02 Apr 35 TOP MARKETING CASE STUDIES
In the dynamic world of marketing, success often hinges on innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking. While theories and concepts provide a foundation, it’s the real-world applications and success stories that truly inspire and inform marketers around the globe. Marketing case studies offer invaluable insights into the strategies, tactics, and campaigns that have propelled brands to new heights, showcasing the power of creativity, data-driven decision-making, and consumer-centric approaches.
From iconic brand revitalizations to groundbreaking digital campaigns, marketing case studies provide a window into the minds of industry leaders and innovators. These stories not only celebrate achievements but also offer valuable lessons and inspiration for marketers seeking to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of consumer behavior, technology, and competition.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into 35 top marketing case studies from various industries and sectors. Each case study highlights the exceptional strategies, tactics, and executions that set them apart and contributed to their success. From timeless classics to modern-day triumphs, these case studies offer a roadmap for marketers looking to make their mark and drive results in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Join us as we explore the stories behind some of the most iconic and influential marketing case studies of all time. From Coca-Cola’s innovative storytelling to Airbnb’s disruptive brand building, these case studies exemplify the ingenuity, adaptability, and creativity that define exceptional marketing in the 21st century.
Get ready to be inspired, informed, and empowered as we uncover the secrets behind the success of these 35 top marketing case studies. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer seeking fresh ideas or a budding enthusiast eager to learn, this journey promises to be enlightening and enriching. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of marketing excellence and discover what makes these case studies truly exceptional.
35 Top Marketing Case Studies and What Makes Them Exceptional
1. BEN & JERRY’S “PINT SLICE SOCIAL” MARKETING CASE STUDY
2. BLENDECT’S “WILL IT BLEND?” MARKETING CASE STUDY
3. RED BULL’s STRATOS JUMP MARKETING CASE STUDY
4. BUDWEISER’S “WHASSUP?” MARKETING CASE STUDY
5. OLD SPICE’S “THE MAN YOUR MAN COULD SMELL LIKE” MARKETING CASE STUDY
6. PEPSI: “IS PEPSI OK?” MARKETING CASE STUDY
7. APPLE’S “THINK DIFFERENT” MARKETING CASE STUDY
8. COCA COLA’S “SHARE A COKE” MARKETING CASE STUDY
9. NIKE’S “JUST DO IT” MARKETING CASE STUDY
10. APPLE’S “1984” MARKETING CASE STUDY
11. AXE’S “FIND YOUR MAGIC” MARKETING CASE STUDY
12. BURGER KING’S “RECLAIM THE FLAME” MARKETING CASE STUDY
13. GUINNESS’S “SURFER” MARKETING CASE STUDY
14. MCDONALD’S “I’M LOVIN’ IT” MARKETING CASE STUDY
15. AIRBNB’S “LIVE THERE” MARKETING CASE STUDY
16. LAY’S “DO US A FLAVOR” MARKETING CASE STUDY
17. AMAZON’S “AMAZON PRIME” MARKETING CASE STUDY
18. GOPRO’S “BE A HERO” MARKETING CASE STUDY
19. VOLVO TRUCKS’ “THE EPIC SPLIT” MARKETING CASE STUDY
20. DOVE’S “REAL BEAUTY SKETCHES” MARKETING CASE STUDY
21. SPOTIFY’S “WRAPPED” MARKETING CASE STUDY
22. ICELAND’S GROCERIES MARKETING CASE STUDY
23. HEALTH-ADE’S MARKETING CASE STUDY
24. ALWAYS’ “LIKE A GIRL” MARKETING CASE STUDY
25. COCA-COLA’S “SMALL WORLD MACHINES” MARKETING CASE STUDY
26. BURGER KING’S “WHOPPER DETOUR” MARKETING CASE STUDY
27. AMAZON’S PRIME DAY MARKETING CASE STUDY
28. MCDONALD’S “OUR FOOD, YOUR QUESTIONS” MARKETING CASE STUDY
29. AIRBNB’S “EXPERIENCES” LAUNCH MARKETING CASE STUDY
30. PIZZA HUT’S “HUT REWARDS” LOYALTY PROGRAM MARKETING CASE STUDY
31. BMW’S “THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE” MARKETING CASE STUDY
32. THE MOST INTEREST MAN IN THE WORLD MARKETING CASE STUDY
33. APPLE’S “GET A MAC” MARKETING CASE STUDY
34. PROCTER AND GAMBLE’S “THANK YOU, MOM” MARKETING CASE STUDY
35. METRO TRAINS “DUMB WAYS TO DIE” MARKETING CASE STUDY
What is a Marketing Case Study?
A marketing case study is a detailed examination of a specific marketing strategy, campaign, or initiative that showcases its implementation, outcomes, and impact on business objectives. It typically includes a comprehensive analysis of the target audience, market conditions, competitive landscape, marketing tactics used, and the results achieved.
In a marketing case study, key components often include the background information to set the context, such as the company’s industry, size, and goals; the challenges or opportunities that led to the marketing initiative; the strategy or approach employed, including the marketing channels, messaging, and creative elements; the execution and implementation phase; and the measurable outcomes, such as increased sales, brand awareness, customer engagement, or other relevant metrics. Additionally, a well-crafted marketing case study may also highlight lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for future marketing efforts based on the experience and results of the case study.
What Does a Marketing Case Study Consist of?
A marketing case study typically consists of several key elements that provide a comprehensive view of a marketing initiative’s success or failure.
Firstly, it includes a detailed description of the company or brand involved, including its industry, target market, and business objectives. This sets the context for the marketing campaign or strategy being studied.
Secondly, the case study outlines the specific marketing challenge or opportunity that prompted the initiative. This could be anything from entering a new market segment to revamping an existing product’s branding. Understanding the initial problem or goal helps readers grasp the significance of the marketing efforts undertaken.
Thirdly, the case study delves into the strategy and tactics employed to address the challenge or opportunity. This includes details such as the chosen marketing channels (e.g., digital, traditional, social media), messaging, creative assets, budget allocation, and timeline. The rationale behind these decisions and how they align with the company’s overall marketing strategy are typically discussed.
Additionally, a marketing case study often includes measurable outcomes and results. This can encompass various metrics such as increased sales, brand awareness, customer engagement, return on investment (ROI), and market share growth. Data-driven insights and analysis are crucial here, as they demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of the marketing efforts on achieving the stated objectives.
Lastly, a well-rounded marketing case study may also include lessons learned, challenges faced, and recommendations for future strategies based on the experiences and insights gained from the case study. This adds depth and practical value to the document, making it not just a retrospective analysis but also a learning tool for marketers and businesses looking to optimize their marketing efforts.
35 Top Marketing Case Studies
1. ben & jerry’s “pint slice social” campaign.
Ben & Jerry’s, a beloved ice cream brand known for its quirky flavors and social activism, aimed to engage its audience and drive sales of its new product, the Pint Slice, through a creative and interactive marketing campaign.
Ben & Jerry’s launched the “Pint Slice Social” campaign marketing case study, which combined social media engagement with real-world activations to generate excitement and buzz around its new product. The campaign aimed to leverage user-generated content and encourage consumers to share their experiences with the Pint Slice on social media platforms.
The “Pint Slice Social” campaign featured a series of experiential events held in various cities, where consumers could sample the new product and participate in fun activities like photo booths and ice cream-themed games. Ben & Jerry’s also encouraged consumers to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #PintSliceSocial for a chance to win prizes and be featured on the brand’s official channels.
The marketing case study interactive and experiential elements helped Ben & Jerry’s connect with its audience on a deeper level, fostering brand loyalty and driving repeat purchases. The numbers speak for themselves:
- 100% sample redemption
- 220% increase in customer traction when compared to existing campaigns
- 68% conversion rate
What Makes it Exceptional:
Ben & Jerry’s “Pint Slice Social” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its combination of real-world activations and social media engagement, which effectively bridged the gap between online and offline experiences. By creating opportunities for consumers to interact with the brand in person and share their experiences online, Ben & Jerry’s successfully amplified its message and generated excitement around its new product.
The PR campaign’s focus on user-generated content and community participation reinforced Ben & Jerry’s brand values of fun, inclusivity, and social activism, making it a standout example of effective marketing in the ice cream industry.
2. Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” Campaign
Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” campaign marketing case study emerged as a groundbreaking marketing phenomenon, showcasing the extraordinary power and durability of Blendtec blenders through a series of captivating videos. The campaign’s premise was simple yet ingenious: Blendtec founder Tom Dickson demonstrated the blender’s capabilities by blending unconventional items, ranging from iPhones to golf balls, in a series of entertaining videos.
The campaign’s impact was nothing short of extraordinary. Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” videos quickly captured the attention of online audiences, garnering millions of views on platforms like YouTube. In fact, the videos became a viral sensation, catapulting Blendtec to internet stardom and earning them the accolade of the 33rd most-viewed series ever on YouTube.
But the success of the campaign wasn’t just limited to online views. The “Will It Blend?” videos had a tangible impact on Blendtec’s bottom line. Sales of the company’s high-end consumer blenders skyrocketed, with figures soaring by an astonishing 500% in 2008 alone. The campaign’s blend of humor, creativity, and product demonstration resonated with consumers, driving both brand awareness and sales.
Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” marketing case study stands out as a shining example of effective content marketing and brand storytelling. By showcasing the blender’s capabilities in a fun and unconventional way, Blendtec created engaging content that captured the attention of consumers and earned widespread recognition.
Blendtec’s initial “Will It Blend?” videos soared to become the 33rd most-watched series in YouTube history, contributing to a remarkable surge in sales of the company’s $399 premium home blender, with figures skyrocketing by 500% in 2008.
Moreover, the campaign demonstrated the power of viral marketing and user-generated content. The “Will It Blend?” videos sparked conversations and sharing across social media platforms, amplifying Blendtec’s reach and attracting new customers to the brand.
3. Red Bull’s Stratos Jump Campaign
Red Bull’s Stratos Jump campaign marked a pivotal moment in extreme sports history, as Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner embarked on a death-defying mission to jump from the edge of space. The audacious stunt not only captivated the world but also propelled Red Bull into the stratosphere of brand recognition and solidified its reputation as a trailblazer in the realm of daring and innovation.
The campaign’s concept was as ambitious as it was awe-inspiring: Felix Baumgartner ascended to the edge of space in a helium balloon before free-falling back to Earth, breaking the sound barrier in the process. The entire event was meticulously planned and executed, with Red Bull leveraging cutting-edge technology and expert precision to ensure Baumgartner’s safety and success.
But the Stratos Jump campaign was more than just a publicity stunt; it was a masterful demonstration of brand storytelling and experiential marketing. By pushing the boundaries of human achievement and showcasing the spirit of adventure, Red Bull tapped into universal themes of courage, determination, and human potential, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
With an estimated total cost exceeding $30 million, the investment was worth it. Felix’s jump led to $500+ million in sales.
Red Bull’s Stratos Jump campaign stands out as a shining example of experiential marketing and brand storytelling at its finest. By orchestrating a monumental feat of human achievement and capturing it live for the world to see, Red Bull created an unforgettable moment that resonated with audiences on a visceral level.
4. B udweiser’s “Whassup?” Campaign
Budweiser’s iconic “Whassup?” campaign emerged as a cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s, capturing the essence of friendship, camaraderie, and everyday moments shared over a cold beer. The campaign, which featured a group of friends casually greeting each other with the now-famous phrase “Whassup?”, struck a chord with audiences worldwide and catapulted Budweiser to the forefront of pop culture.
At its core, the “Whassup?” campaign was a celebration of the simple joys of friendship and connection. The ads depicted relatable scenarios of friends catching up over the phone, at work, or while watching sports, punctuated by the exuberant and infectious “Whassup?” greeting. The campaign’s humor and authenticity resonated with viewers, making it an instant hit and spawning countless parodies and cultural references.
But what truly set the “Whassup?” campaign apart was its ability to transcend traditional advertising and become a cultural touchstone. The phrase “Whassup?” became a ubiquitous part of popular lexicon, with people of all ages and backgrounds adopting it as a playful greeting. From late-night talk shows to Hollywood movies, the campaign’s influence extended far beyond the realm of advertising, cementing Budweiser’s place in the zeitgeist.
The impact of the “Whassup?” campaign marketing case study on Budweiser’s brand cannot be overstated.
Budweiser unveiled the campaign in 1999, effectively ushering in what could be termed as the “Whassup Generation.” As a result, their sales surged by 2.4 million barrels, and it was approximated that “Whassup” garnered $20 million worth of complimentary publicity , gauged by the frequency of the phrase’s appearance in television news segments and print media articles.
Budweiser’s “Whassup?” campaign is exceptional for its ability to capture the spirit of a generation and become a cultural phenomenon. By embracing humor, authenticity, and the power of shared experiences, Budweiser created an advertising campaign that resonated with audiences on a deeply personal level.
5. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” Campaign
Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign revolutionized the world of men’s grooming products, captivating audiences with its humor, charm, and over-the-top masculinity. Launched in 2010, the campaign featured actor Isaiah Mustafa as the suave and confident “Old Spice Guy,” who effortlessly showcased the brand’s range of body washes and deodorants in a series of witty and memorable commercials.
At its core, the “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign was a masterclass in comedic storytelling and brand positioning. The ads humorously depicted Mustafa as the epitome of masculinity, effortlessly transitioning from one absurd scenario to the next while delivering clever and memorable lines. The campaign’s irreverent humor and tongue-in-cheek approach to advertising resonated with audiences of all ages, making it a viral sensation and earning it a permanent place in pop culture.
But the success of the “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign marketing case study extended beyond just laughs and entertainment. The campaign effectively repositioned Old Spice as a modern and relevant brand, shedding its outdated image and appealing to a new generation of consumers. By embracing humor and creativity, Old Spice differentiated itself from competitors and carved out a unique identity in the crowded men’s grooming market.
The objective was to boost body wash sales by 15%, but by May 2010, sales of Old Spice Red Zone Body Wash had surged by 60% compared to the previous year. By July 2010, sales had doubled.
Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign stands out as a prime example of how humor and creativity can elevate a brand and resonate with consumers. By embracing absurdity and pushing the boundaries of traditional advertising, Old Spice created a campaign that captured the attention and imagination of audiences worldwide.
6. Pepsi: The “Is Pepsi OK?” Campaign
Pepsi’s “Is Pepsi OK?” campaign aimed to address the common question posed by consumers when offered a Pepsi instead of its rival, Coca-Cola. The campaign sought to reframe this question as a playful affirmation of Pepsi’s unique flavor and appeal.
The campaign featured a series of commercials and digital content showcasing celebrities and ordinary people confidently affirming that Pepsi is more than just “OK” – it’s delicious, refreshing, and the perfect choice for any occasion. The ads humorously acknowledged the perception that Pepsi may not always be the first choice but emphasized its undeniable taste and quality.
The impact of the “Is Pepsi OK?” campaign marketing case study on Pepsi’s brand image and sales was significant. The campaign helped shift consumer perceptions and generate buzz around the brand, driving increased sales and market share for Pepsi. By embracing humor and authenticity, Pepsi effectively engaged with its audience and reinforced its position as a leading beverage choice in the market.
Pepsi recorded a 4% sales increase in the weeks following the campaign, showcasing the efficacy of their marketing endeavors in converting brand perception into tangible outcomes in the market.
Pepsi’s “Is Pepsi OK?” campaign stands out for its clever approach to addressing a common consumer concern. By acknowledging the question head-on and turning it into a positive affirmation of the brand, Pepsi effectively repositioned itself as a confident and desirable choice for consumers.
Moreover, the campaign’s use of humor and relatable situations resonated with audiences, making it memorable and shareable. By creating content that people wanted to engage with and share with others, Pepsi was able to extend the reach and impact of the campaign beyond traditional advertising channels.
7. Apple’s “Think Different” Campaign
Apple, a pioneering technology company, aimed to differentiate itself in the competitive tech market and establish its brand identity as innovative and forward-thinking.
Apple’s strategy with the “Think Different” campaign was to celebrate creativity, individuality, and innovation. The campaign aimed to position Apple as a brand that valued unconventional thinking and challenged the status quo.
The “Think Different” campaign featured television commercials, print advertisements, and digital content that celebrated iconic figures who embodied the spirit of creativity and innovation, such as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi.
The “Think Different” campaign marketing case study helped redefine Apple’s brand identity and establish its reputation as a leader in innovation and design. The campaign resonated with consumers who valued creativity and originality, driving increased brand loyalty and preference for Apple products. Apple saw significant growth in sales and market share, solidifying its position as a top choice for consumers seeking cutting-edge technology and design.
iPods made up 21.6 percent of the global digital music player market in 2003, and sales accounted for nearly half of Apple’s $7.1 billion in first-quarter revenue in 2007. By 2010, Apple had sold over 297 million iPods and had a 70% market share, reconstructing the digital music player industry in the process.
Apple’s “Think Different” campaign is exceptional for its bold celebration of creativity and innovation. By honoring iconic figures who dared to think differently and make a difference, the campaign inspired consumers to see Apple as more than just a technology company but as a symbol of creativity, empowerment, and progress. The campaign’s powerful message and iconic imagery helped Apple establish a strong emotional connection with consumers, driving loyalty and affinity for the brand.
8. Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” Campaign
Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign revolutionized the beverage industry by personalizing its iconic soda bottles with popular names and phrases. The campaign aimed to create a deeper emotional connection with consumers and encourage them to share Coca-Cola with friends and family.
By featuring names like “John,” “Sarah,” and “Emily” on Coke bottles, Coca-Cola transformed the act of drinking soda into a personalized experience. Consumers were excited to find their own names or the names of loved ones on Coke bottles, making the product feel uniquely theirs and fostering a sense of belonging.
The “Share a Coke” campaign was launched through various channels, including television commercials, print advertisements, and digital content. Coca-Cola also encouraged consumers to share photos of themselves with personalized Coke bottles on social media using the hashtag #ShareACoke, sparking a wave of user-generated content and online conversations.
Coca-Cola saw increased sales as consumers sought out personalized Coke bottles, and the #ShareACoke hashtag trended on social media platforms, generating millions of impressions and interactions.
Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its innovative approach to marketing and its ability to create a personal connection with consumers on a mass scale. By leveraging the power of personalization and social sharing, Coca-Cola transformed its product into a platform for self-expression and social connection.
The campaign also demonstrated Coca-Cola’s willingness to embrace new trends and technologies to engage with consumers. By integrating social media into its marketing strategy, Coca-Cola encouraged consumers to become active participants in the campaign, driving organic growth and word-of-mouth promotion.
This campaign drove dramatic increases in sales:
Volume (+11% versus previous year) Revenue (+11% versus previous year) Share (+1.6% versus previous year) Velocity (+10% versus previous year)
9. Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign
Nike, a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, aimed to reinvigorate its brand image and inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue their goals with passion and determination.
Nike’s strategy with the “Just Do It” campaign was to celebrate the spirit of determination, resilience, and perseverance embodied by athletes around the world. The campaign aimed to position Nike as a champion of athletic excellence and a catalyst for personal empowerment and achievement.
The “Just Do It” campaign was launched with a series of television commercials, print advertisements, and digital content featuring athletes from various sports and backgrounds overcoming obstacles and pushing their limits. The campaign emphasized the idea of taking action and embracing challenges with courage and determination, resonating with individuals seeking motivation and inspiration to pursue their dreams.
The “Just Do It” campaign became an iconic symbol of Nike’s brand ethos and a rallying cry for athletes and individuals striving for greatness. The campaign’s message of empowerment and perseverance resonated with consumers worldwide, driving increased brand awareness, loyalty, and sales for Nike. The “Just Do It” slogan became synonymous with Nike’s commitment to excellence and innovation, solidifying the brand’s position as a leader in the athletic industry.
Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its ability to tap into the universal human desire for achievement, empowerment, and self-expression. By celebrating the spirit of determination and resilience, the campaign inspired individuals to push their limits and pursue their goals fearlessly. The “Just Do It” slogan transcended marketing to become a cultural phenomenon, embodying Nike’s brand ethos and influencing popular culture for decades. Nike’s commitment to empowering athletes and individuals to reach their full potential has made the “Just Do It” campaign one of the most iconic and enduring advertising campaigns of all time.
This marketing initiative proved to be a pivotal moment for Nike, catapulting the company’s sales from $877 million to an impressive $9.2 billion. The campaign’s resounding success solidified Nike’s position as the premier brand in the global sportswear industry.
10. Apple’s “1984” Commercial
In 1984, Apple aimed to launch its revolutionary Macintosh computer with a groundbreaking advertisement that would challenge the status quo of the tech industry and establish Apple as a visionary brand.
Apple’s strategy with the “1984” commercial was to create a cinematic and thought-provoking advertisement that would generate buzz and intrigue surrounding the launch of the Macintosh.
The commercial aimed to position Apple as a company that defied convention and empowered individuals to think differently.
Directed by Ridley Scott, the “1984” commercial aired during the Super Bowl XVIII and depicted a dystopian future where conformity and uniformity were enforced by a Big Brother-like figure. A rebellious heroine, representing the spirit of individuality, hurled a sledgehammer at a giant screen, symbolizing the liberation brought by the Macintosh computer. The commercial concluded with the tagline, “On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984’.”
The “1984” commercial generated significant buzz and became an instant cultural phenomenon. It captured the imagination of viewers and sparked conversations about the future of technology and the power of individual expression. The commercial effectively positioned Apple as an innovative and disruptive force in the tech industry, setting the stage for the successful launch of the Macintosh computer.
Fortunately, the advertisement proved to be a success, as it garnered attention from all the nearby cinemas and television stations. Within a span of 100 days, Apple managed to sell 72,000 computers.
Apple’s “1984” commercial marketing case study is exceptional for its boldness, creativity, and impact. By challenging the conventions of traditional advertising and delivering a powerful message of individual empowerment, the commercial captured the attention of audiences worldwide and solidified Apple’s reputation as a visionary brand.
The commercial’s cinematic quality, provocative imagery, and memorable tagline made it one of the most iconic and influential advertisements of all time, demonstrating Apple’s ability to harness the power of storytelling to connect with consumers on a deeper level.
11. Axe’s “Find Your Magic” Campaign
Axe, a leading men’s grooming brand, sought to evolve its brand image and messaging to resonate with modern consumers and challenge traditional notions of masculinity.
Axe’s strategy with the “Find Your Magic” campaign was to celebrate individuality, self-expression, and confidence, encouraging men to embrace their unique qualities and reject societal pressures to conform to traditional stereotypes of masculinity. The campaign ai
med to position Axe as a brand that empowers men to express themselves authentically and confidently.
The “Find Your Magic” campaign featured a series of advertisements and digital content showcasing a diverse range of men pursuing their passions, expressing their personalities, and defying stereotypes. The campaign celebrated moments of self-discovery, self-expression, and confidence, highlighting the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of masculinity.
The campaign helped reposition Axe as a brand that celebrates diversity and empowers men to be true to themselves, driving brand loyalty and attracting new customers.
The team pointed to the 12% organic reach of the campaign as being crucial to its success.
The campaign accumulated over 39.3 million digital views and garnered four billion media impressions within the initial quarter of its launch. However, its most noteworthy impact was the initiation of a global discourse on masculinity, evident through 225,411 direct engagements with the film and over 12,000 comments across various platforms.
Coupled with a significant increase in overall positive sentiment towards Axe from 14.74% to 41.35%. Since its inception, consumers have undergone substantial reevaluation of the brand, as reflected in YouGov studies indicating a rise in purchase consideration among men in the US from 16% to 20%.
Axe’s “Find Your Magic” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its bold reimagining of masculinity and its commitment to celebrating diversity and individuality. By challenging traditional stereotypes and promoting a message of inclusivity and self-confidence, Axe distinguished itself from competitors in the men’s grooming market. The campaign’s positive message resonated with consumers and helped strengthen Axe’s brand identity, positioning the brand as a champion of authenticity and self-expression.
12. Burger King’s “Reclaim the Flame” Campaign
Burger King’s “Reclaim the Flame” campaign ignited a fiery spirit of rebellion against its fast-food rival, McDonald’s. Launched as a bold marketing maneuver during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the campaign sought to reclaim the iconic flame-grilled taste that set Burger King apart from its competitors.
The campaign centered around a series of provocative advertisements that directly challenged McDonald’s by emphasizing Burger King’s commitment to flame-grilling its burgers for superior taste and quality. Through witty slogans and visually striking imagery, Burger King positioned itself as the champion of authentic, flame-grilled flavor in the fast-food industry.
The impact of the “Reclaim the Flame” campaign was palpable, as it sparked a renewed interest in Burger King’s flame-grilled offerings and reignited consumer loyalty. The campaign’s bold messaging and innovative promotions resonated with audiences, driving increased foot traffic to Burger King restaurants and boosting sales of its signature flame-grilled burgers.
Consolidated comparable sales increased 10%, with system-wide sales up 15% year-over-year, and net restaurant growth was 4.2%.
The Burger King international business grew system-wide sales by 19%, adding more than $400 million of incremental sales year-over-year.
Burger King’s “Reclaim the Flame” campaign marketing case study stands out for its audacious approach to marketing and its unapologetic challenge to its biggest competitor. By leveraging bold messaging and provocative promotions, Burger King effectively positioned itself as the antithesis to McDonald’s, appealing to consumers who sought a more authentic and flavorful fast-food experience.
13. Guinness’s “Surfer” Advertisement
Guinness, an iconic Irish stout beer brand, aimed to reinvigorate its image and appeal to a younger demographic while staying true to its heritage and values.
Guinness launched the “Surfer” advertisement, a visually stunning and emotionally resonant commercial that showcased the brand’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and authenticity. The advertisement aimed to evoke a sense of awe and admiration while also conveying the message that Guinness is more than just a beer—it’s a symbol of strength, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
The “Surfer” advertisement featured breathtaking footage of waves crashing against a rocky coastline, interspersed with scenes of a lone surfer navigating the tumultuous waters with skill and determination. As the surfer reaches the shore and takes a sip of Guinness, the tagline “Good things come to those who wait” appears on the screen, reinforcing the brand’s message of patience, perseverance, and reward.
The commercial helped rejuvenate Guinness’s brand image and appeal to a younger audience while also resonating with existing fans of the brand. The advertisement’s message of patience and perseverance struck a chord with viewers, reinforcing Guinness’s reputation as a beer worth waiting for.
The ad led to a 12% uplift in Guinness’s sales. It was a commercial success, beating all its internal targets, helped by the launch of a new product at the same time – Guinness Extra Cold.
Guinness’s “Surfer” advertisement is exceptional for its ability to capture the essence of the brand’s heritage and values while also appealing to contemporary sensibilities. By celebrating the beauty of nature, the power of human determination, and the rewards of patience, the advertisement transcended traditional beer commercials and created a powerful emotional connection with viewers. The “Surfer” advertisement exemplifies Guinness’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and authenticity, reaffirming its status as one of the world’s most iconic beer brands.
14. McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” Campaign
McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign epitomizes the fast-food giant’s ability to connect with consumers on a global scale through catchy slogans and memorable advertising. Launched in 2003, this campaign marked a significant shift in McDonald’s marketing strategy, aiming to evoke positive emotions and create a sense of love and affinity for the brand among customers worldwide.
At the heart of the “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign was a series of television commercials featuring upbeat music, vibrant visuals, and relatable scenarios showcasing people of all ages enjoying McDonald’s menu items. The catchy jingle, composed by music producer Pharrell Williams, became instantly recognizable and synonymous with the McDonald’s brand, further solidifying its place in popular culture.
The impact of the “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign on McDonald’s brand perception and sales was profound. The campaign helped rejuvenate McDonald’s image, positioning it as a modern and relevant brand that resonated with consumers of all ages. By emphasizing the emotional connection between customers and the brand, McDonald’s fostered loyalty and affinity among its customer base, driving increased foot traffic and sales at its restaurants worldwide.
Thanks to the advertising initiative, McDonald’s achieved its most robust quarterly sales growth in nearly two decades, witnessing a remarkable 8.2% surge in global sales during the first quarter of 2004. The “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign played a pivotal role in driving this growth. Additionally, the company experienced a notable 9% increase in sales within the United States during the corresponding period.
McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign marketing case study stands out for its ability to create a universal and enduring brand message that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. By tapping into the universal human desire for happiness and satisfaction, McDonald’s crafted a campaign that resonated with consumers around the world, regardless of age, background, or location.
15. Airbnb’s “Live There” Campaign
In 2016, Airbnb aimed to differentiate itself in the travel industry and emphasize its unique offering of local experiences.
Airbnb launched the “Live There” campaign, focusing on the idea that staying in an Airbnb property allows travelers to experience destinations like a local.
The campaign featured ads showcasing authentic local experiences, such as dining with locals or exploring hidden gems. It aimed to evoke a sense of belonging and immersion in the destination. The campaign resonated with travelers seeking authentic and immersive travel experiences, contributing to Airbnb’s continued growth and market leadership.
The campaign’s effect on return on investment (ROI) was notable. The “Live There” initiative enabled Airbnb to attain a 51% surge in bookings and an impressive 127% rise in revenue. Through adept utilization of digital marketing channels and prioritizing genuine travel experiences, Airbnb effectively engaged their intended demographic, resulting in substantial business outcomes.
Airbnb’s “Live There” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its focus on authentic and immersive travel experiences. By highlighting the unique aspects of staying in an Airbnb property, the campaign differentiated Airbnb from traditional accommodations and appealed to travelers seeking more meaningful connections with destinations and communities.
16. Lay’s “Do Us a Flavor” Campaign
Lay’s, a popular snack brand, aimed to engage consumers and drive sales by crowdsourcing new and innovative flavor ideas through its “Do Us a Flavor” campaign.
Lay’s strategy with the “Do Us a Flavor” campaign was to tap into consumer creativity and generate excitement around its brand by inviting consumers to submit their own flavor ideas. The campaign aimed to leverage user-generated content and community participation to create a sense of ownership and anticipation among consumers.
The “Do Us a Flavor” campaign encouraged consumers to submit their flavor ideas online, with the chance to win cash prizes and see their creations turned into actual Lay’s potato chip flavors. Lay’s promoted the campaign through social media, advertising, and in-store promotions, encouraging consumers to participate and vote for their favorite submissions.
The competition began in July 2012 with the unveiling of a temporary store situated in the heart of Times Square, offering visitors the opportunity to sample all 22 Lay’s flavors available in the U.S., explore flavors from around the globe, engage with celebrity spokespeople Eva Longoria and chef Michael Symon, and even catch a glimpse of what $1 million in cash looked like.
Initially aiming to amass 1.2 million flavor submissions, Lay’s surpassed expectations by receiving an astounding 3.8 million entries. Throughout the nearly 10-month campaign duration, its Facebook page witnessed an average of over 22.5 million visits each week. Moreover, sales experienced a remarkable surge of 12% year-on-year during the campaign, far surpassing the initially projected three percent increase.
Lay’s “Do Us a Flavor” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its innovative approach to product development and its ability to engage consumers in a fun and interactive way. By crowdsourcing flavor ideas from consumers, Lay’s not only generated excitement and buzz around its brand but also created a sense of community and collaboration among its customers.
The campaign’s success demonstrated Lay’s commitment to listening to its consumers and delivering products that resonate with their preferences and tastes.
17. Amazon’s “Amazon Prime” Campaign
Amazon’s “Amazon Prime” campaign revolutionized the e-commerce industry by introducing a subscription service that offered unparalleled convenience, savings, and benefits to customers. The campaign aimed to promote Amazon Prime as more than just a shipping service, but as a comprehensive membership program that encompasses a wide range of perks and services.
At the core of the “Amazon Prime” campaign is the promise of fast, free shipping on millions of items, allowing members to enjoy expedited delivery on their purchases with no minimum order requirement. Additionally, Prime members gain access to a plethora of exclusive benefits, including streaming of movies, TV shows, and music through Prime Video and Prime Music, unlimited photo storage with Prime Photos, and early access to Lightning Deals on Amazon’s platform.
Amazon Prime has quite recently introduced ads into their campaign. The company’s analysts estimate that revenue generated from Prime Video advertisements will reach $1.3 billion in 2024, with projections indicating a rise to $2.3 billion the following year. However, that’s just the beginning: According to the analysts’ forecasts, the e-commerce giant could potentially accrue an additional $500 million annually in 2024 and 2025 from Prime members who opt to bypass ad viewing.
Amazon’s “Amazon Prime” campaign marketing case study stands out for its ability to redefine the e-commerce landscape and create a loyal and engaged customer base. By bundling a wide range of benefits into a single membership program, Amazon has transformed the way people shop online, making Prime membership synonymous with convenience, value, and innovation.
18. GoPro’s “Be a Hero” Campaign
GoPro’s “Be a Hero” campaign embodies the adventurous spirit and passion for storytelling that defines the brand’s identity. The campaign encourages users to capture and share their most epic moments using GoPro cameras, empowering them to become heroes of their own stories.
At the core of the “Be a Hero” campaign is GoPro’s belief that everyone has the potential to live a life worth recording.
The campaign leverages social media platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, to showcase the incredible footage captured by GoPro users in various extreme sports, outdoor adventures, and everyday moments. By highlighting the versatility and durability of its cameras, GoPro positions itself as the ultimate tool for capturing life’s most exhilarating experiences.
The impact of the “Be a Hero” campaign on GoPro’s brand perception and sales has been significant. By encouraging users to become content creators and ambassadors for the brand, GoPro has cultivated a loyal fan base and differentiated itself from competitors in the action camera market. The campaign has also helped GoPro maintain its position as a leader in the industry and drive continued growth and innovation.
This campaign was a huge success nearly doubling its revenue throughout the following years; from $234.2 million in 2011 to $526 million in 2012 and $985.7 million in 2013.
GoPro’s “Be a Hero” campaign marketing case study stands out for its ability to tap into the aspirational desires of its target audience and inspire them to live life to the fullest. By empowering users to capture and share their most epic moments, GoPro has created a powerful brand narrative that resonates with adventurers, athletes, and storytellers around the world.
19. Volvo Trucks’ “The Epic Split” Campaign
Volvo Trucks’ “The Epic Split” campaign featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the most iconic and memorable marketing stunts in recent history. The campaign aimed to showcase the precision and stability of Volvo Trucks’ dynamic steering system through a jaw-dropping demonstration performed by the legendary action star, Jean-Claude Van Damme.
At the heart of the campaign is a mesmerizing video that captures Van Damme performing an incredible split between two moving Volvo Trucks. Set to the haunting melody of Enya’s “Only Time,” the video showcases Van Damme’s unparalleled agility and balance as he maintains a perfect split position while suspended between the two trucks as they reverse along a deserted runway.
The video quickly went viral, garnering millions of views within days of its release and sparking widespread admiration and discussion among viewers worldwide.
In addition to the viral video, the campaign was supported by a comprehensive digital and social media strategy that amplified its reach and impact. Through strategic partnerships with influencers and media outlets, Volvo Trucks ensured that “The Epic Split” reached a wide audience and generated maximum buzz and engagement.
This video was part of Volvo Trucks’ Live Test film, which between June 2012 and May 2014 generated 100m+ YouTube views and were shared nearly 8 million times.
According to the agency, the campaign generated 20,000 media reports worldwide which gives an estimated $172.6m.
Volvo Trucks’ “The Epic Split” campaign marketing case study stands out for its sheer audacity and creativity. By enlisting Jean-Claude Van Damme to perform an awe-inspiring stunt that perfectly showcased the capabilities of its trucks, Volvo Trucks created a marketing masterpiece that captured the imagination of millions.
20. D ove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” Campaign
Dove aimed to challenge beauty stereotypes and promote self-esteem among women.
Dove launched the “Real Beauty Sketches” campaign, featuring an FBI-trained sketch artist creating composite sketches of women based on their own descriptions and those of strangers.
The campaign’s video highlighted the stark difference between how women perceive themselves and how others see them, emphasizing the negative impact of self-criticism on self-esteem. It went viral, sparking conversations about beauty standards and generating widespread media coverage.
As a result of the Real Beauty campaign, sales for Dove jumped from $2.5 to $4 billion in the campaign’s first ten years. The corporation boosted its revenues by 10% within a year. Nearly two decades later, the promotional endeavor continues to be active, with intentions to extend its reach into the digital realm.
Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” campaign is exceptional for its emotional resonance and societal impact. By shedding light on the issue of self-esteem and body image, Dove struck a chord with audiences and sparked a global conversation about beauty, confidence, and self-acceptance.
21. Spotify’s “Wrapped” Campaign
Spotify’s “Wrapped” campaign has become an annual phenomenon that celebrates the unique music tastes and listening habits of its users. The campaign offers personalized insights and highlights into each user’s year of listening on the platform, including their most-streamed songs, artists, and genres.
At the core of the “Wrapped” campaign is the idea of music as a deeply personal and emotive experience. By curating and presenting users with a personalized summary of their year in music, Spotify aims to foster a sense of connection and nostalgia while also showcasing the diversity and richness of its music library.
The campaign unfolds across various touchpoints, including the Spotify app, social media platforms, and digital advertisements. Users are encouraged to share their “Wrapped” summaries with friends and followers, sparking conversations and debates about music preferences and discoveries.
One of the key strengths of the “Wrapped” campaign is its ability to tap into the power of data and personalization.
The impact of the “Wrapped” campaign on Spotify’s brand perception and user engagement has been profound. The number of posts on X about Spotify Wrapped in 2021 jumped 461% from the previous year. A popular marketing firm found that Spotify’s 2020 Wrapped campaign led to a 21% increase in app downloads that December.
Spotify’s “Wrapped” campaign marketing case study stands out for its ability to transform data into meaningful and emotional experiences for users. By curating personalized summaries that celebrate the diversity and individuality of each user’s music tastes, Spotify creates a sense of connection and belonging that resonates deeply with its audience.
22. Iceland Groceries Campaign
Iceland, a UK-based supermarket chain, embarked on a groundbreaking marketing campaign to challenge misconceptions and revolutionize perceptions surrounding frozen food. The campaign aimed to redefine the narrative around frozen groceries by highlighting their quality, convenience, and sustainability.
At the heart of the Iceland Groceries campaign is a commitment to transparency and authenticity. By showcasing the sourcing and production processes behind its frozen food offerings, Iceland sought to reassure consumers about the freshness and nutritional value of its products.
One of the key strengths of the Iceland Groceries campaign is its focus on education and empowerment. By providing consumers with information about the benefits of frozen food and debunking common myths, Iceland empowers them to make informed choices and embrace frozen groceries as a convenient and sustainable option.
By showcasing a diverse range of everyday people using their products, Iceland saw a 55% retention rate on Facebook videos, a 59% on Youtube and their approval rating increased from 10% to 70%.
The Iceland Groceries campaign marketing case study stands out for its boldness and innovation in challenging industry norms and stereotypes. By tackling misconceptions head-on and championing the benefits of frozen food, Iceland has sparked meaningful conversations and changed perceptions among consumers.
23. Health-Ade’s Marketing Campaign
Health-Ade, a leading kombucha brand in the United States, embarked on an innovative marketing campaign to promote its products and differentiate itself in the competitive beverage market. The campaign aimed to position Health-Ade as a premium and health-conscious choice for consumers seeking natural and nutritious beverages.
At the core of the Health-Ade marketing campaign is a commitment to authenticity and quality. Unlike many mass-produced beverages, Health-Ade kombucha is handcrafted in small batches using only the highest quality ingredients, including organic tea and natural flavors. The campaign highlights Health-Ade’s dedication to traditional brewing methods and its unwavering commitment to producing the best-tasting and most nourishing kombucha on the market.
Through vibrant imagery, engaging storytelling, and compelling messaging, Health-Ade showcases the unique flavor profiles and health benefits of its kombucha, inviting consumers to join the “Health-Ade family” and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Thanks to their campaign, Health-Ade generated 1.6 million impressions, all done with influencer marketing. They generated $11.200 worth of impressions using only a fraction of the cost.
The Health-Ade marketing campaign marketing case study stands out for its authenticity, quality, and commitment to promoting health and wellness. By prioritizing transparency and education, Health-Ade has earned the trust and loyalty of consumers, distinguishing itself from competitors and driving strong sales growth.
Moreover, the campaign’s focus on creating a sense of community and belonging has been instrumental in building brand affinity and advocacy. Through engaging storytelling and experiential activations, Health-Ade has fostered connections with consumers and established itself as not just a beverage brand, but a lifestyle choice.
24. Always’ “Like a Girl” Campaign
Always sought to challenge societal perceptions of what it means to do something “like a girl” and empower girls and women.
Always launched the “Like a Girl” campaign, featuring a video highlighting the negative connotations associated with the phrase “like a girl” and showcasing the confidence and strength of young girls.
The video aimed to change the meaning of “like a girl” to represent strength, confidence, and capability. It sparked a global conversation about gender stereotypes and garnered widespread praise for its empowering message. Always continued the campaign with initiatives to support girls’ confidence and self-esteem.
The results of Always #LikeAGirl campaign led to 4.4bn+ media impressions and 177,000 #LikeAGirl tweets in the first three months. After the campaign, 50% of women chose to purchase Always brand over competitors.
Always ‘ “Like a Girl” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its impact on cultural perceptions and empowerment. By challenging ingrained stereotypes and celebrating the strength and potential of girls, Always inspired positive change and fostered a more inclusive and supportive environment for girls and women worldwide.
25. Coca-Cola’s “Small World Machines”
Coca-Cola aimed to foster connections between people from India and Pakistan, two neighboring countries with a history of tension.
Coca-Cola created “Small World Machines,” special vending machines placed in public areas in India and Pakistan, allowing people from both countries to interact with each other via live video feeds.
Participants could see and interact with each other in real-time, completing tasks together and sharing moments of joy. The initiative aimed to break down barriers and promote peace and understanding between the two nations.
It was a real success: over 10,000 Cokes were distributed during the campaign, Coca-Cola garnered more than 58 million media impressions, it received 4,000+ unique mentions on news websites, TV broadcasts, blogs, and forums and even became a big hit at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013.
During the campaign, posts about “Coke” or “Coca-Cola” increased by 25%, earning their account over 34,000 new followers within 15 days.
Coca-Cola’s “Small World Machines” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its efforts to bridge divides and promote unity through technology and shared experiences. By facilitating interactions between individuals from countries with historical tensions, Coca-Cola demonstrated the power of human connection and the potential for brands to promote social good and understanding on a global scale.
26. Burger King’s “Whopper Detour” Campaign
Burger King, a global fast-food chain, aimed to increase customer engagement and drive traffic to its restaurants through an innovative marketing campaign.
Burger King launched the “Whopper Detour” campaign, which leveraged geolocation technology to offer customers a steep discount on its signature burger, the Whopper, but with a catch: they could only claim the deal by ordering through the Burger King app while physically inside or near a McDonald’s restaurant.
Using geofencing technology, Burger King targeted customers who were within 600 feet of a McDonald’s restaurant. When these customers opened the Burger King app, they were prompted to “unlock” the Whopper deal by navigating to the nearest Burger King location. The campaign generated buzz and curiosity among consumers, driving them to download the Burger King app and visit Burger King restaurants to claim their discounted Whoppers.
The “Whopper Detour” campaign was a success, generating millions of app downloads and significantly increasing foot traffic to Burger King restaurants.
Burger King experienced a notable surge, with a 53.7% rise in monthly active users (MAUs) for its mobile app. The percentage of users opting to share their location data with Burger King skyrocketed by 143%. Remarkably, the total return on investment (ROI) from the Whopper Detour campaign reached an impressive 37-1.
Burger King’s “Whopper Detour” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its creativity, innovation, and effectiveness in driving customer engagement and foot traffic to its restaurants. By leveraging geolocation technology and gamifying the customer experience, Burger King created a memorable and engaging campaign that resonated with consumers and generated excitement around its brand.
The campaign’s success demonstrates Burger King’s willingness to push the boundaries of traditional marketing and its ability to connect with consumers in new and unexpected ways.
27. Amazon’s Prime Day
Amazon sought to drive sales and boost Prime membership subscriptions during typically slower shopping periods. Amazon launched Prime Day, a one-day shopping event exclusive to Prime members, offering discounts on a wide range of products.
Prime Day featured limited-time deals, flash sales, and exclusive product launches, creating a sense of urgency and excitement among shoppers. The event generated record-breaking sales, surpassing even Black Friday and Cyber Monday numbers. Additionally, Prime membership sign-ups increased significantly during Prime Day.
In the U.S., spending increased by 6.1% to $12.7 billion compared to the previous year. Prime members purchased over 375 million items worldwide and saved more than $2.5 billion with Prime Day discounts .
Amazon’s Prime Day marketing case study is exceptional for its ability to create a shopping frenzy and drive sales while also incentivizing Prime membership subscriptions. By offering exclusive deals and benefits to Prime members, Amazon not only boosted revenue but also strengthened customer loyalty and engagement, solidifying Prime as a must-have subscription service for millions of shoppers.
28. McDonald’s “Our Food, Your Questions” Campaign
McDonald’s aimed to address misconceptions and concerns about the quality and sourcing of its food ingredients.
They launched the “Our Food, Your Questions” campaign, inviting customers to ask any questions they had about McDonald’s food via social media and other channels.
McDonald’s responded transparently to customer inquiries, providing detailed information about its food sourcing, preparation methods, and quality standards. The campaign helped demystify McDonald’s food and build trust with customers by demonstrating the company’s commitment to transparency and quality.
McDonald’s witnessed a notable uptick, with a 29% increase in its food quality perception score and a 35% boost in the company’s trust score. Throughout the campaign period, McDonald’s experienced a commendable 14% growth in sales. Undoubtedly, honesty emerged as the most effective strategy.
McDonald’s “Our Food, Your Questions” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its transparency and engagement with customers. By openly addressing concerns and providing clear information about its food, McDonald’s strengthened its relationship with consumers and demonstrated a willingness to listen and respond to their feedback.
29. Airbnb’s “Experiences” Launch
Airbnb aimed to expand its offerings beyond accommodations and provide travelers with unique, immersive experiences.
Airbnb launched “Experiences,” a platform where hosts could offer activities, tours, and workshops to travelers, allowing them to engage with local culture and communities.
They curated a diverse range of experiences, from cooking classes to outdoor adventures, and promoted them to travelers worldwide. The platform quickly gained popularity, attracting both hosts and guests seeking authentic and personalized travel experiences.
The UK-based brand tracker BrandIndex showed an increase in ad awareness for Airbnb, rising from 2.8 to 14.1 over six months after the campaign’s launch. Altogether, Airbnb’s strategy resulted in an increase of 172K followers.
Airbnb’s “Experiences” launch is exceptional for its innovation and ability to tap into the growing demand for experiential travel. By leveraging its existing platform and network of hosts, Airbnb expanded its offerings to include activities and experiences, further enhancing its value proposition and solidifying its position as a leader in the travel industry.
30. Pizza Hut’s “Hut Rewards” Loyalty Program
Pizza Hut, a leading pizza restaurant chain, aimed to increase customer retention and drive repeat business in a competitive market.
Pizza Hut’s strategy with the “Hut Rewards” loyalty program was to incentivize customers to return to their restaurants by offering rewards and discounts for frequent purchases. The program aimed to build customer loyalty and increase customer lifetime value by rewarding customers for their continued patronage.
The “Hut Rewards” loyalty program allowed customers to earn points for every dollar spent on Pizza Hut purchases, including online orders, delivery, and dine-in. Customers could redeem their points for free pizzas, sides, and other menu items, providing an incentive for repeat visits.
The loyalty program proved to be successful in driving customer engagement and loyalty for Pizza Hut. It attracted new customers and encouraged existing customers to increase their frequency of visits and spending.
Pizza Hut saw an increase in customer retention and repeat business, leading to higher sales and revenue for the company.
The conversion rates were impressive, with a remarkable 75% of email subscribers transitioning to Hut Rewards within the initial nine months of the launch. Pizza Hut experienced a notable 5% surge in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), marking the most significant industry advancement of the year and securing the top position among national pizza chains.
Pizza Hut’s “Hut Rewards” loyalty program marketing case study is exceptional for its ability to effectively incentivize customer loyalty and drive repeat business. By offering tangible rewards for frequent purchases, Pizza Hut created a strong incentive for customers to choose Pizza Hut over competitors and return to their restaurants regularly.
The program’s simplicity and accessibility made it easy for customers to participate, further enhancing its effectiveness in building brand loyalty and increasing customer lifetime value.
31. BMW’s “The Ultimate Driving Machine” Campaign
BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” campaign, introduced in the early 1970s, remains one of the most iconic and enduring advertising campaigns in the automotive industry. The campaign aimed to redefine the perception of BMW automobiles by emphasizing the brand’s commitment to delivering unparalleled performance, precision engineering, and driving pleasure.
Through a series of television commercials, print advertisements, and digital content, BMW positioned itself as the premier choice for drivers who demanded more than just transportation – they sought an exhilarating driving experience unlike any other.
The campaign leveraged innovative storytelling techniques and striking visuals to showcase BMW’s vehicles in action, highlighting their agility, responsiveness, and dynamic performance on the road.
BMW has employed the tagline “Ultimate Driving Machine” for over three decades. Over this period, its sales in the U.S. have surged from 15,007 units in 1974, the year preceding the inception of the ad slogan, to an impressive 266,200 units in 2005.
BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its longevity, consistency, and effectiveness in communicating the brand’s core values and identity. By focusing on the driving experience and performance capabilities of its vehicles, BMW differentiated itself from competitors and established a unique position in the automotive market.
32. “The Most Interesting Man in the World” Campaign
Dos Equis launched its iconic “The Most Interesting Man in the World” campaign to redefine the beer industry’s advertising landscape. The campaign aimed to position Dos Equis as the beer of choice for discerning and adventurous consumers seeking sophistication and worldly experiences.
The campaign was about the enigmatic and charismatic character of “The Most Interesting Man in the World.” Portrayed by actor Jonathan Goldsmith, this suave and debonair figure embodied the epitome of sophistication, charm, and adventure. Through a series of memorable television commercials, print advertisements, and digital content, Dos Equis brought the character to life, regaling viewers with tales of his extraordinary exploits and remarkable accomplishments.
The campaign’s success was built on the strength of its storytelling and the allure of its central character. With his distinctive catchphrase, “I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis,” “The Most Interesting Man in the World” captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, becoming a cultural phenomenon in the process.
In 2009 Dos Equis saw an increase of 22% in sales, even while other brands were seeing a deep fall (beer imported into the U.S. flagged significantly as craft beer took over, and sales fell about 4%).
Dos Equis’ “The Most Interesting Man in the World” campaign marketing case study stands out for its boldness, creativity, and enduring appeal. By creating a compelling character and narrative that transcended traditional beer advertising, Dos Equis captured the hearts and minds of consumers, elevating its brand to iconic status.
The campaign’s success was driven by its ability to tap into universal themes of adventure, intrigue, and sophistication. By positioning Dos Equis as the beer of choice for those who embrace life’s extraordinary moments, the campaign resonated with consumers across demographics.
33. Apple’s “Get a Mac” Campaign
Apple’s “Get a Mac” campaign was a series of television commercials that aimed to highlight the superiority of Mac computers over PCs in a humorous and relatable manner. The campaign featured two characters: a young, casually dressed man representing a Mac computer (played by actor Justin Long) and an older, more formal man representing a PC (played by actor John Hodgman).
Each commercial followed a similar format, with the two characters engaging in witty banter as they discussed various aspects of computer usage and functionality. The Mac character would typically showcase the ease of use, reliability, and innovative features of Mac computers, while the PC character would struggle with technical issues, viruses, and compatibility problems.
The brilliance of the “Get a Mac” campaign lay in its simplicity and effectiveness. By personifying the two types of computers and highlighting the differences between them in a lighthearted and entertaining manner, Apple effectively communicated the benefits of choosing a Mac over a PC to consumers.
The effects were immediate. Apple experienced a surge of 200,000 additional Mac sales within just one month following the campaign’s debut. By year-end, sales figures exhibited a remarkable 39% increase compared to the previous year.
Apple’s “Get a Mac” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts in a simple and engaging manner. By using humor and relatable characters, Apple made the benefits of Mac computers accessible to a wide audience, driving increased interest and adoption of its products.
Moreover, the campaign’s emphasis on user experience and innovation resonated with consumers who were increasingly seeking technology solutions that were intuitive, reliable, and stylish. By positioning Mac computers as the superior choice for creative professionals, students, and everyday users alike, Apple successfully differentiated itself from competitors and established a loyal customer base.
34. Procter & Gamble’s “Thank You, Mom” Campaign
Procter & Gamble’s “Thank You, Mom” campaign was a heartwarming and emotionally resonant tribute to the mothers of Olympic athletes. The campaign aimed to celebrate the unwavering support and sacrifices made by mothers in nurturing their children’s dreams and aspirations, particularly as they pursued excellence in sports on the global stage.
The centerpiece of the campaign was a series of television commercials and digital content that showcased the intimate and poignant moments between Olympic athletes and their mothers. These emotionally charged vignettes depicted the mothers’ role as pillars of strength, encouragement, and inspiration throughout their children’s athletic journeys, from their earliest beginnings to the pinnacle of their success on the Olympic stage.
By highlighting the profound bond between mothers and their children, the “Thank You, Mom” campaign struck a chord with audiences worldwide, eliciting a range of emotions from nostalgia and admiration to gratitude and reverence. It served as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role that mothers play in shaping their children’s lives and fostering their dreams, both on and off the field of competition.
Thank You, Mom was the biggest and most successful global campaign in P&G’s 175-year history with $500 million in global incremental P&G sales, 76 billion global media impressions, and over 74,000,000 global views.
Procter & Gamble’s “Thank You, Mom” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its emotional resonance and universal appeal. By celebrating the selfless love and sacrifice of mothers, the campaign struck a chord with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a deep and lasting connection with the brand.
Moreover, the campaign’s alignment with the Olympic Games provided a powerful platform to amplify its message of gratitude and appreciation on a global scale. Through its partnership with the world’s premier sporting event, Procter & Gamble was able to reach audiences around the world and inspire millions with its heartfelt tribute to mothers.
35. Metro Trains – Dumb Ways to Die
Metro Trains’ “Dumb Ways to Die” campaign was a groundbreaking and innovative public safety initiative aimed at promoting railway safety in Melbourne, Australia. The campaign sought to raise awareness about the dangers of reckless behavior around trains and railway tracks in a creative and engaging manner.
At the heart of the campaign was a catchy song and colorful animation featuring a cast of quirky characters engaging in various foolish and dangerous activities, such as standing too close to the edge of the platform or playing on railway tracks. The song’s upbeat melody and humorous lyrics served to captivate audiences of all ages, while delivering a serious message about the potential consequences of risky behavior near trains.
In addition to the animated video, the “Dumb Ways to Die” campaign was accompanied by a range of educational materials and interactive experiences, including posters, social media content, and mobile games. These elements helped to reinforce the campaign’s safety message and encourage audiences to take positive actions to prevent accidents and injuries on and around railway tracks.
Thanks to this campaign, , Metro Trains found around a 20% reduction in train station incidents.
Within 24 hours of launch, the Dumb Ways to Die song was ranked in the iTunes top 10. In just 48 hours it became number 6 in the singer/songwriter category globally. Many covers were produced by different artists and the song was used in school as an effective method for teaching safety.
Metro Trains’ “Dumb Ways to Die” campaign marketing case study is exceptional for its ability to tackle a serious and important issue with creativity, humor, and humanity. By using animation, music, and storytelling to deliver its safety message, the campaign transcended traditional public service announcements and connected with audiences on a deeper level.
The Future of Marketing Case Studies
The exploration of these 35 top marketing case studies unveils a diverse array of strategies, executions, and exceptional results achieved by brands across various industries. From innovative product launches to impactful social campaigns, each case study exemplifies the power of creativity, strategic thinking, and consumer-centric approaches in driving success.
What stands out in these case studies is the emphasis on authenticity, engagement, and addressing consumer needs and aspirations. Brands that dared to be bold, transparent, and empathetic resonated deeply with their audiences, fostering lasting connections and loyalty.
Moreover, these case studies underscore the importance of adaptability and innovation in navigating rapidly evolving market landscapes. Brands that embraced change, leveraged emerging technologies, and responded effectively to shifting consumer behaviors emerged as leaders in their respective industries.
Ultimately, the success of these marketing case studies lies in their ability to capture hearts, minds, and market share through compelling storytelling, genuine human connections, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
As brands continue to navigate the ever-changing marketing landscape, these case studies serve as valuable lessons and inspiration for creating impactful campaigns that stand the test of time and leave a lasting impression on consumers.
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15 Marketing Case Study Examples With Standout Success Stories
Some marketing campaigns leave a lasting impression. We’ve gathered insights from CEOs and marketing leaders to share one standout marketing case study that resonates with them.
Table of Contents
Dove’s real beauty campaign impact, oatly’s bold brand strategy, rockervox’s tax credit success, local bookstore’s community engagement, coca-cola’s personalized brand experience, dropbox’s viral referral program, authentic influencer marketing for cpg brand, airbnb’s “we accept” social impact, amul’s topical and humorous campaigns, axe’s “find your magic” brand refresh, squatty potty’s humorous viral video, old spice’s viral humor campaign, red bull stratos’s high-flying publicity, maple dental’s seo success story, dollar shave club’s viral launch video.
Some marketing campaigns leave a lasting impression.
We’ve gathered insights from CEOs and marketing leaders to share one standout marketing case study that resonates with them.
From Dove’s Real Beauty Campaign’s impact to Dollar Shave Club’s viral launch video, explore fifteen memorable marketing triumphs that these experts can’t forget.
- AXE’s ‘Find Your Magic’ Brand Refresh
One marketing case study that has always stayed with me is the Dove Real Beauty Campaign. It really struck a chord when it launched in 2004, challenging the beauty standards and celebrating women’s diversity. What made it stand out was the “Real Beauty Sketches” video, where women described themselves to a sketch artist. Seeing the stark contrast between their self-perceptions and how others saw them was incredibly eye-opening and touching.
What I found so compelling about this campaign was its message of self-acceptance and empowerment. Dove didn’t just try to sell products; they took a stand for something much bigger, and it resonated deeply with people. Using video storytelling was a genius move as it made the message more impactful and shareable. I believe Dove showed how brands can make a real difference by addressing important social issues in an authentic and meaningful way.
Nicole Dunn , CEO, PR and Marketing Expert, Dunn Pellier Media
As a content and brand marketer, Oatly’s brand strategy always inspires me. They are a textbook example of comprehensive brand-building.
Their visual style is instantly recognizable—bold, disruptive, and often filled with humor, making oat milk a statement and something you’d be proud to display on your shelves or socials.
Their tone of voice is witty, sometimes cheeky. They’ve even printed negative feedback on their packaging, which really just shows how they court controversy to spark conversations and enhance their brand’s visibility.
And there’s a strong story behind Oatly, too. They promote sustainability and aren’t shy about their environmental impact, which has simply helped them grow an enthusiastic community of environmental advocates. Clever in endless ways, such that tons of oat milk brands have followed suit.
Wisia Neo , Content Marketing Manager, ViB
One standout marketing case study that sticks with me is the implementation of our RockerVox Restaurant Bundle, aimed at optimizing cash flow through targeted use of employer-based tax credits. The power of this case study lies in its immediate financial impact on the client, a local restaurant chain that was struggling to keep its doors open in the wake of the pandemic.
By integrating the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and other relevant tax schemes into their payroll setup, we enabled the restaurant to reclaim a significant amount in tax credits. The real game-changer was not just the financial relief but also how it was achieved. We combined this with StaffedUp’s Applicant Tracking System, which improved their hiring processes and decreased employee turnover. This holistic approach led to a sustainable improvement in their operations and cash flow.
What made this case study so great was its tangible results. The restaurant saw a cash flow improvement of over 100%. This wasn’t just a number on a report—it meant being able to invest back into the business, enhance their services, and ultimately, keep their community fed and employed. This approach of integrating technology with financial strategy can be adapted by other businesses striving for similar resilience and growth, especially in times of economic difficulty.
Philip Wentworth, Jr , Co-Founder and CEO, Rockerbox
Certainly, one particularly impactful marketing strategy I led at FireRock Marketing involved a small local bookstore that was facing steep competition from online retailers. Our challenge was to increase foot traffic and reinforce the store’s brand presence in a highly digitalized market.
We initiated a campaign called “Local Pages, Local Stages,” where we leveraged digital marketing alongside community engagement. The bookstore held monthly events featuring local authors and artists, which we promoted heavily through targeted social media ads, email marketing, and local influencer partnerships. This multifaceted approach tapped into the community’s growing interest in supporting local ventures, enhancing visibility significantly.
The outcomes were remarkable. Over the campaign’s six-month duration, in-store sales increased by 40%, and the bookstore saw a 65% rise in attendance at events, which also boosted ancillary revenue from merchandise and cafe sales. Additionally, social media engagement metrics increased by over 150%, reflecting greater brand awareness.
This case study sticks with me because it exemplifies the power of combining digital strategies with community-based marketing to create a sustainable growth model. It shows how businesses can use holistic, integrated approaches to effectively adapt to new consumer behaviors and competitive landscapes.
Ryan Esco , Chief Marketing Officer, FireRock Marketing
A memorable marketing case study is the “Share a Coke” campaign by Coca-Cola. Initially launched in Australia in 2011, this campaign personalized the Coke experience by replacing the iconic Coca-Cola logo on bottles with common first names.
The idea was to encourage people to find bottles with their names or those of their friends and family, creating a more personal connection to the brand. The campaign was an enormous hit and was quickly rolled out worldwide, incorporating more names and even terms of endearment in different languages.
The brilliance of this campaign lay in its use of personalization, which tapped directly into the social media trend of sharing personal moments. People enthusiastically shared their personalized Coke bottles on various social media platforms, significantly amplifying the campaign’s reach beyond traditional advertising media.
This strategy boosted sales and reinforced Coca-Cola’s position as a fun and innovative brand. The “Share a Coke” campaign is a powerful example of how traditional products can be revitalized through creative marketing strategies that engage consumers personally.
Sahil Kakkar , CEO and Founder, RankWatch
For me, a standout marketing case study that really sticks with me is Dropbox’s referral program strategy back in their early days. By offering free storage space for every successful referral, they incentivized existing users to spread the word organically, resulting in exponential growth at virtually no acquisition cost.
What made this case study so brilliant was how elegantly it aligned product experience with viral sharing. Users had a vested interest in sharing Dropbox since it directly expanded their own cloud storage. This created a self-perpetuating cycle where better product engagement fueled more referrals, which then improved engagement further.
It was an ingenious lever that capitalized on the inherent sharing dynamics of their service to ignite explosive growth. The simplicity and potency of this growth hack is what truly resonates as a paragon of effective guerrilla marketing.
Ben Walker , Founder and CEO, Ditto Transcripts
One marketing case study that has always stuck with me was a campaign I led for a major CPG brand a few years back. The goal was to increase awareness and trial of their new line of organic snacks among millennial moms in a crowded market.
We developed an influencer seeding strategy focused on relatable mom micro-influencers on Instagram. Instead of just sending products, we worked with the influencers to develop authentic content that told real stories about the role of snacking and nutrition in busy family life. The photos and videos felt genuine, not overly polished or promotional.
Engagement was through the roof—the content resonated so strongly with the target audience. By the end of the 3-month campaign, we increased awareness by 45% and trial by over 20%. The CPG brand was thrilled, and the case study became an example we still reference today of the power of influencer marketing done right. Authenticity wins.
Gert Kulla , CEO, RedBat.Agency
One marketing case study that stuck with me was the Airbnb “We Accept” campaign, launched in 2017, focusing on social impact. This response to the global refugee crisis aimed to promote inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance within communities worldwide.
What made this case study remarkable was its ability to leverage the Airbnb platform to facilitate connections between hosts and displaced persons, providing them with temporary housing and support.
Airbnb demonstrated its commitment to using its platform for social good and making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. This aligned with its mission to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere.
At the end of the day, Airbnb’s “We Accept” campaign was a compelling case study showing brands how to address social issues, promote inclusivity, and drive positive change in communities worldwide.
Peter Bryla , Community Manager, ResumeLab
One standout marketing case study that sticks with me is the “Amul” marketing campaigns by Amul, the iconic Indian dairy cooperative, make for excellent and impactful case studies as well. Here’s why Amul’s marketing stands out:
The Amul Girl – The mascot of a mischievous, friendly butter girl has become one of India’s most recognizable brand icons since her inception in 1966. Her presence on topical ads commenting on the latest news and pop culture trends has made Amul’s billboards a long-standing source of joy and relevance.
Topicality – Amul’s billboards and newspaper ads are renowned for their topicality and ability to humorously comment on major events, celebrity happenings, and political developments within hours. This real-time marketing has kept the brand part of daily conversations for decades.
Humor – The not-so-secret sauce is the brilliant use of puns, wordplay, and satirical humor that Amul consistently delivers through the eyes of the Amul Girl. The healthy, inoffensive jokes have earned a cult following.
Longevity – Very few brands can boast an equally iconic and successful campaign running for over 50 years, still keeping audiences engaged across multiple generations. The long-running property itself has become a case study in sustaining relevance.
Local Connect – While achieving pan-India recognition, the puns often play on regional language nuances, striking a chord with Amul’s Gujarati roots and building a personal connection with local consumers.
The impact of Amul’s long-running topical billboard campaign is unmatched—it has not only strengthened brand recognition and loyalty but has also made the cooperative a beloved part of India’s popular culture and daily life. Creativity, agility, and contextual marketing at its best!
Yash Gangwal , Founder, Urban Monkey
Axe (Lynx in the UK) had created a problematic brand image from past marketing efforts. Their focus on ‘attraction is connected to conquest’ hadn’t dissuaded men from buying their deodorants, but had a toxic effect on perceptions of women. Research conducted on brand equity showed that brand equity was declining, with this perception of the brand aging poorly and desperately needing a refresh to continue allowing the brand to be relevant for the future.
That led to a superb partnership with creative agency 72andSunny Amsterdam. Unilever was able to tap into an entirely new philosophy for its brand:
Empower men to be the most attractive man they could be – themselves.
With that idea in mind, 2016 saw the launch of the AXE ‘Find Your Magic’ commercial, a stunning celebration of the diversity of modern masculinity. The campaign also saw the release of a new range of premium grooming products and a supporting influencer marketing campaign featuring brand ambassadors, including John Legend.
While not all parts of the creative were successful, the campaign drove more than 39 million views and 4 billion media impressions in the first quarter after the launch. But most critically, AXE saw a 30+% increase in positive perception of their brand.
This campaign will stand the test of time because it combines several important and brave initiatives:
- A forward-thinking mentality that the brand image you have today may not be suited for a future world
- A broader understanding of what your customer base looks like – women also play a big role in men’s choice of deodorant
- A big and bold attempt to change the way your brand is perceived – and succeeding with flying colors.
Yannis Dimitroulas , SEO and Digital Marketing Specialist, Front & Centre
One standout marketing case study that sticks with me is the campaign for Squatty Potty. The brand created a humorous video featuring a unicorn pooping rainbow ice cream to demonstrate the benefits of using their product. This unconventional approach garnered widespread attention and went viral, generating millions of views and shares on social media platforms.
The success of this campaign can be attributed to its creative storytelling, humor, and shock value, which made it memorable and engaging for viewers. By thinking outside the box and taking a risk with their messaging, Squatty Potty was able to create a unique and effective marketing strategy that resonated with consumers.
This case study serves as a reminder that creativity and originality can set a brand apart in a crowded marketplace, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness and customer engagement.
Carly Hill , Operations Manager, Virtual Holiday Party
The Old Spice ‘The Man Your Man Could Smell Like’ campaign remains etched in my memory. Its brilliance lies in its humor and creativity. By featuring a charismatic spokesperson and employing absurd scenarios, it captured viewers’ attention and went viral.
The campaign seamlessly integrated across platforms, from TV to social media, maximizing its reach. Its cleverness and entertainment value made it unforgettable, setting a benchmark for engaging marketing strategies. The case study showcases the importance of storytelling and humor in capturing audience interest and driving brand awareness.
Dan Ponomarenko , CEO, Webvizio
A marketing case study that has made a lasting impression on me is the Red Bull Stratos Jump. This campaign was for Felix Baumgartner’s record-breaking jump from the edge of space, sponsored by Red Bull. The goal of this campaign was to create buzz and generate brand awareness through this extreme event.
The reason why this case study stands out to me is because of its successful execution in capturing the attention and interest of not just extreme sports enthusiasts, but also the general public.
The live broadcast of Baumgartner’s jump on various channels and social media platforms garnered over 52 million views, making it one of the most-watched live events ever. Red Bull’s strategic use of real-time marketing, storytelling, and high-quality visuals made this campaign a huge success, resulting in a significant increase in sales and brand recognition for the company.
This case study serves as a great example of how a well-planned and executed marketing campaign can effectively reach and engage with a wide audience.
Brian Hemmerle , Founder and CEO, Kentucky Sell Now
One standout marketing case study that resonates with me is the SEO transformation for Maple Dental. This campaign dramatically improved their local online visibility, leading to a substantial increase in new patient appointments. The integration of Google Maps SEO proved to be a game-changer, emphasizing the power of local search optimization in attracting nearby clients.
What made this case study exceptional was the measurable impact on the clinic’s business. For instance, the campaign led to a 230% increase in phone calls and a 223% increase in website visits. Such clear, quantifiable results showcased a direct contribution to business growth. These metrics are vital for demonstrating the return on investment in digital marketing efforts.
Additionally, the use of a targeted approach to enhance Google Maps visibility was particularly compelling. By optimizing their presence on Google Maps, Maple Dental saw a 250% increase in monthly maps impressions, which directly correlated with increased patient inquiries and visits.
Ihor Lavrenenko , CEO, Dental SEO Expert
One case study that always comes to mind is Dollar Shave Club’s launch video in 2012. It was called “Our Blades Are F*cking Great,” and let’s just say it got people talking! This video was hilarious and totally different from those fancy shaving commercials we were used to seeing. It spoke directly to guys, poked fun at expensive razor prices, and offered a way to get awesome blades for much less.
Additionally, it told everyone to check out their website. It was short, catchy, and made a huge impact. This is a perfect example of how a creative and funny video can grab attention, make people remember your brand, and get them to become customers.
Perry Zheng , Founder and CEO, Pallas
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22 Marketing Case Study Examples (With Template)
February 17, 2016 by Will Swayne
Prospects who aren’t ready to buy – or who are “sitting on the fence” – tend to be resistant to even well-crafted marketing messages. But a bunch of well aimed marketing case studies can often tip the scales in your favour.
“Sell benefits, not features” is good advice, but benefit-rich copy can actually deter prospects who haven’t reached the decision stage yet.
And too many benefits in the absence of marketing proof elements can ring hollow in today’s increasingly sceptical marketplace.
We published our first marketing case study back in 2005 and I quickly realised the power of case studies as a versatile and effective marketing tactic.
Why are marketing case studies so effective?
Here are three reasons:
- Case studies show, they don’t tell. Telling you I can get you more qualified leads is one thing. Showing you how a similar company to yours got 145% more leads with 24% lower marketing costs is another.
- Prospects are typically curious to understand how others have achieved the results they desire. They will eagerly devour a well-constructed case study.
- Case studies are also a great tool for closing fence-sitting prospects. For many years I’ve asked prospects why they chose to work with us, and the most common response seems to be, “I was impressed by your case studies” , or “I saw you helped someone in my industry so I figure you can help us too” .
Now let’s look at how to structure and effectively promote a case study, and then some marketing case study examples for you to replicate.
Our Recommended Case Study Template
Here’s the case study structure we’ve adopted which has proven effective:
- Start with a major headline that summarises the key result achieved: e.g. “Investment Property Strategist Triples Leads In 6 Months” . This gets the prospect excited about reading on.
- Then introduce the background . In other words, the “Before” scenario.Don’t bore the reader with too many details about the history of the client. But DO provide an insight into the “trigger” that led to them seeking your assistance. e.g. “The client noticed smaller competitors starting to appear ahead of them on Google”. And, DO talk about the negative effects of the “Before” state. E.g. “New customer acquisition that had previously been growing by 10% every quarter had flatlined for the last 12 months.”
- Now talk about the solution . Here’s where you explain what you did to achieve the outcomes. I like to list different services or solutions in the form of bullet points. Also, include significant details and facts and figures to add “richness” to the story. Where possible, demonstrate with images, screenshots or other proof elements. Emphasise anything you did differently to the standard approach, or anything that highlights your point-of-difference benefits.
- Now talk about your results . Results are the crux of any good case study.I like to go with a number of punchy bullet points, populated with specific numbers. E.g . “Lead volume up 75%… New customer volume from online sources up 145%… 1,540 more organic search engine visitors per month.”
- Include a testimonial from the client. What was their reaction to your work? The “Before-During-After” approach is a good structure for testimonials. A strong testimonial adds texture and credibility to the data in your core case study.
- End with a call-to-action . This can be relatively low-key. For example, “Contact us to explore how you can enjoy similar breakthrough results.”
You can see more examples of different implementations of this concept on our online marketing case studies page.
How To Promote Your Case Study
A case study that never gets read won’t help you.
Here are some of our favourite promotional methods:
- Optimise each case study for search engines . A good start is using a <title> tag on your case study pages in the format: “<INDUSTRY> <SERVICE> case study”. For example, “Accountant online marketing case study” or “Car sales lead generation case study” . This will tend to rank you well for anyone searching for case studies about your industry.
- Send case studies to your email subscribers . These emails achieve high engagement both as broadcasts, and as “drip emails” within an automation sequence .
- Create a print booklet of case studies to send to prospects and clients via snail mail or distribute at trade shows.
- Case studies make great social media updates and can be recycled every few months using different headlines.
22 Marketing Case Study Examples
1. fuji xerox australia business equipment, tripled leads for 60% less marketing spend.
In 90 days, we doubled web lead flow with lower marketing costs.
Read the full case study here.
Paul Strahl , National e-Business Manager
2. Surf Live Saving Foundation
Surf lottery grows online revenue 47%.
Marketing Results delivered tangible business improvements, including 47% higher revenue from digital, year-on-year.
Yin Tang , Surf Live Saving Foundation
3. ABC Reading Eggs
Integrated search and conversion management for abc reading eggs.
Marketing Results have been instrumental in profitably expanding our ad spend, while removing waste.
Matthew Sandblom , Managing Director ABC Reading Eggs
4. MAP Home Loans
From 70 hour weeks to 40 hour weeks with 100% annual growth.
I now make twice as much money, have less stress and fewer hours.
Craig Vaunghan , Principal MAP Home Loans
5. Inkjet Wholesale
Online advertising roi doubles – in just three months.
We couldn’t be happier – conversion rates are up, costs are down, ROI has doubled.
Glenn Taylor , National Marketing Manager Inkjet Wholesale
6. Breaking Into Wall Street
Info-marketing business achieves 300% revenue growth with 7-figure profits.
Marketing Results provided the marketing support to grow my annual revenue 300%+. They don’t just advise – they implement.
Brian DeChesare , Founder Breaking Into Wall Street
7. LatestBuy
Brw fast 100 online retailer latestbuy.com.au boosts sales by 45.3%.
Revenue had flatlined… Now it is up by 45%, with over 80% of that due to conversion rate optimisation.
Shaun Campbell , Co-Owner LatestBuy.com.au
8. directSMS
More traffic, less cost, lead volume doubles.
More than doubled the number of qualified enquiries via our website for the same ad spend.
Ramez Zaki , Co-Founder directSMS
9. Business Coach and Author, Pure Bookkeeping
Successful marketing automation and 100.95% year on year growth.
50%+ of business comes directly through online channels and none of this would have happened without Marketing Results.
Peter Cook , Business Coach & Author Pure Bookkeeping
10. Positive Training Solutions
Higher rankings plus more, higher-quality leads.
Marketing Results excels in strategic and online marketing.
James Grima , Managing Director Positive Training Solutions
11. Geelong’s Gym
From 5-6 leads a month to 60-70. 10x increase.
We’ve gone from 5 – 6 leads per month to 60 – 70!
Gerard Spriet , Owner Geelong’s Gym
12. Super Finance – SMSF Property
A new pipeline delivering a steady flow of web leads.
Outstanding quality of web generated leads!
Yannick Ieko , Director Super Finance
13. College For Adult Learning – Training Organisation
300%+ more sales with 60% lower cost per sale.
I expect at least another 60% more leads and 80-90% more revenue by continuing to work with Marketing Results.
Rob Golding , Director College For Adult Learning
14. The Gourmet Guardian – Food Safety Programs
4 times more leads and a 269% revenue increase.
Your AdWords strategies have quadrupled leads, almost tripled revenue and reduced my dependence on contract work to zero.
Gavin Buckett , Managing Director The Gourmet Guardian
15. Quick Coach – Life Coaching Courses
More qualified sales plus a facebook roi of 1285%.
The results have been fantastic… I have had over 500 potential students opt in via Google wanting to change their lives and those of their clients.
Glen Murdoch , Founder & CEO Quick Coach
16. Investment House – Property Development
Clients lined up for everything we can find.
We have clients lined up for everything we can find.
Colin Ferguson , Managing Director Investment House
17. Cosmetic Surgery Lead Generation
257% increase in qualified lead volume.
In less than a year, our enquiry volume increased by over 257% while increasing the quality and conversion rate of those leads.
Dee Tozer , Managing Director Medici Clinics
18. All Suburbs Catering
61% roi gain in less than 5 months….
20% more enquiries for 34% less cost – a compounded gain of 61% in only 5 months.
Jeff Veale , Managing Director All Suburbs Catering
19. Trilogy Funding
549 qualified sales leads in 3 months.
549 qualified sales leads in 3 months.
Ed Nixon , Principal Trilogy Funding
20. Customized Stickers
Online revenue rockets by 800%.
With Marketing Result on our side, our website revenue has increased by over 800% in only 18 months.
Anthony Khoury , Managing Director Customized Stickers
21. Technoledge
Engaging ceos of ideal target companies.
We’re routinely seeing CEOs of Australian hi techs with turnover of $5 million to $50 million (our target audience) opting in and proceeding to self-qualify before they contact us for a meeting. This is what digital marketing is supposed to do.
Tracey James , Director Technoledge
22. First Aid Training
Specialist first aid training company doubles revenue in 6 months.
We’ve streamlined customer acquisition, increased customer lifetime value, and doubled our revenue in 6 months!
Dave Hundt , Director Kids First Aid
I encourage you to put these tips into action and see how they work for you.
What other ways have you used case studies effectively in your business?
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Marketing has always been the most sought-after specialization in MBA programs across the world not without reason. Largely, it is as Peter Drucker rightly said decades ago "........ and business has only two functions - Marketing and Innovation. All the rest are costs". Marketing is the engine that provides the requisite stream for any organization to continue its long journey. Marketing as a Discipline encompasses several courses and synthesis of all these courses can be captured in a simple acronym - CAMP
C - Identifying the target customers and serving their potent and latent needs effectively
A - Reaching the target customers in the most effective manner through integrated communication
M - Identifying the appropriate and potential markets for growth
P - Designing and innovating products that match customers' said and unsaid needs
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Case Studies in Marketing Management: Examples and Analysis
by Prince Kumar
Last updated: 28 July 2023
Table of Contents
When it comes to learning about marketing, there’s no better teacher than real-world experience. Case studies provide an opportunity to see marketing strategies in action, giving students a chance to understand how businesses approach the many challenges of promoting their products and services.
In this blog, we’ll explore a variety of case studies from the hospitality industry, examining successful marketing campaigns and analyzing the strategies that made them effective. From large hotel chains to independent bed and breakfasts, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of hospitality marketing and discover the key principles that make for a winning campaign.
The Ritz-Carlton: A Focus on Service Quality
The Ritz-Carlton is known for its exceptional service quality, which is a key part of its brand identity. By focusing on service as a core value, the company has been able to attract and retain high-end customers who are willing to pay a premium for the Ritz-Carlton experience. We’ll explore how the Ritz-Carlton has been able to achieve such high levels of service quality and how other hospitality companies can learn from their example.
Taj Hotels: Using Unique Value Propositions to Stand Out
Taj Hotels is a luxury hotel chain that operates throughout India and abroad. One of the key reasons for the company’s success has been its ability to differentiate itself from competitors by offering unique value propositions. We’ll examine how Taj Hotels has used this strategy to become one of the most recognizable hotel brands in India and what other hospitality companies can learn from their example.
OYO Rooms: Disrupting the Traditional Hotel Industry
OYO Rooms is a budget hotel chain that has disrupted the traditional hotel industry in India by offering affordable, standardized rooms in a variety of locations. By using a tech-enabled business model, OYO has been able to rapidly expand its operations and attract a new segment of customers who were previously underserved by the hospitality industry. We’ll explore how OYO has been able to disrupt the industry and what other hospitality companies can learn from their approach.
Case studies are a valuable tool for understanding how marketing management principles can be applied in the hospitality industry. By examining real-world examples, you can gain insights into what works and what doesn’t in marketing strategy. Whether you’re running a small bed and breakfast or a large hotel chain, there’s always something to learn from the successes and failures of other companies in the industry.
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Syllabus – Principles of Marketing Management
1. evolution of marketing.
- Meaning – Demand, Need, Desires, Wants, Goods & Services
- Marketing planning
2. Nine Principles of Marketing
- Physical Evidence
3. Marketing strategy for hospitality industry
- Competitor – Types & strategies
- STP in Hotels
4. The service quality
- Forecasting
- Service attributes
- USP, unique value proposition & unique buying proposition
- Case studies
5. Pricing strategies and techniques in hospitality
6. publicity and promotion.
- Advertising
- Soft & Hard Sell
- Role of Copy Writer & Attributes of Good Advertising
- Functioning of Guest Relation Department
7. Experimental marketing, Consumer protection in India
8. financial control in marketing, marketing audit, enjoy premium reading experience by adding hmhub on home screen. super fast speed, offline access & more..
The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Case Studies
Everything you need to know about creating effective marketing case studies that will help you convert more leads.
FREE DOWNLOAD: CASE STUDY TEMPLATES
Showcase success using compelling case studies.
Updated: 12/02/21
Published: 08/02/17
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and imagine you were considering purchasing a new product.
Would you be more inclined to:
A) Chat with a salesperson — while trying to block out the tiny voice in your head reminding you that they’re working on commission?
B) Review a case study about a customer who used that product to solve a problem similar to yours?
Probably option B, right? That’s because we put more trust in word-of-mouth marketing than we do salespeople.
The way people consume information has changed, and buyers have all the resources they need to make decisions about what to purchase. Companies can either continue marketing the old, less effective way … or they can embrace these changes and let their customers do the work for them through testimonials, reviews, word-of-mouth marketing, and marketing case studies.
Customers trust other customers — the companies that recognize this will benefit in the long run and grow better.
Plenty of companies have already proven how beneficial marketing case studies can be. They are the most popular form of self-promotional marketing used by marketing agency executives in the U.S. Additionally, 88% of surveyed B2B marketers say that customer case studies are considered to be their most impactful content marketing tactic.
While chatting with a salesperson can be helpful, and even preferable for some, it’s clear that having marketing case studies on your website can be beneficial. Case studies answer potential customers’ questions, demonstrate success, build company-wide credibility, increase conversions , and most importantly, eliminate bias so your customer can make a confident decision to buy your product.
What Is a Marketing Case Study?
Marketing case studies analyze the ways that a customer uses a product or service. They describe a challenge the customer faced, the solutions they considered, and the results they experienced after their purchase. Strong case studies can compel others to buy a product.
Benefits of Case Studies
Converting Leads with Case Studies
Choosing a Case Study Format
Conducting a Case Study Interview
Benefits of Marketing Case Studies
The use of marketing case studies is beneficial to companies of all sizes and customers of all backgrounds. Well-crafted marketing case studies provide potential customers with engaging content that excites them to buy your product.
They Tell a Relatable Story
Case studies often involve an interview with a customer that has had success using your product. Before choosing a customer for an interview, consider who you’re targeting. Your case studies should appeal to your buyer persona .
When your target customer feels connected to your case studies, they will feel more confident in their purchase.
Consider this: You’re buying a new software for your team. You have a few possible options in mind, so you head to their respective websites to do your own research. The first two options sound good on paper (or rather, on screen), but you want a solution you can really trust. Something that is preferably not written by the company itself.
The third site you go to has a landing page that includes a few case studies. One of the case studies features an interview with an employee at a company similar to yours. You listen to that person describe challenges that they faced prior to getting the software — challenges that sound a lot like the ones you and your team currently face. The interviewee then talks about the ways that their software purchase resolved their pain points.
Wouldn’t the case study you found on the third website make you feel confident that the software could help your team, too?
The key to creating relatable case studies is considering your buyer personas. That means considering demographics, company size, industry, etc. and selecting a person that the majority of your potential customers will feel a connection.
They Demonstrate Success
Take a look at HubSpot’s case study landing page . Check out the wide range of case studies listed. Notice how these case studies cover all types of industries, a wide variety of locations, different company sizes, and more.
If there are so many companies using HubSpot — to solve a vast array of challenges — then wouldn’t you assume HubSpot has a solid product that you could trust, too?
Case studies demonstrate success by showing potential customers that current customers — who once had challenges similar to their own — solved their pain points by making a purchase.
They Help Build Credibility
Credibility is what gives the people around you a reason to trust you.
For example, let’s say you’re looking at a product on Amazon , and you scroll down to the customer review section. You find that almost everyone has given the product a five-star rating or has written a positive comment about their experience. These comments and ratings build credibility for that product and brand.
Marketing case studies help your company build credibility. They also convince prospects to give your product a try when they see how many people already trust you, love your products, and believe in your mission.
They Help You Convert Leads
Case studies are a bottom-of-funnel strategy that will help you convert more leads . If a prospect is on the fence about your product, case studies are the marketing technique that will push them closer to that purchase decision.
For example, if a potential customer visits your website and they watch (or read) multiple case studies explaining the ways that customers have had success with your product, then they too may feel excited to become a customer.
If that same prospect just left your competitor’s website where there were no case studies, your solution then becomes an easy sell … and your competitor becomes obsolete.
Marketing case studies retain value over long periods of time — meaning the same study has the potential to convert leads for years . Unless you have a revamp or a complete update of the product being referred to in your case study, it can remain on your website as long as you see fit.
Marketing Case Study Template
Now that we’ve reviewed the reasons why you should have case studies on your site, you might be wondering how to actually create a marketing case study.
First, it’s no secret that video content is more effective than written content. So, if you can create a video case study, do it. If not, be sure to include images throughout your written case study to break up the text and provide visual stimulation for readers.
Second, remember one size does not fit all when it comes to creating case studies. They vary in length, format, content, and style based on what experience you want to provide for your potential customers.
Keep this in mind as we go through the following example … some of the content here might work perfectly in your case study, and some might need to be modified.
If you need some guidance, check out HubSpot’s Case Study Creation Kit .
1. Choose Your Case Study Format
To determine which format you want to use for your case study, think about what type of content would be most beneficial for your buyer personas. You should consider what challenges your buyer personas might face, what types of industries they work in, their locations, and their business demographics.
Two commonly used marketing case study formats to consider include an exposé and a transcription.
An exposé is an interview technique that covers specific details about a topic, event, or individual. If you look back at the case studies on the HubSpot landing page , you’ll see the exposé format in action. The director, or author, is conducting the interview, leading conversation, and asking the interview subject questions about their interactions with HubSpot.
Tip: When you’re recording a video interview for your case study, make sure the interview subject repeats your question before providing an answer.
For example, if you ask them, “What challenge did our product help you overcome?” you don’t want them to simply say “organizational challenges.” The editing process will cut your voice out of the interview, and their response won’t make sense. Instead, make sure they answer all questions as a complete statement such as, “This product helped us overcome several organizational challenges.”
Transcription
This is a simpler case study format. It’s a transcription of an interview with your customer , meaning there is typically a significant amount of text for potential customers to read through.
Be sure to include the interview questions throughout this type of case study so readers know exactly what the interview subject is referring to. Lastly, feel free to pair your transcription with a series of images or even video to break up the text.
2. Conduct the Interview
The interview is the most important part of the case study … and quality matters. Strong interviews and videos take time . It’s not unusual to conduct a one to two-hour interview just to get a solid two minutes of video to use in your case study.
During the interview, you should ask your customers about their lives prior to purchasing your product, what it was like to acquire your product, and how their company’s future has changed because of their purchase.
If possible, record the interview. If not, be sure to use a transcription or audio recording device to ensure accurate quotes and statements throughout your case study.
Here are some sample questions for you to consider:
Ask about the customer’s life prior to your product.
- Who are you? What is your title? What does your company do?
- What challenges were you experiencing that made you realize you needed a solution?
- Why was finding a solution to this challenge important?
Ask what it was like finding and purchasing your product.
Capture general commentary — information that anyone could understand — from your interview subject in this section so potential customers can relate no matter their background or experience.
- How did you find our product? What was your experience like while purchasing our product?
- Ask about your customer’s criteria during their search for a solution. What was crucial versus what was nice to have?
- What were the results that came from using our product? How did our product solve your challenge?
- Ask for numerical results and hard data. Get proof of these from your interview subject (or even your own company if you have records).
- What were you able to start doing as a result of our product working for you? What are the intangible results of our product?
Ask about the impact that the product has had on your customer’s life.
- How did our product change your view of your company’s future?
- What are you excited about moving forward?
- What would your future be like without our product?
After conducting your interview, it’s time to actually put your case study together.
Edit your interview down to the most important, relevant information for potential customers to learn about your product. Cut that hour-long video interview down to a minute or two of the best clips.
If your interview is going to become a written case study, include the very best quotes. Make it easy to read by separating your information with the help of headers, bulleted lists, images , and bold or italicized text.
3. Incorporate Your Case Study in Your Marketing and Sales Processes
Determine how to best use the case study in your marketing and sales processes. Here are a few ideas:
Create a case study library.
By creating a case study library on a landing page — similar to the HubSpot landing page or this page by Fractl — you provide your potential customers with an easy way to learn about your products and company as a whole.
Source : Fractl
A case study library or landing page will prevent potential customers and leads from having to dig around on your website for any product information they’re searching for. If this information is not easily accessible, they could lose interest, become frustrated, leave your website, or even find an alternative solution on a competitor’s site.
Case study landing pages and libraries also help build credibility, look official, and typically bring in a lot of traffic — both through people searching for your company’s website and organic search.
According to Fractl , their case study landing page is the second most-visited page on their entire website. Additionally, it is their fourth most-visited page through organic search. Lastly, they’ve seen a huge boost in converting visitors to leads since the creation of their case study landing page — half of Fractl’s leads view at least one of their case studies.
Surround your case studies with social proof.
If so many people are saying it’s true, then it must be true — this is how companies use the theory of social proof to their advantage.
Social proof theories say that people let the actions, behaviors, and beliefs of those around them impact their own. For example, some theories say most people would answer “yes” to the question: “If all of your friends jumped off of a bridge, would you?”
Social proof — or in this case, your friends all jumping off of the bridge — influences people to make decisions based on the expectations and behaviors of the people around them, even if their decision would be different if they were alone.
Companies use social proof in the form of customer reviews, logo walls (that is, the logos of companies that have purchased their products), or long-form videos. Social proof acts as a supplement to the information in a case study.
By showing potential customers how your products have changed the lives of other individuals, teams, and companies, prospects are more likely to buy into your claims and believe your product could help them, too.
Add product overviews to the case study section on your site.
If you’re editing down your case study interview and realize your interviewee said something vague or made a comment that a potential customer may not necessarily understand, you can add a product overview or reference guide next to that case study.
For example, imagine HubSpot is conducting a case study interview and an interview subject goes into detail about the specific functions of Workflows . A potential customer may not know much about HubSpot’s Workflows, so a detailed discussion about their features may not be relatable and could even raise some questions.
By including an overview or description of Workflows next to the case study where the product was mentioned, HubSpot can provide clarity for the viewer. You will also avoid making potential customers feel confused or uninterested.
Keep your sales team in the loop.
Once your case study is complete, you should notify your sales team so they can use them when reaching out to potential customers. They will be able to incorporate this information into their sales enablement kits — which include the technologies, processes, and content that allows them to sell efficiently and effectively.
By learning about the ways that real customers are using and benefiting from the products they are selling, sales teams can share relatable stories with potential customers and leads. These will help build trust and, most importantly, increase sales.
To help your sales team narrow the vast amount of information that typically comes from an in-depth case study, provide them with key takeaways that they can share with potential customers and leads. These key takeaways should include information about the interviewee’s background, title, and experience level and details about their company’s size, industry, and potential annual revenue.
This data will allow the sales team to tailor the information they share with potential customers and leads, organize it for future conversations, and make more efficient and impactful sales.
4. Determine How Many More Case Studies You Need
As I mentioned, every company is different and every product they sell is unique. Not every company will need the same number of case studies on their website to have an impact. To determine the right number of case studies for your company, think about the following tips.
Cover all of your bases.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least one to three case studies for each of your buyer personas.
To do this, cover a range of industries and types of companies, and interview people of different backgrounds, titles, demographics, and experience levels. You should make sure there is something for everyone who visits your website.
If your company targets customers all over the world and has offices located around the globe, this is especially important to consider. Think about what works for your buyer personas, your company’s location, and your goals when deciding how many case studies you need.
Sometimes, less is more.
Having an extensive list of case studies sounds like something everyone should have … right?
Not always. Think about it this way — if your company is on the smaller side and is relatively new, there’s a chance you haven’t given your customers much time with your products yet. There is also a chance that you don’t yet have a wide range of customers.
If your company then takes the time to create dozens of case studies, potential customers may feel you are being inauthentic and even unconvincing. It may also be a waste of resources that you can’t quite afford as a new business.
To be effective, try to make every one of your case studies relatable and helpful for your personas. Cover multiple use cases in each of your case studies when possible. You’ll not only simplify your own life, but you also keep your case study library clean and impactful.
Case studies are powerful marketing tools. They tell your potential customers relatable stories, demonstrate your company’s success, and help you build credibility. Case studies will help you reach your audience in a way that no sales pitch, email, newsletter, or advertisement will.
Plus, if your company made such a positive impact on a customer that they want to share their experience with others, why not broadcast that story?
Now it’s time to start creating content that matters to your potential customers and converts more leads.
Don't forget to share this post!
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This collection features brands and content creators that used video and other digital tactics to drive innovation, connect with their consumers, and drive brand and business metrics. Learn about best practices, creative executions, and how brands achieved success through digital.
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Comedy central’s innovative search/youtube strategy sends fans on an internet-wide easter egg hunt, fiat's 500x crossover ad drives audience engagement on youtube, how orkin's youtube content strategy exterminated the 'ew'-factor and boosted brand awareness, gillette wins with a digital-first approach for gillette body, how maybelline new york’s eye-catching youtube campaign dared consumers to 'go nude', driving sales for retailers with youtube's trueview for shopping, l'oréal canada finds beauty in programmatic buying, rosetta stone embraces mobile video to generate 10x increase in site traffic, new balance races past pre-order goal with youtube trueview and google lightbox ads, how budweiser won the big game with "puppy love", jcpenney optical boosts in-store traffic and brand exposure with google advertising, how activision reached over 2m subscribers on youtube, aéropostale partners with youtube star bethany mota to drive leads, sales and fans, mondelēz international improves campaign effectiveness with google’s brand lift solution, visit california lifts intent to travel to california with a unique experience on youtube, toyota drives engagement with first +post ads campaign, brand usa boosts travel intent 22% with 'discover america' campaign, kraft serves up a fresh take on food with a side of google, hyatt brings its brand experience to life with google solutions, ehealth boosts brand awareness with google display ads, sunrun uses google's brand lift solution to measure campaign recall, topshop reinvents its london fashion week show on google+ and engagement triples, chevrolet drives brand awareness for its new traverse, unilever's 'project sunlight' shines with 77 million youtube views, mercedes-benz france's immersive youtube experience fuels shift in brand perception, youtube and broadway: a cinderella story, chef jamie oliver's food tube: a recipe for youtube success, the record breaking love affair between evian® and youtube, nextiva attracts new customers with youtube trueview ads, vice's youtube success: growing sustained viewership through breakout videos, land rover finds success with engagement ads.
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Quick Case Study #1: Online course creator adds abandoned cart email, gets 93% conversion rate
A few months ago, Jennie Lakenan realized that she was getting some leads who started the purchase process for her course but didn't finish it.
BEFORE – Two-step checkout process
Her checkout system happens in two steps. First, she captures the email address.
Creative Sample #1: First step in checkout flow
The second step was the payment entry page.
Creative Sample #2: Second step in checkout flow
AFTER – Abandoned cart emails
As soon as she noticed that leads were starting checkout but not finishing, she implemented a simple email automation to follow-up with them if they abandoned cart.
She sent the first email one hour after they didn’t finish their checkout, with the following copy…
I noticed that you clicked away without finishing the checkout process for Website Kit for Coaches , my course teaching new coaches how to create their own simple website to attract their first clients.
I understand that getting your coaching business off the ground is no small task.
I want to help make the process as easy as possible for you.
That's why I created this course.
It's a short but powerful program that will help you create a website you can be proud of quickly and easily.
In just 7 snappy modules, you'll learn everything you need to know to set up a simple website to market your coaching business.
Plus, as a certified coach myself, I know exactly how to guide you through the process so you don't get stuck.
"I just used this kit and set up a new website in two days. Super easy, super thorough directions, and not so much info that it overwhelms you."
- Kim Job, Systems & Soul Stories Coach
Don't miss out on this opportunity to take the first step in your website design journey.
Click here to finish your purchase and get started today!
Always here,
Jennie Lakenan
She sent the second abandoned cart email one day after they didn’t finish checkout. Here is the email copy…
I hope you're doing well!
I noticed that you clicked away from my website without completing the checkout process for Website Kit for Coaches .
You know, my course teaching new coaches how to create their own simple website to attract their first clients.
This course will help you create a website you can be proud of quickly and easily.
Plus, as a certified coach myself, I'm here to help you every step of the way.
And because I'm so confident in the value of this course, I'm offering a satisfaction guarantee.
If you watch the entire course, ask for help in the community, and you're still not able to successfully finish your site, I'll give you your money back.
No questions asked.
Click here to finish your purchase and get started today !
All the best,
RESULTS – 93% conversion rate
The conversion rate on this abandoned cart automation is 93.1%.
Of the 28 people who have gone through this automation since she implemented it, 23 of them have bought the course.
“I highly recommend anyone with an online course, e-commerce shop, or any website payment system, frankly, set up an abandoned cart automation if your payment system allows it. Abandoned cart follow-ups are a powerful way to convert!,” said Jennie Lakenan, Website Designer and Strategist, Jennie Lakenan Web Consulting .
Quick Case Study #2: Shipping service makes one simple change to ad, reduces cost per new registration 300%
Stallion Express is a shipping company in Canada.
BEFORE: Ads that appeal to niche of top clients
The team tested a variety of ads, mainly focusing on price savings. The ads included a general figure for the average savings achieved by their top clients.
Creative Sample #3: Ad focused on top clients
The team realized that the ad did not speak to its entire audience because the figure itself – “$60,000 annual savings” – does not mean much to e-commerce sellers with different volumes and hence, different savings.
AFTER: Ad with pricing comparison that could apply to broad audience
They decided to come up with a pricing comparison ad that would be helpful to each individual seller regardless of their sales volume. Basically, an ad which appeals to a broad audience rather than niche sellers.
To appeal to their entire audience, they included concrete figures for a representative example along with some value elements.
Creative Sample #4: Ad that is more broadly applicable
RESULTS – 300% lower cost per new registration
The cost per new registration was reduced by 300% by making this one simple change. They did not make any changes to the landing page or targeting so this is purely based on the ad performance.
This simple image ad also outperformed some of their older, high-quality, cinematic video ads.
One reason the team feels this ad was successful is that their B2B audience loves to see prices and clear-cut comparisons.
“A few other reasons why Meta may have pushed this ad more than our previous ones are the game element – ‘find the difference’ is a good hook and people stuck around and engaged with the ad – and the shipment example is funny and extremely relevant to our audience (Canadian e-commerce sellers + this was published during the NHL season),” said Diana Zheng, Head of Marketing, Stallion Express .
Case Sample #3: Mazda dealership changes SEO tag strategy, gets 10x increase in sales inquiries and service bookings
Redlands Mazda is an auto dealership in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It sells new and pre-owned cars and has a 20-car service workshop.
“We were already with a digital agency that was working on our SEO but little did I know that for the money they were charging me, they actually weren't doing the things that they were supposed to do," said Peter Niebling, Dealer Principal, Redlands Mazda .
He continued, “I have heard of horror stories in the past with certain digital agencies, so trust was a concern, in regards to letting go of the old agency. After all they had access to some of our business's digital properties such as our website backend, and Google Analytics. I sell cars for a living and I wasn't sure if they could do anything to hurt the business. Luckily they didn't.”
BEFORE – Tags focused on branded search
“Redlands Mazda was really having issues ranking on page 1 of Google for their major keywords,” said Rob Whaley, Head of Growth & Digital Strategy, Project Local (Redlands Mazda’s new SEO agency).
The team conducted a sitewide SEO audit and identified some key SEO mistakes that were hurting rankings.
The site <title> tag wasn't optimized around a keyword that would actually bring in search traffic. The original site title was: ‘Redlands Mazda | Mazda Dealer Capalaba.’ This site title would help with branded searches, but as Redlands Mazda had recently undergone a rebrand, branded searches were going to be unlikely. “A better alternative was to optimize the website around a keyword such as ‘Mazda Brisbane’ which gets over 800 searches per month according to Ahrefs,” Whaley said.
Capalaba is a suburb of Brisbane. ‘Mazda Capalaba’ gets 50 searches per month.
“There were multiple uses of <h1> tags which confuses Google as to what the page is about,” Whaley said. SEO best practice is to have only one <h1> tag per page. The <h1> tag at the time the new team took over the website was <h1> Redlands Mazda </h1> and, again, wasn't optimized around a keyword that would bring traffic.
“The site <title> tag is one of the best SEO elements to optimize as it directly tells Google what the page is about. The <h1> tag is a close second and is also known as being a ‘mini’ title tag,” Whaley said.
AFTER – Tags focused on local keywords
The team changed the site title from: <title>Redlands Mazda | Mazda Dealer Capalaba</title> to <title>Redlands Mazda Brisbane | Queensland's Premier Mazda Dealer</title>.
The team also ensured they only had one <h1> tag on their homepage and changed it from <h1> Redlands Mazda </h1> to <h1> Redlands Mazda Brisbane Your Local Mazda Dealer Of New & Used Vehicles</h1>.
In fairness, the team did make some other changes as well (SEO tends to be more complex than other tactics), but the tag change stands out as a simple change anyone reading this article could make right now even with limited resources.
“Redlands Mazda was making a lot of SEO mistakes and really needed to get back to basics and increase the health of their website in Google's eyes before they could expect higher rankings,” Whaley said. “Redlands Mazda's domain rating according to Ahrefs was only 0.5.”
Other changes included:
- Images and videos were using the Http protocol instead of the more secure Https
- Many external and internal links were going to pages that no longer existed or had links removed
- The website’s overall speed was slow and needed to be optimized
- The target keyword was not mentioned on the page at all
- With a targeted outreach campaign Redlands Mazda was able to build a number of quality white hat backlinks to boost their domain rating.
RESULTS – Better search rankings
“I spend a lot on Google Ads and the PPC cost for a keyword like ‘Mazda Brisbane’ can be as high as $1.50 per click. Having organic rankings for the same keyword means I am effectively getting that traffic now for free (minus agency costs)," Niebling said.
Within four weeks, the site went from ranking as low as page six for their target keywords all the way to page one. For example, the website ranked 35 th for ‘Brisbane Mazda dealers’ and now ranks fourth.
Organic traffic increased from 1,000 organic visitors per month to 5,000. Service bookings increased at least 10 times, and the number of leads and sales inquiries also increased by roughly the same margin of 10 times what they were originally getting.
Asked what he learned from the experience regarding agency management, Niebling said, “In hindsight, I would ask more questions about what their strategy is, which keywords they are targeting, and what they are doing each month to achieve the said targets and KPIs.”
Related Resources
3 case studies of marketers that made a positive change in customers’ lives (while getting results for their business)
Viral Marketing: 7 quick case studies to help you get word-of-mouth and organic attention for your brand
Win The Competition For Attention: 3 quick marketing case studies with tips
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- Carl Kreitzberg
Leading Change in Talent at L'Oreal
- Lakshmi Ramarajan
- Vincent Dessain
- Emer Moloney
- William W. George
- Andrew N. McLean
Eve Hall: The African American Investment Fund in Milwaukee
- Steven S. Rogers
- Alterrell Mills
United Housing - Otis Gates
- Mercer Cook
The Home Depot: Leadership in Crisis Management
- Herman B. Leonard
- Marc J. Epstein
- Melissa Tritter
The Great East Japan Earthquake (B): Fast Retailing Group's Response
- Hirotaka Takeuchi
- Kenichi Nonomura
- Dena Neuenschwander
- Meghan Ricci
- Kate Schoch
- Sergey Vartanov
Insurer of Last Resort?: The Federal Financial Response to September 11
- David A. Moss
- Sarah Brennan
Under Armour
- Rory McDonald
- Clayton M. Christensen
- Daniel West
- Jonathan E. Palmer
- Tonia Junker
Hunley, Inc.: Casting for Growth
- John A. Quelch
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Bitfury: Blockchain for Government
- Mitchell B. Weiss
Deutsche Bank: Pursuing Blockchain Opportunities (A)
- Lynda M. Applegate
- Christoph Muller-Bloch
Maersk: Betting on Blockchain
- Scott Johnson
Yum! Brands
- Jordan Siegel
- Christopher Poliquin
Bharti Airtel in Africa
- Tanya Bijlani
Li & Fung 2012
- F. Warren McFarlan
- Michael Shih-ta Chen
- Keith Chi-ho Wong
Sony and the JK Wedding Dance
- John Deighton
- Leora Kornfeld
United Breaks Guitars
David dao on united airlines.
- Benjamin Edelman
- Jenny Sanford
Marketing Reading: Digital Marketing
- Joseph Davin
Social Strategy at Nike
- Mikolaj Jan Piskorski
- Ryan Johnson
The Tate's Digital Transformation
Social strategy at american express, mellon financial and the bank of new york.
- Carliss Y. Baldwin
- Ryan D. Taliaferro
The Walt Disney Company and Pixar, Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire?
- Juan Alcacer
- David J. Collis
Dow's Bid for Rohm and Haas
- Benjamin C. Esty
Finance Reading: The Mergers and Acquisitions Process
- John Coates
Apple: Privacy vs. Safety? (A)
- Henry W. McGee
- Nien-he Hsieh
- Sarah McAra
Sidewalk Labs: Privacy in a City Built from the Internet Up
- Leslie K. John
Data Breach at Equifax
- Suraj Srinivasan
- Quinn Pitcher
- Jonah S. Goldberg
Apple's Core
- Noam Wasserman
Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple
- Barbara Feinberg
Apple Inc. in 2012
- Penelope Rossano
Iz-Lynn Chan at Far East Organization (Abridged)
- Anthony J. Mayo
- Dana M. Teppert
Barbara Norris: Leading Change in the General Surgery Unit
- Nitin Nohria
- Deborah Bell
Adobe Systems: Working Towards a "Suite" Release (A)
- David A. Thomas
- Lauren Barley
Home Nursing of North Carolina
Castronics, llc, gemini investors, angie's list: ratings pioneer turns 20.
- Robert J. Dolan
Basecamp: Pricing
- Frank V. Cespedes
- Robb Fitzsimmons
J.C. Penney's "Fair and Square" Pricing Strategy
J.c. penney's 'fair and square' strategy (c): back to the future.
- Jose B. Alvarez
Osaro: Picking the best path
- James Palano
- Bastiane Huang
HubSpot and Motion AI: Chatbot-Enabled CRM
- Thomas Steenburgh
GROW: Using Artificial Intelligence to Screen Human Intelligence
- Ethan S. Bernstein
- Paul D. McKinnon
- Paul Yarabe
GitLab and the Future of All-Remote Work (A)
- Prithwiraj Choudhury
- Emma Salomon
TCS: From Physical Offices to Borderless Work
Creating a virtual internship at goldman sachs.
- Iavor Bojinov
- Jan W. Rivkin
Starbucks Coffee Company: Transformation and Renewal
- Nancy F. Koehn
- Kelly McNamara
- Nora N. Khan
- Elizabeth Legris
JCPenney: Back in Business
- K. Shelette Stewart
- Christine Snively
Arup: Building the Water Cube
- Robert G. Eccles
- Amy C. Edmondson
- Dilyana Karadzhova
(Re)Building a Global Team: Tariq Khan at Tek
Managing a global team: greg james at sun microsystems, inc. (a).
- Thomas J. DeLong
Organizational Behavior Reading: Leading Global Teams
Ron ventura at mitchell memorial hospital.
- Heide Abelli
Anthony Starks at InSiL Therapeutics (A)
- Gary P. Pisano
- Vicki L. Sato
Wolfgang Keller at Konigsbrau-TAK (A)
- John J. Gabarro
The 2010 Chilean Mining Rescue (A)
- Faaiza Rashid
IDEO: Human-Centered Service Design
- Ryan W. Buell
- Andrew Otazo
- Benjamin Jones
- Alexis Brownell
Midland Energy Resources, Inc.: Cost of Capital
- Timothy A. Luehrman
- Joel L. Heilprin
Globalizing the Cost of Capital and Capital Budgeting at AES
- Mihir A. Desai
- Doug Schillinger
Cost of Capital at Ameritrade
- Mark Mitchell
- Erik Stafford
Finance Reading: Cost of Capital
Circles: series d financing.
- Paul W. Marshall
- Kristin J. Lieb
- William A. Sahlman
- Michael J. Roberts
Andreessen Horowitz
- Thomas R. Eisenmann
Entrepreneurship Reading: Partnering with Venture Capitalists
- Jeffrey J. Bussgang
David Neeleman: Flight Path of a Servant Leader (A)
- Matthew D. Breitfelder
Coach Hurley at St. Anthony High School
- Scott A. Snook
- Bradley C. Lawrence
Shapiro Global
- Michael Brookshire
- Monica Haugen
- Michelle Kravetz
- Sarah Sommer
Kathryn McNeil (A)
- Joseph L. Badaracco Jr.
- Jerry Useem
Carol Fishman Cohen: Professional Career Reentry (A)
- Myra M. Hart
- Robin J. Ely
- Susan Wojewoda
Alex Montana at ESH Manufacturing Co.
- Michael Kernish
Michelle Levene (A)
- Tiziana Casciaro
- Victoria W. Winston
John and Andrea Rice: Entrepreneurship and Life
- Howard H. Stevenson
- Janet Kraus
- Shirley M. Spence
Partner Center
100+ Case Study Examples for Sales and Marketing
Browse through a wide range of case study templates from various industries.
Imagine you come home after a long, tiring week of work, and you decide to satiate your taste buds by ordering a delicious, exotic dish. What would be your further course of action? Let us guess - you pull out your phone, log in to your favourite on-demand food delivery platform, search for the dish you're looking for, and hit the order button. Oh, wait! We missed out a crucial action that most of us perform while ordering a palate from a new food outlet – Rating & reviews!
The first instinct that each one of us has when we subscribe to a new product or service is to get validation or proof from others.
In this post, we talk about one such crucial marketing collateral that provides proof to your prospects – Case Studies.
What is a Case Study?
Case studies are an indispensable tool for providing proof of quality and utility. They help demonstrate exactly what you have done to help other customers or clients attain their goals. They're sure to draw potential clients because they establish the factor of faith in the ability of your products or services.
To some, case studies may seem dull and boring, but it remains an integral part of a content marketing strategy for almost every B2B company. A content marketing report states that 70% of B2B marketers believe case studies are an effective tool for the content marketing mix.
How long should your case study be?
If you type this query into the Google search bar, the answer that pops up on your screen is 500 to 1500 words. Although this is fairly ideal, it is important to note that there is no hard and fast rule for the word limit of a case study. Like everything else in Marketing, the answer is - it depends.
Depends on various factors like the industry you’re writing the case study for, the narrative you’re building, the audience you’ll cater to and the like.
Case studies are primarily built to generate an in-depth understanding of why exactly prospects should choose your product. In today’s world, where all content consumers have an attention span of roughly 7 seconds (if not lesser) - getting them to read a case study that’s nothing less than 500 words requires skill, to say the least.
The length of a case study depends on the following factors :
Target audience
Identifying the target audience for your case study is the first and foremost step of the writing process. Who will be reading this case study and how do you tailor it to fit their flow of reading? It’s no big secret that everyone’s attention span varies. (We hear you. Do people even have an attention span these days?)
Thanks to the myriad of visual content available in abundance, going through a 50-word post, let alone a 500-word case study, might be an arduous task for most people. However, this massively depends on the target audience and the industry your client belongs to.
Case studies provide deep insight into your product/service and give potential customers one, if not more, solid reasons to get onboard.
Formulating your case study based on these parameters will result in the best outcomes.
For example, if your product caters directly to the general public (B2C) , then your case studies have to be short, precise and to the point. It has to provide just the right amount of information to put forth about your company, the services you offer, its features and benefits. Hence, these case studies can be anywhere between 100-300 words.
On the other hand, formulating a case study for a B2B audience will require more detailed insights, examples, solution-oriented steps, and overall contain highly compelling research. This is solely because the individuals reading our case studies will be established business professionals looking to invest a good amount in your product . These case studies can extend up to 1500 words .
Purpose of the case study
The second factor/question to keep in mind is, “Why are we writing this case study?”. Here we cannot help but think of the famous quote - “You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”
It’s safe to say that this quote is applicable to almost every situation in life. Especially while selling a product. Or, attempting to do so. In this stage, you need to take into consideration 3 very important factors :
At which point of the sales process are we sending out this case study?
For starters, case study content changes according to the various points of the sales process it is being sent out during. The content required for a case study at the beginning of the sales process differs from the content required for a case study when the deal is about to be closed.
Case studies sent out at the beginning of the sales process focus on the following :
- Recognition of your company/brand
- An insight into your company & what you do
- A generic overview of what your product offers
Hence, these case studies can range anywhere from 300-500 words.
Case studies sent out at the end of the sales process focus on the following :
- Presenting a precise problem faced by a client
- Presenting how your company provided a solution for the same
- The process
- Use-case specific insights
Hence, the sky’s the (word) limit with these case studies. The length that narrates to your prospect that your company is the best solution is the length you stop at.
What do we want our readers to take away from this case study?
The length of your case study also majorly depends on the point you want to put forth in your case study. Are you trying to simply establish brand identity? Are you talking about a new campaign run by your company? Or is it a case study showcasing the work you did for a specific client?
What medium are we sending the case study via?
The medium through which your case study is being sent is a key point while determining the length of your case study.
Let us throw in a quick example here. We are in the midst of our relentless online shopping phase and our package has finally arrived. Obviously, we can’t wait to go through the contents of the package (Because which order even is this?) - Doesn’t it make the unpacking process much easier when the packaging is precise and easy to open? Who wants loads of duct tape and clunky wrapping? It instantly puts us off, and we might even decide to open it later. Similarly, the medium via which you send your case study and the presentation of it matters a lot.
Here are some of the methods through which you can send your case study :
A good ol’ fashioned e-mail
“I’ll send across an email” is a phrase most of us have probably used more than our names. And, that’s fine.
Sending your case studies and other documents through email has unmistakably been the go-to method for the longest time. Even so, sending your documents and case studies via email have its pros and cons.
If you include a number of attachments, your prospects might have a hard time going back and forth between the document and email to open it up. The best option, in this case, is to include a single case study and make it crisp & concise in order to avoid shuffling between tabs. So, we’d say a single case study, about 500 words.
A personalized storyboard
Personalized. Pretty. Extremely easy to go through. Nothing against emails, but imagine sending your case studies in a personalized collection that is exclusive to your reader, gives them a binge-worthy experience with your case studies, enables them to pick up exactly where they left off and much more.
With a presentation like this, we’re sure the length of your case study isn’t going to stop readers from going through the contents of your case study.
Types of Case Studies
Case studies can be broadly classified into the following categories:
1. Third-Person Case Studies
An external agency primarily publishes this type of case study. This external research & consulting firm validates the solution provided by your company to your customers and publishes the same on its website.
2. Explanatory Case Studies
Explanatory case studies are primarily descriptive studies. They typically use one or two instances of a phenomenon or event to show the existing solution. Explanatory case studies primarily exist to familiarize the unfamiliar situation to prospects and give them a brief overview of the subject.
3. Instrumental Case Study
To gain insight into a phenomenon, an instrumental case study is deployed. The focus of this type of case study is not on the results but on the phenomenon. It tries to make the prospects discern the relationship between the phenomenon and its solution.
4. Implementation Case Study
This is perhaps the most important type of case study for a content marketer. It encompasses how your business went about executing the solution of a customer's challenge.
Case studies are the best example of marketing collateral used during the consideration stage and are used to showcase the success stories of your company. They can be written as single-page or multi-page documents.
Steps to writing a case study solution
Crafting the headline.
Headlines are the hellos in the world of writing. Just as a simple hello can help gain surface-level insight into a person, a headline establishes just that about a piece of written content.
The first step to drafting a case study is also to pick a suitable headline.
The headline of a case study has to include the following elements :
- The name of the company
- The use case
- The results
- Quantitative data (all about the numbers)
Let’s go with a fictional take on this -
Let’s say you have a company, “Mattleberg Associates."
Mattleberg Associates offer consultative tools and guidance to understand, buy and adopt marketing technology tools for an enterprise. If Mattleberg Associates is to write a case study on how their product benefited a client of theirs, Acme Corporation , and upped their sales turnover by 70% ,
This is how the case study should ideally be titled :
Acme Corp’s Sales Turnover Increased by 70% - Meet the Mattleberg MarTech Tool that made it possible.
By glancing at this case study title, the reader gets an insight into the company (Mattleberg), the client (Acme Corp), the use case (Increasing sales turnover), the industry (Sales and Marketing) and the outcome (A 70% increase).
Highlighting the challenge/situation
In this part of the case study, the problem is made aware to the reader. This is where we let the reader know that “Hey, there was a grave situation taking place, and this is how it played out.”.
In this part, you have to mention :
- The challenge that was present
- The root cause of the problem
- Statistics about the same
Arriving at the solution
This part of your case study has to be your company’s stellar introduction.
In this part of the case study, you will include :
- How the client arrived at your company
- The process of how the client fixed on your company (yay!)
- The executives involved in the process
Behold! The results
Quantitative results .
This indicates the end of the case study. This is the part you indicate that Happily Ever After was made possible. Here is where you include all of the magical numbers that were a result of your company’s product/service, the remarkable results of the process and the outcome.
Qualitative results
Remember when Spotify allowed 6500 of their employees to work from anywhere in the world?
Now, fast forward to a year later; Spotify has released a statement saying their turnover rate dropped and they’re doing great!
Here’s another example of how a qualitative result approach can be included in your case studies. This is the tie between quantitative and qualitative results. They go hand in hand.
Tying this back to the topic, while writing a case study and mentioning the end results, it is important to also mention how the process eased the lives of the team, resulting in joy in the workplace and so on. This, in return, can directly result in quantitative results. :)
Best Practices to implement while writing a Case Study
More often than not, content marketers find it a herculean task to create a case study that is intriguing for their prospects. Here are 5 easy tips to make your case studies less boring, and more engaging.
1. Incorporate visuals in your case study
Multimedia can make your case studies more engaging and provide you with a means to connect with auditory and visual learners. Here are two ways in which you can incorporate multimedia in your case study:
- Include pictures, charts, and infographics to interpret a story out of the content-heavy data.
- Incorporate videos in your case studies and use them throughout your integrated marketing communication.
2. Prioritize firsthand knowledge over second-hand evidence
Case studies are stories. And stories can be narrated aptly only when you get real firsthand insights from the customer. Hence, to write a good case study, all you need is an excellent customer interview. Refrain from writing case studies based on resources such as testimonial quotes, videos, email, and so on.
It will only make your case studies time-consuming and difficult (or dare we say boring?).
3. Use slide-in call-to-action in lieu of pop-ups
Huge pop-ups can be annoying to the readers. Hence, marketers should try to use slide-in call-to-action that does the same job without distracting your prospects.
4. Don't be keen on listing the problem statement/challenge
Get into the shoes of your prospects while writing the challenge section. Most businesses often commit the mistake of writing the problem of a case study that caters to a narrow audience. To effectively hook a broader target audience , you should address the problem by considering the perspective of different prospects and write a detailed and compelling challenge . Your case study's first sentence should always address a broad business issue, and provide the reader with context.
5. Improve the tone of the customer quotes
Being a case study writer, you should not be transfixed on strictly reproducing all the customer quotes as it is - that is what a reporter does. As a case study writer, you should embellish the customer quotes in a way that makes their point effective. However, the altered quote should not drift away from the actual customer quote and should live up to the spirit of the customer's statement.
Examples of Case Studies
Here is a list of the finest examples of case studies across each sector with our commentary on a handpicked few to further ease your process of writing a case study.
To give you a holistic understanding of different types of case studies, we have collated the best templates from each industry.
- Aviation and Defense
- Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)
- Energy & Utility
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Manufacturing
- Technology and Services
- Telecommunications
Best Case Study Examples for Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the Aviation, Aerospace and Defence sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. Electromagnetic Solutions | Leonardo
Type of case study : Explanatory
Leonardo, first, defined their electromagnetic solutions and then furnished an explanatory case study to further enlighten their target audience to the solution they offer. They provided their prospects with a lucid explanation of the phenomenon with their solution in this case study.
2. Indira Gandhi International Airport | Collins Aerospace
Type of case study: Implementation
This case study is one of the best templates you will find in the aviation & defence sector. Two reasons make it exceptional. First, Collins has tailored the case study in a way that it can collaborate with direct marketing efforts . The case study is brief, yet gives a clear explanation of how it went about executing the solution. Also, the testimonial Collins took from Delhi International Airport Ltd., explained in a nutshell, the outstanding results they produced.
Best Case Study Examples for BFSI Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the BFSI sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. Implementing a Complete Target-Date Fund Solution | JPMorgan Chase
Type of case study: Explanatory
Writing a case study in the sector of financial services is tricky, to say the least. If you are looking to benchmark a case study, this should undoubtedly be the one. JPMorgan deep-dived to explain the needs of the client and listed out the top investment priorities. After that, the cast study introduced the unique solution offered to give their prospects a gist of the same.
2. Global Inventory Management | Broadridge
Broadridge created a stellar case study by incorporating a testimonial, visuals, and an elaborate solution together. The cast study went one step ahead by talking about how it will utilize this opportunity to build Broadridge's future solutions.
Best Case Study Examples for Energy & utilites Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the Energy & Utilities sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. Creating Value through Technology and Innovation | Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL)
Type of case study: Instrumental
This case study focuses more on the different technologies offered by CNRL. What makes this case study unique is that the brand has included various collaborations for each technology and clearly demarcated the status of each technique. The usage of visuals and quantifiable results is spot on!
2. City of Monterey Park | Engie
Engie has produced a phenomenal template for a case study in the energy sector. Prospects could better relate to this kind of a case study because it includes multiple testimonials alongside the images of the solution which can serve as the best catalyst for prospects in the consideration stage of the buyer journey.
Best Case Study Examples for Healthcare & Life Sciences Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the Healthcare and Life-sciences sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. BD Vacutainer | Becton Dickinson and Company
BD did a fantastic job of quantifying its success in solid numbers. They have incorporated the same in their headline to make it a worthy read for a prospect. Furthermore, they included a separate "results" section which listed out the benefits and illustrated the same using a bar graph. These best practices help a prospect digest text-heavy content easily.
2. Helping Biopharma Companies Unravel the Many Facets of the Oncology Market | McKesson Corporation
This template is an excellent example of an instrumental case study in the healthcare sector. McKesson takes the onus on them to educate the healthcare industry on the oncology market. It provides vital insights into how the biopharma industry can leverage McKesson's resources and excel in oncology.
Best Case Study Examples for Logistics Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the Logistics sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. Inventory Optimization Case Study | Neovia Logistics
Type of case study: Third-Person
This case study serves as a great template of collaboration with other organizations to deliver a customized solution for your customer. Neovia Logistics and SAP Service Parts Planning worked in unison to provide a top-notch solution for inventory management. This template makes a brilliant usage of coloured theme and an engaging dashboard to display the results lucidly.
2. Building a better distribution model to accommodate rapid growth | FedEx Corporation
FedEx adopts a customer-centric approach in this case study and explains the challenges faced by the customer in detail. It elaborately explains how the problems of temperature-sensitive products of the clients were dealt with. This type of case study can prove to be very useful as a marketing communication for a client dealing in a similar sector.
Best Case Study Examples for Manufacturing Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the Manufacturing sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. Twilight River Cruises | Mitsubishi Electric
The testimonial and the embedded hyperlinks (that redirects to their product range) make this case study stand apart from others. Mitsubishi Electric has ensured that the client furnishes a well-crafted testimonial that makes the prospects acquire faith in their prowess.
2. Danfoss' Digital Journey and Strategic Approach to MES | Siemens
This is, by far, the best template we have discovered in the manufacturing sector. It ticks all the boxes for writing a stellar case study – slide-in CTAs (call-to-action), integration with social media, an excellent testimonial, captivating visuals, and a consistent theme. You do not want to miss this out!
Best Case Study Examples for Technology & Services Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the Technology & Services sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. FreshDesk - Case Study | Chargebee
The best thing about this case study is that Chargebee incorporated testimonials from different departments and individuals. The case study uses crisp headlines and explains the challenge in detail before jumping the gun to mention the results.
2. Aspire Systems Provides Data Integration Services | Aspire Systems
For a technical product/software, it is important to know where to use technical keywords and where to use plain, simple language. Aspire Systems did a fantastic job of creating different sections for a summary (in plain language) and a tech snapshot (where they mention the suite of data management products). It also included an image of the system architecture to educate their prospects on the process and solutions.
Best Case Study Examples for Telecommunications Sector
While there are over 10+ example case studies that have been handpicked for the Telecommunications sector, we are highlighting only about 2 of them for a quick reference on why it works and most importantly, we like them.
1. Managed Network Services | Telkomtelstra
Incorporating video testimonials in the case study is one of the best practices to be followed to create a compelling case study; and, Telkomtelstra has done that precisely. The practice of integrating social media in your overall content marketing strategy never fails to fetch you brownie points!
2. Supporting the community with a mobilized workforce | Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers Communications has adopted the strategy of assigning a dedicated page for case studies. It has also integrated social media and slide-in CTAs buttons, in this case study, for enhanced engagement. A unique practice that Rogers embraced in this case study was to mention the details of the current services with that particular client. You may want to consider this strategy while writing your upcoming case study!
Strategies to leverage the power of Case Studies
On the same lines, let us now deep-dive into how content marketers can leverage the power of case studies to their full potential. Mentioned below are some of the strategies you can use to incorporate case studies into your organization's overall integrated marketing communications strategy.
1. Highlight the case studies on a dedicated page
When B2B customers search online for your goods and services, they will search for your company's websites as well as your rivals' websites. So make sure the case studies on your website are easy to find. Refrain from categorizing them in the section of "downloads" or "resources" list, or hiding them so profoundly that visitors need to find them on your search facility.
Offer multiple paths that will lead them directly to the stories of customers that most interest them. Feature your homepage with a recent case study. Ask your webmaster to set up a display that will generate a different case study each time the visitor clicks on a new page or returns to a given page.
Be sure to provide a link where more case studies can be found by the visitor, in case the story does not match the interests of the visitor.
2. Include case studies in white papers
Do you have a case study showing how a client used your product or service to solve a widespread problem in the industry? If so, you have the building blocks for an effective white paper . Case studies and effective white papers share the same basic structure: challenge/solution.
You will need to develop the problem section further, examine previous solutions and why they are not working, and present your solution as part of a generic class.
However, once you have described your solution, you can introduce your particular product by means of an abbreviated version of your case study.
3. Include case studies in press releases
The company press releases are the perfect platform to share customer stories with prospects, customers, partners, and employees. The case studies in your prospect press releases allow you to highlight your solutions and the different verticals that you represent.
This helps to develop trust over time. In addition, case studies are great for keeping partners informed about how customers use your solutions. You'll support their sales efforts by providing customers with new ideas that they can present. You'll also keep them excited about your partnership, as well as about your products and services.
4. Collaborate your direct marketing efforts with case studies
Many of the most popular all-time direct mail promotions start with a story. Stories are enthralling. They promise entertainment and news. Of course, they gain our attention. Hence, a well-written case study for a newsletter or a direct mail campaign can be an excellent lead material.
Moreover, with a lead drawn from a recent case study, you'll not only get the attention of your prospects right away but also establish credibility with a real-world illustration of what your company has done for others already.
5. Consolidate your SEO strategy with case studies
Case studies can be among the best content types to attract attention from search engines. Phrases of keywords are the SEO currency . And if well-written, it is most likely that your case studies will include several instances of keywords and phrases relevant to the product or service they feature.
Make sure you incorporate the links and meta tags to boost the search engine rankings. Google attaches great importance to links, so be sure to link back to your case studies from press releases, blog posts, and discussion forums that refer to them. Encourage your clients to link your website to their success stories.
Even meta tags can improve your search rankings. Ensure that the title and description tags are used well by including your target keywords in them.
6. Collaborate your case studies with your social media marketing strategy
Social media provides a range of platforms to distribute case studies to your target audience. You can post a link to your latest case studies on Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms. Forums are another excellent platform way to promote your customer success.
Trade associations and LinkedIn Groups provide thousands of tightly focused discussions across the entire spectrum of interests in the industry. And most of these forums will let you post links, making it easy to reach specific audiences.
Case studies are vital building blocks for your brand’s social currency. With the right balance between data and a compelling narrative, case studies go a long way in positioning your brand as the ideal choice in the minds of your prospects.
So before you rule out this collateral as mundane and boring, ask yourself again - would you order from a restaurant that is not backed by good reviews and ratings?
Other interesting blogs that might help bolster your content marketing strategy:
100+ Best Examples of Press Release Templates
100+ Brochure Examples for Sales and Marketing
100+ Testimonial Examples for Sales and Marketing
The Best White Paper Examples for B2B Marketers
- Case Study Templates
- Case Studies
- Marketing Collateral
- Content Marketing
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How to Write a Marketing Case Study (With Examples)
Learn exactly what a marketing case study is, how to write one that stands out, and review some examples of existing, successful studies.
As any big brand like MailChimp, Spotify and IMB will tell you, case studies are a huge part of solidifying your brand as thought leaders.
A case study is a win: you share the success of a customer as a result of your company’s actions. At SimpleTexting we call them our Success Stories , but no matter the name, the structure is the same — how company A worked with B to achieve XYZ.
In this article we’ll cover everything from the basics to real-life examples.What exactly is a marketing case study, what constitutes a good one, and most importantly, how do you build one?
Let’s get started.
What is a Marketing Case Study?
According to Curata , “a case study in the context of marketing is an analysis of a project, campaign or company that identifies a situation, recommended solutions, implementation actions, and identification of those factors that contributed to failure or success.”
Sure, it’s a bit wordy, but at its core marketing case studies share information with prospective customers or clients about how your product offered a solution.
It doesn’t need to be dry reading. It doesn’t even need to be a report (although it can be). The key with a case study is that it should read like a story—only the beginning, middle, and end are all replicable business takeaways.
Case studies are for businesses of all sizes. They can be just as effective for small and medium-sized businesses as they are for enterprise businesses. Here’s why you should be investing time in building case studies.
Why Write a Marketing Case Study?
Before we dive into the instructions, let’s take a second to explore why a business would invest the time and effort into writing a case study. After all, why share your big marketing secrets with the world, what do you get out of the deal?
Simply put, you get the chance to share your story. Case studies, after all, are just stories showcasing your products and methods. They make for pretty spectacular advertising because, to a reader, it doesn’t feel like they’re being marketed to.
92% of customers prefer that media messages sound like a story. By using case studies you’re appealing to the logical, casual consumer who wants to know the “who, what, where, when, and why” that drives them to buy without any of the extra fuss. Case studies are the perfect medium to package it all.
How to Write a Marketing Case Study
As mentioned, every good case study maintains one singular focus: how one company used another to achieve its goal(s). This means most marketing case studies tend to take on an easily understandable problem-solution structure.
Let’s take a look at what you need to create a successful case study.
Components of a Marketing Case Study
Using the ingredients above, assemble them in this order to create a basic marketing case study:
- Write a title : Don’t worry about spoiling the ending. With case studies you want your title to let readers know right away how a campaign ended. A case study title should include the name of the company or brand being examined, if their campaign went well or poorly for them and a solid metric that demonstrates exactly how well or how poorly they performed. For example: “ SimpleTexting Cut Down Product Onboarding Process by 30% Through Video Instruction. “
- Introduce the subject: Every marketing case study should open with a brief historical overview of the company. What have they struggled with in the past that led to them developing this campaign? Who is their target audience, what do they sell? Even if your subject is obscure, you want to build a sense of relatability to your readers: so be sure to structure from general to specific. After all, you want readers outside just your industry to take away value.
- Identify your subject’s problems : Avoid leaving your readers feeling underwhelmed by presenting your subject’s problems early on in your case study. What are they trying to build, fix, or change? These problems are what will ultimately establish the subject’s goal, a one or two-sentence overview of the outcomes they’d like to see.
- Spell out your strategies and tactics : The real meat to your case study occurs here. This portion of your study is where you describe what actions you specifically took to try and reach your goals: What did you expect to happen when you tried “X, Y, and Z”? Your case study can write this all out in paragraph form if you want it to read with some fluidity, or you can simply bullet out your strategies below each goal. Examples of good strategies for a common marketing pain point, such as building a social media following, include: connecting with influencers, developing original creative content, and developing paid advertising parameters.
- Share your results with visuals : At this point, you’ll want to follow up with the preview you set in your title and share with readers how things went. If you saw success, how much and where? If you didn’t were you able to pinpoint where things went wrong? Spare no detail as you write out what worked and what didn’t, and be sure to provide replicable detail (it may be what inspires your reader to become a customer!). Some common metrics commonly found in case studies include: web analytics and traffic, backlinks generated, keyword rankings, shares or other social interactions. Graphics like charts, bolded quotes, and graphs are good opportunities to visually demonstrate your data.
- Wrap it up with a conclusion : Know the difference between reemphasizing and repeating. When writing a conclusion you shouldn’t sound like an echo, repeating exactly what you said in your introduction. Instead, you want to draw emphasis back to your key points and call your readers to action. Let them know what they can do right now to get connected and see this same success (or avoid its failure). If you’re writing a case study for marketing purposes, this is where you sell yourself and your product.
Marketing Case Study Examples
You’ve certainly heard enough from us to this point. Now it’s time to see what all of these tips and tricks look like in action. `
A plethora of marketing case study examples are out there, each one with a different objective: educational, sales-driven, industry leadership, and more.
To give you a well-rounded picture, we’ll share some of our favorite marketing case studies with you so you can see it all in action for yourself.
1. Surf Live Saving Foundation
The Surf Life Saving Foundation rolled out an innovative new framework for their brand known as the surf lottery. Despite the size of the initiative they were able to break down their process on a share of voice campaign with a great deal of clarity. Why we like this case study : It provides actionable and replicable examples of how their objectives were received.
2. StyleHaul & Asana
Organizational application Asana also finds itself in a competition-heavy environment. They are one of many SaaS productivity programs available. They needed to give their brand more of a voice to edge out against competitors offering near-identical products. The problem that needed solving in this success story is relatable to businesses all around the world, and ASANA’s use of it is a showcase of why they’re leaders in what they do.
Why we like this case study : It’s storytelling at its finest and perfectly demonstrates the subtle advertising concept.
3. Red Sox and CTP
This is a great example of a marketing agency showcasing its history of work with a high-profile client (the Boston Red Sox). It explores their entire body of work on a dynamic landing page. Why we like this case study : It demonstrates what a multi-media approach to a digital case study should strive to be.
4. SimpleTexting & U.S. Hunger
We couldn’t talk the talk without walking the walk. We have a range of varied case studies on our Success Stories page, but one of our absolute favorites is the results from U.S. Hunger.
U.S. Hunger was looking for a way to reach those who need them most – including those without internet access.
Why we like this case study: Not only does it highlight the incredible work of U.S. Hunger, it also shows how much can be accomplished through SMS. It spins a new light on SMS marketing and shows the wider impact of accessible communication.
Marketing Case Studies are Key to Brand Trust
As a business looking to grow, you need to prove to prospective customers and clients why they should invest in you. Whether it’s a service or a product, case studies are viable ways of showing that what you do works and discussing how you achieved it.
The most impactful case studies aren’t always the ones with big names attached to them. They’re the best stories, the best solutions, and the ones that the most people can relate to.
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Meghan Tocci
Meghan Tocci is a content strategist at SimpleTexting. When she’s not writing about SaaS, she’s trying to teach her puppy Lou how to code. So far, not so good.
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Marketing case study 101 (plus tips, examples, and templates)
Summary/Overview
If you’re familiar with content lines like, “See how our fancy new app saved Sarah 10 hours a week doing payroll,” you’ve encountered a marketing case study. That’s because case studies are one of the most powerful marketing tools, showcasing real-world applications and customer success stories that help build trust with potential customers.
More than 42% of marketers use case studies in their marketing strategy. Let’s face it — we love testimonials and reviews. People love hearing customer stories and experiences firsthand. In fact, 88% of consumers view reviews before making a purchase decision. Case studies work similarly by providing prospective customers with real-life stories demonstrating the brand’s success.
Case studies provide a more in-depth view of how your product solves an existing problem — something potential buyers can relate to and learn from.
In this article, we take a closer look at what marketing case studies are, why they’re important, and how you can use them to improve your content marketing efforts. You’ll also learn the key elements of a successful case study and how to turn a good case study into a great case study.
What is a marketing case study?
A case study is a narrative that documents a real-world situation or example. A marketing case study is a detailed examination and analysis of a specific strategy, initiative, or marketing campaign that a business has implemented. It’s intended to serve as an all-inclusive narrative that documents a real-world business situation and its outcome.
Marketing case studies are tools businesses use to showcase the effectiveness of a particular tool, technique, or service by using a real-world example. Companies often use case studies as sales collateral on websites, email marketing, social media , and other marketing materials. They provide readers with a firsthand look into how your product or service has helped someone else and demonstrate the value of your offering while building trust with potential customers.
Some common key components of a marketing case study include:
- Context: A case study begins by describing the business’s situation or problem. This often includes challenges, opportunities, or objectives.
- Strategy: An outline of the tactics or strategy utilized to address the business’s situation. This includes details such as the target audience, messaging, channels used, and other unique aspects of the approach.
- Implementation: Provide information about how the strategy was implemented, including timeline, resources, and budget.
- Results: This is arguably the most crucial part of a marketing case study. Present the results through data, metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to demonstrate the impact of the strategy. The results section should highlight both qualitative and quantitative data.
- Challenges and Solutions: A great case study not only focuses on the successes but addresses any obstacles faced during the campaign. Make sure to address any challenges and how they were overcome or mitigated.
- Customer Feedback: Including testimonials or quotes from satisfied clients is a great way to add credibility and authenticity to a case study. Choose customer feedback that reinforces the positive outcomes of the strategy taken.
- Visuals: Compelling case studies include visuals such as graphs, charts, images, videos, and infographics to make the information presented more engaging and easier to understand.
- Analysis: An optional way to conclude a case study includes discussing key takeaways, insights, and lessons learned from a campaign.
Case studies can help you connect your product to the customer’s needs by providing a real world examples of success and encouraging conversions.
Benefits of marketing case studies
Some of the key benefits of using case studies in your marketing efforts include the following:
- Building trust and credibility. You build trust and credibility with potential clients or customers by demonstrating real world success stories. In-depth looks at how your products or services have helped other businesses or people achieve success can increase customer loyalty and encourage repeat business.
- Learn best practices. Learn from strategies employed in successful case studies and apply similar approaches to future campaigns.
- Enhancing sales and conversions. By highlighting the real world results your products or services have delivered, case studies can be a powerful tool for boosting sales. They can help demonstrate the value of your offering and persuade your target audience to make a purchase.
- Explain how your business generates results. Case studies are a compelling way to share key takeaways with your target audience and showcase your brand.
- Use them as content marketing material. Use case studies as content for marketing purposes on websites, social media, and beyond.
Case studies can help your business stand out and achieve success. By highlighting the real world results you’ve delivered, you can use case studies to boost sales, build customer loyalty, and compellingly showcase your business.
Tips on how to write an effective marketing case study
Are you ready to write a compelling case study? Get started with these tips.
Develop a clear and compelling headline
You have about 10 seconds to communicate your value proposition to keep customer attention. Whether you’re designing a new landing page or making a long-term plan for your brand’s content marketing strategy , the headline is the most crucial part.
A compelling title should capture readers’ attention and make them want to read more. To craft a compelling headline:
- Understand your audience: Before crafting a headline, ensure you know your target audience — what are their pain points, interests, and needs?
- Highlight the most significant result: Focus on the most impactful result achieved in the case study. What was the primary outcome of the strategy implemented?
- Keep it brief: Keep your headline concise and to the point. Try to keep your headline under 12 words.
- Use action words: Incorporate action verbs such as “achieved,” “transformed,” or “boosted” to convey a sense of accomplishment.
- Include data: Numbers make your headline more credible. For example, if the case study achieved a 75% increase in sales, include that in the headline.
- Emphasize benefits: Focus on the positive changes or advantages the implemented strategy brought to the client or business. Use these as selling points in your headline.
- Make it unique and memorable: Avoid generic phrases to make your headline stand out from the competition.
- Use keywords wisely: Incorporate relevant keywords that align with the case study and your target audience’s search interest to improve search engine visibility through search engine optimization (SEO).
- Consider subheadings: If you cannot fit all the necessary information in a headline, consider adding a subheading to provide additional context or details.
Here are some examples of clear and convincing case study headlines:
- “Achieving a 150% ROI: How [XYZ] Strategy Transformed a Startup”
- “How Optimized SEO Tactics Skyrocketed Sales by 80%”
- “Mastering Social Media: How [ABC] Brand Increased Engagement by 50%”
- “The Power of Personalization: How Tailored Content Quadrupled Conversions”
Write relatable content
Almost 90% of Gen Z and millennial shoppers prefer influencers who they consider relatable. Relatability is part of building trust and connection with your target audience.
When writing your case study, make content that resonates with readers and speaks to their pain points. The best marketing doesn’t just increase conversion rates — it also serves your customers’ needs. To write content that really resonates with your target audience, make sure to:
- Understand your audience: To successfully write relatable content, you first need to understand your target audience — their interests, pain points, and challenges. The more you know about your target audience, the better you can tailor your content to their needs.
- Identify pain points: As mentioned above, identify challenges your target audience may face. Make sure to highlight how the product or service in the case study can effectively address these pain points.
- Tell a story: Create a narrative that follows a standard story arc. Start with a relatable struggle that the customer or business faced and describe its associated emotions.
- Use real customer feedback: Incorporate quotes or testimonials from actual customers or clients. Including authentic voices makes the content more relatable to readers because they can see real people expressing their experiences.
- Use relatable language: Write in a tone to which your audience can relate. Only include overly technical terms if your target audience solely consists of experts who would understand them.
- Use social proof: Mention any recognitions, awards, or industry acknowledgments that may have been received by the customer or business in the case study.
- Encourage engagement: Urge readers to share their own challenges or experiences related to the subject matter of the case study. This is a great way to foster a sense of community.
Outline your strategies with corresponding statistics
Whether you’re showing off the results your marketing team achieved with a new strategy or explaining how your product has helped customers, data and research make it easier to back up claims.
Include relevant statistics in your case study to provide evidence of the effectiveness of your strategies, such as:
- Quantitative data: Use numerical data to quantify results.
- Qualitative data: Use qualitative data, such as customer testimonials, to back up numerical results.
- Comparisons: Compare the post-campaign results with the pre-campaign benchmarks to provide context for the data.
- Case study metrics: Include specific metrics relevant to your industry or campaign if applicable. For example, in e-commerce, common metrics could include customer acquisition cost, average order value, or cart abandonment rate.
By incorporating relatable outcomes — such as cost savings from new automation or customer responsiveness from your new social media marketing campaign — you can provide concrete evidence of how your product or service has helped others in similar situations.
Use multiple formats of representation
People love visuals . It doesn’t matter if it’s an infographic for digital marketing or a graph chart in print materials — we love to see our data and results represented in visuals that are easy to understand. Additionally, including multiple representation formats is a great way to increase accessibility and enhance clarity.
When making a case study, consider including various forms of representation, such as:
- Infographics: Use infographics to condense critical information into a visually appealing, easy-to-understand graphic. Infographics are highly sharable and can be used across marketing channels.
- Charts: Use charts (bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, etc.) to illustrate statistical information such as data trends or comparisons. Make sure to include clear labels and titles for each chart.
- Images: Include relevant photos to enhance the storytelling aspect of your case study. Consider including “before and after” pictures if relevant to your case study.
- Videos: Short videos summarizing a case study’s main points are great for sharing across social media or embedding into your case study.
- Tables: Use tables to help organize data and make it easier for readers to digest.
- Data visualizations: Include data visualizations such as flowcharts or heatmaps to illustrate user journeys or specific processes.
- Screenshots: If your case study involves digital products, include screenshots to provide a visual walkthrough of how the product or service works.
- Diagrams: Use diagrams, such as a flowchart, to explain complex processes, decision trees, or workflows to simplify complicated information.
- Timelines: If your case study involves a timeline of specific events, present it using a timeline graphic.
Use a consistent design style and color scheme to maintain cohesion when incorporating multiple formats. Remember that each format you use should serve a specific purpose in engaging the reader and conveying information.
Get your case study in front of your intended audience
What good is a compelling case study and a killer call to action (CTA) if no one sees it? Once you’ve completed your case study, share it across the appropriate channels and networks your target audience frequents and incorporate it into your content strategy to increase visibility and reach. To get your case study noticed:
- Take advantage of your website. Create a dedicated section or landing page on your website for your case study. If your website has a blog section, consider including it here. Optimize the page for search engines (SEO) by including relevant keywords and optimizing the meta description and headers. Make sure to feature your case study on your homepage and relevant product or service pages.
- Launch email marketing campaigns. Send out the case study to your email subscriber list. Be specific and target groups that would most likely be interested in the case study.
- Launch social media campaigns. Share your case study on your social media platforms. Use eye-catching graphics and engaging captions to draw in potential readers. Consider creating teaser videos or graphics to generate interest.
- Utilize paid promotions. Use targeted social media and search engine ads to reach specific demographics or interests. Consider retargeting ads to re-engage visitors who have previously interacted with your website.
- Issue a press release. If your case study results in a significant industry impact, consider issuing a press release to share the exciting news with relevant media outlets or publications.
- Utilize influencer outreach. Collaborate with influencers who can share your case study with their followers to increase credibility and expand your reach.
- Host webinars and presentations. Discuss the case study findings and insights through webinars or presentations. Promote these events through your various marketing channels and make sure to encourage participation.
- Utilize networking events and conferences. Present your case study at industry-related conferences, trade shows, or networking events. Consider distributing printed or digital copies of the case study to attendees.
- Utilize online communities. Share the case study in relevant online forums and discussion groups where your target audience congregates.
- Practice search engine optimization (SEO). Optimize the SEO elements of your case study to improve organic search ranking and visibility.
Remember, the key to successfully promoting your case study is to tailor your approach to your specific target audience and their preferences. Consistently promoting your case study across multiple channels increases your chances of it reaching your intended audience.
Marketing case study examples
Let’s look at some successful marketing case studies for inspiration.
“How Handled Scaled from Zero to 121 Locations with HubSpot”
Right away, they lead with compelling metrics — the numbers don’t lie. They use two different formats: a well-made video accompanied by well-written text.
The study also addresses customer pain points, like meeting a higher demand during the pandemic.
“How AppSumo grew organic traffic 843% and revenue from organic traffic 340%”
This case study from Omniscient Digital leads with motivating stats, a glowing review sharing a real user experience, and a video review from the AppSumo Head of Content.
The case study information is broken down into clearly marked sections, explaining the benefits to their target audience (startups) and providing plenty of visuals, charts, and metrics to back it up.
“How One Ecommerce Business Solved the Omnichannel Challenge with Bitly Campaigns”
Download this Bitly case study from their site to see the details of how this company made an impact.
Not only is it well designed, but it also tackles customer challenges right away. The most compelling types of case studies serve their audience by showing how the product or service solves their problems.
Bitly nails it by listing obstacles and jumping right into how the brand can help.
Marketing case study template
Use this basic template to better understand the typical structure of a business case study and use it as a starting place to create your own:
Case Study Title
Date: [Date]
Client or Company Profile:
- Client/Company Name: [Client/Company Name]
- Industry: [Industry]
- Location: [Location]
- Client/Company Background: [Brief client or company background information.]
Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the client or company and any necessary context for the campaign or initiative.
- Problem statement: Describe the specific challenge or problem faced by the client or company before implementing the campaign or initiative.
- Strategy: Explain the strategy that was implemented to address the challenge. Include details such as target audience, objectives, goals, and tactics.
- Implementation: Provide a timeline of the strategy’s implementation, including key milestones and other notable considerations taken during execution.
- Outcomes: Present the qualitative and quantitative results achieved through the implemented strategy. Include relevant metrics, statistics, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Comparative data: Compare the post-campaign results to pre-campaign benchmarks or industry standards.
Analysis and Insights:
- Key insights: Summarize insights and lessons learned from the campaign and discuss the campaign's impact on the client or company’s goals.
- Challenges faced: Address any obstacles encountered during the campaign and how they were mitigated or overcome.
Conclusion:
- Conclusion: Summarize the campaign’s overall impact on the client or company. Highlight the value that was delivered by the implemented strategy and the success it achieved.
- Next Steps: Discuss potential follow-up actions, recommendations, or future strategies.
Testimonials:
- Include quotes or testimonials from the clients or customers who benefitted from the campaign.
- Incorporate relevant visuals to illustrate key points, findings, and results.
The above template is a great way to get started gathering your ideas and findings for a marketing case study. Feel free to add additional sections or customize the template to match your requirements.
Craft a compelling marketing case study for your business
Are you ready to make your marketing case study shine? With Adobe Express, you can make high-quality infographics and presentations that take your case studies to the next level.
Choose from our library of designed templates, or make it yourself with powerful tools and a library of ready-to-use graphic elements.
Get started with Adobe Express today to make compelling marketing case studies that engage your audience and drive conversions.
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