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When looking at the emerging digital marketing trends of 2025, experiential marketing is taking the digital landscape by storm. From pop-up events to customer-generated content, here’s how you can tap into the trend to connect with customers on a deeper level.
As we take a dive into emerging 2025 marketing trends, it’s increasingly evident that experiential marketing is all the rage. Customers are longing for more than an exchange of products: they’re seeking connections with brands on a deeper level. In a world of endless scrolling and overconsumption, customers long for unique experiences and places that stand out. The digital marketing landscape can get saturated with the same styles of content, so customers appreciate fresh takes on new trends.
Nothing exemplifies this better than Austin’s new coffee shop and DJ set trend: customers are flocking to cafe patios across the city to enjoy morning DJ sets as they sip their coffees. It’s not just about the coffee – it’s about the experience and opportunity to connect with others. Similarly, events such as wine dinners and tequila tastings are garnering attention right now (subtle plug: Bay View Restaurant and Bar has quite the event lineup this month).
Experiential events are goldmines for social content. Did you know that photos featuring people perform 38% better than those without people? Not only will event-centered content lead to a boost in engagement, but you’ll have the perfect bank of content to pull from. Graphics leading up to the event, real-time story updates, and carousels + Reels to recap… the possibilities are endless! Plus, experiential events make a brand come alive, as customers are getting to understand the heart of the brand.
Customers are the best content creators: beautiful, interesting events result in beautiful, interesting customer photos! Users love snapping photos and videos of buzzworthy events, naturally drawing more people to your social accounts. According to social media expert Allison Battisby, customer-created content is on the rise in 2025 as “brands are going to invest more in nurturing relationships with loyal customers, loyal followers, the people that are always logging in to engage with them or watch their videos.”
Remember the aforementioned coffee shop DJ sets? A quick search of ‘the morning spin’ on TikTok shows hundreds of vlogs and videos posted by event attendees, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. This content is what’s drawing flocks of crowds to these events, and the brand hosting these events isn’t even lifting a finger.
Your favorite media outlet won’t want to post about the same happy hour special for the fifth time, but a unique event? That’s an angle they’ll want to cover. Plus, event-specific social accounts like WhenWhereWhat Austin are gaining popularity, making it easier than ever to spread the word.
Experiential marketing doesn’t have to be about elaborate pop-ups or weeks of prep. Sometimes, it’s as simple as curating an inviting, welcoming, atmosphere. Take Starbucks’ latest ‘back to Starbucks’ campaign: as customers prioritize slow-paced environments that act as third spaces, Starbucks has rolled out several changes that reflect its customer-centric mission. Its return of condiment bars, personalized notes on cups, and free refills demonstrates the brand’s commitment to the customer experience – and customers appreciate it. These moves create an experience people want to return to, and that’s the heart of experiential marketing.
According to Scrol Agency, experiential marketing is all about creating a sensory experience by “using our five senses to evoke attachment to the brand experience.” Great content goes beyond beautiful visuals – it’s about combining interesting textures and satisfying sounds to create an immersive experience. Why does this work? According to the Glion Institute of Higher Education, “our brains love novelty… if your brand can pull off something distinctively different in terms of marketing perception, it will unquestionably linger in consumers’ minds.” Think about all of your favorite brands and restaurants. They stand out to you because they do something different that can’t easily be replicated. By incorporating sensory experiences into your company, you can recreate the same phenomenon with your customers.
Gone are the days of one-sided brand interaction: customers want to have a conversation with their favorite brands. Whether they’re offering feedback, asking questions, or simply sharing their brand experiences, customers love to feel heard.
Take Chipotle’s X account, for instance: the fast-food chain prioritizes quick and playful customer engagement, to the point where customers know the name behind the brand. During Chipotle’s ‘extra bowl’ Super Bowl campaign, the brand focused its advertising around surprise promotional code drops on X and Instagram. These surprise drops allowed customers to engage in an experience instead of watching a 30-second TV commercial that blends in with the masses. After every promotional code drop, customers left flurries of comments mentioning Alex, the mastermind behind Chipotle’s social media, by name. Alex responded playfully to these comments in real time, while simultaneously listening to customer feedback on ways to improve the code drops. This playful tone and instantaneous feedback highlights the importance of crafting a positive customer engagement experience: even when customers have negative feedback, a thoughtful and timely response goes a long way.
By listening to customer feedback and ensuring that every step of your dining experience aligns with customer desires, you’re one step closer to a seamless marketing strategy. After all, a great marketing strategy starts with a great brand experience, no matter how big or small. Whether you’re creating beautiful pop-up events, prioritizing customer engagement, or focusing on the little details to add pizazz to the brand experience, your customers will thank you.
– Brooke B.
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