides value through entertainment, inspiration, or education rather than just trying to sell a product or service. The goal is to build trust, spark emotion, and stay in people’s minds without being overly promotional.
It could be a short film, podcast, article, mini-series, or even a campaign on Instagram. The format doesn’t matter. What matters is the story and how it connects with the audience.
Now, let’s explore the real-world examples that made branded content memorable.
1. Coca-Cola – “Share a Coke“
What They Did:
Coca-Cola replaced its iconic logo on bottles with people’s first names.
Case Study:
This campaign started in Australia in 2011 and later expanded globally. Coca-Cola printed 150 to 1,000 popular names on bottles depending on the region. People went out of their way to find their names, share pictures online, and buy bottles for friends and family.
On social media, it triggered a huge wave of user-generated content. In the U.S. alone, Coca-Cola saw a 2 percent increase in sales after a decade of decline.
Why It Worked:
It made people feel seen and connected. The campaign didn’t promote the product’s features it promoted a personal experience. That emotional engagement turned it into a global sensation.
2. Dove – “Real Beauty Sketches“
What They Did:
Dove invited women to describe themselves to a forensic artist. Then, strangers described those same women. The artist created two sketches for each woman one based on self-perception and one based on how others saw them.
Case Study:
The video highlighted how self-critical women can be. The contrast between the two sketches became a powerful message about self-worth and beauty.
It went viral with over 70 million views in the first month and was shared across platforms worldwide.
Why It Worked:
It touched a universal truth self-image. Dove aligned itself with a deeper purpose around real beauty and self-esteem rather than just pushing a soap bar.
3. Red Bull – “Stratos Space Jump“
What They Did:
Red Bull sponsored Felix Baumgartner’s freefall jump from the edge of space 128,000 feet above Earth.
Case Study:
The event was live-streamed on YouTube and watched by over 9 million people setting a record at the time. It wasn’t about selling an energy drink. It was about pushing human limits, something Red Bull consistently aligns with.
This campaign generated billions of media impressions, making Red Bull not just a drink brand, but an icon of adrenaline and adventure.
Why It Worked:
It was a content-first event. It inspired, thrilled, and aligned perfectly with Red Bull’s core identity: giving you wings.
4. Lego – “The Lego Movie“
What They Did:
Lego made a full-length animated movie not an ad that promoted the brand through storytelling.
Case Study:
“The Lego Movie” wasn’t just a hit with kids. It grossed over $468 million worldwide and led to more movies and merchandise.
But what stood out was that the movie celebrated creativity and imagination the exact values Lego wants to promote.
Why It Worked:
This was a two-hour branded content masterclass. Instead of interrupting entertainment, Lego became the entertainment.
5. Netflix and Spotify – “Stranger Things Playlist Integration”
What They Did:
Spotify collaborated with Netflix to create Stranger Things-themed playlists. Each playlist matched a character’s music taste and could also generate a unique playlist for users based on their listening habits and which character they were most like.
Case Study:
This interactive campaign created a personalized user experience, tied in perfectly with the show’s narrative and characters, and leveraged both platforms’ strengths.
It boosted Spotify engagement during the Stranger Things release and enhanced Netflix’s promotional efforts with a non-intrusive, fun experience.
Why It Worked:
It felt personal. Fans got something engaging and unique. It also combined two major content platforms to enhance viewer experience, not just push the show.
6. Nike – “You Can’t Stop Us” Campaign
What They Did:
During the pandemic, Nike released a split-screen video showcasing athletes across different sports, genders, and races. The video highlighted how people around the world were still united through sports, even when apart.
Case Study:
The video was a cinematic masterpiece. It got over 50 million views in a few days, made headlines, and became one of Nike’s most celebrated campaigns in recent years.
It reinforced Nike’s brand message of unity, resilience, and equality.
Why It Worked:
It tapped into the emotional reality of the pandemic without making it about Nike. It focused on human spirit, not products.
7. Airbnb – “Stories From the Airbnb Community”
What They Did:
Airbnb created a video series sharing real stories from hosts and travelers — their backgrounds, emotions, and journeys.
Case Study:
These stories felt raw and genuine, showing that Airbnb was more than just a place to stay. The campaign helped build trust, especially in regions where people were skeptical about staying in strangers’ homes.
It also supported Airbnb’s IPO messaging — that it’s a community, not just a rental platform.
Why It Worked:
User-led storytelling is incredibly powerful. Airbnb didn’t have to say they were trustworthy. Their users said it for them.
8. Patagonia – “Worn Wear” Initiative
What They Did:
Patagonia encouraged customers to repair their gear instead of buying new. They even launched a used-clothing platform and content around stories of old gear that lasted for years.
Case Study:
This move was bold because it technically reduced new sales. But it boosted Patagonia’s credibility in the sustainability space.
Their branded content around “Worn Wear” showed interviews with hikers, surfers, and travelers explaining why they value used gear more than new.
Why It Worked:
The campaign aligned 100% with Patagonia’s mission: environmental responsibility. It built deep loyalty and became a model for ethical branding.
9. Apple – “Shot on iPhone“
What They Did:
Apple launched a global campaign showing photos and videos captured by everyday users on iPhones. They used billboards, social media, and online video ads.
Case Study:
This campaign didn’t feature specs or product demos. Instead, it focused on what users could create with the product.
It sparked a movement where users started uploading creative content using the hashtag #ShotoniPhone.
Why It Worked:
It gave power to the audience. Apple simply became the platform to showcase talent. It was about creativity, not features.
10. Google – “Year in Search“
What They Did:
Every year, Google releases a powerful video summarizing the year’s most searched topics, moments, and people.
Case Study:
The video combines emotional highs and lows from social movements to personal achievements and global crises. It reflects humanity’s collective thoughts and feelings.
Each edition of “Year in Search” gets millions of views and becomes part of year-end conversations.
Why It Worked:
It humanizes a tech brand. It reminds us that Google is not just a search engine it’s a window into our lives.
What You Can Learn From These Brands
Here are a few takeaways you can use, whether you’re a small business, creator, or marketer:
- Story first, product second — Focus on the message before the pitch.
- Align with values — Your content should reflect what you stand for.
- Use real people — Stories from users build more trust than any ad ever could.
- Think like a media company — Create content worth consuming, even without the product.
- Tap into emotion — Branded content that moves people is far more effective than one that just informs.
Want Help Creating Your Own Branded Content Strategy?
If you’re a startup, creator, or business looking to build a branded content strategy that actually connects with your audience without sounding like another sales pitch I’d love to help.
Contact me for branded content writing, strategy planning, and storytelling services that grow your brand the right way.
