Brand collaborations have become a strategic tool for companies to amplify their reach, engage new audiences, and create buzzworthy products. When two brands join forces, they can leverage each other’s strengths, creativity, and market presence to deliver unique and memorable experiences. Here, we explore five iconic brand collaborations that have made waves in their respective industries.
Taco Bell and Doritos
Why They Collaborated: Taco Bell and Doritos, both under the umbrella of PepsiCo, saw an opportunity to combine their beloved flavors into a single, innovative product. This collaboration aimed to create a unique fast-food item that would appeal to fans of both brands.
What They Did: In 2012, Taco Bell introduced the Doritos Locos Tacos, featuring a taco shell made from Doritos chips. This fusion of Taco Bell’s tacos with Doritos’ bold flavors created an immediate sensation.
So What: The Doritos Locos Tacos quickly became one of Taco Bell’s best-selling items, generating over $1 billion in sales within the first year. The success of this collaboration demonstrated the power of combining two popular brands to create an irresistible product that resonates with consumers (MarketScreener). Now, the Doritos Locos Tacos is still a staple of the Taco Bell menu, and it’s hard to think of Taco Bell without the Doritos Locos Tacos!
Oscar Mayer and Seoul Mamas
Why They Collaborated: This collaboration may have you scratching your head and going, “um… what?” but bizarreness generates buzz! Oscar Mayer sought to tap into the booming skincare market by leveraging its quirky, nostalgic brand image. Teaming up with Seoul Mamas, a Korean skincare company, allowed Oscar Mayer to enter a new market with a playful twist.
What They Did: In 2022, the brands launched a limited-edition bologna-themed moisturizing face mask. The mask, designed to look like a slice of Oscar Mayer bologna, was intended as a humorous yet functional skincare product.
So What: The face masks sold out within hours, driven by novelty and strong social media buzz. This collaboration highlighted the potential for unexpected partnerships to capture consumer interest and generate viral success.
The Chunky Dunky: Nike and Ben & Jerry’s
Why They Collaborated: Again, you may think that a fitness brand collaborating with an ice cream brand sounds like a recipe for disaster (see what we did there?), but we’re here to show you that oftentimes, unlikely partnerships end up being the most effective. Nike and Ben & Jerry’s have strong brand identities and a bold, creative marketing history. By partnering, they aimed to create a product that would appeal to sneakerheads and ice cream enthusiasts alike.
What They Did: In 2020, Nike released the Chunky Dunky, a sneaker inspired by Ben & Jerry’s popular ice cream flavor, Chunky Monkey. The shoes featured vibrant, ice cream-themed designs and were released in limited quantities.
So What: The Chunky Dunky became one of the most hyped sneaker releases of the year, selling out immediately and fetching high resale prices. This collaboration showcased how two iconic brands could create a highly coveted product by blending their unique aesthetics and fan bases.
KFC and Crocs
Why They Collaborated: Next up for our unlikely yet effective partnerships.. KFC and Crocs teamed up to leverage each other’s brand identities and generate buzz through a surprising and quirky partnership. KFC, known for its iconic fried chicken, and Crocs, famous for its distinctive and comfortable footwear, aimed to create a unique product that would capture the public’s attention and highlight the playful sides of both brands.
How They Collaborated: In 2020, the two brands released a limited-edition pair of Crocs that featured a fried chicken print. The design included a KFC bucket pattern on the base and two removable, scented Jibbitz charms that looked and smelled like fried chicken. The collaboration was promoted through social media and online marketing campaigns, generating significant interest and anticipation.
So What: The KFC x Crocs collaboration generated a lot of buzz and quickly became a viral sensation. The shoes sold out almost immediately upon release, once again demonstrating the power of unexpected brand partnerships to capture consumer interest and drive sales. The collaboration highlighted both brands’ creativity and showed how humor and surprise can create memorable marketing moments. The success of this partnership reinforced the idea that bold and unconventional collaborations can lead to significant media coverage and consumer engagement (StyleDemocracy)(DIELINE).
GoPro and Red Bull
Why They Collaborated: Red Bull and GoPro both focus on capturing and promoting extreme sports and adventures. The collaboration aimed to push the boundaries of human potential and capture the incredible feat on camera, showcasing GoPro’s cutting-edge technology and Red Bull’s extreme, adrenaline-fueled sports brand.
How They Collaborated: Led by the Red Bull Stratos project, Felix Baumgartner ascended to the stratosphere in a helium balloon and jumped from approximately 128,000 feet (39 kilometers). GoPro cameras were used to document every moment of the jump, from the ascent to the freefall and landing. The footage provided a first-person perspective of the entire journey, capturing the awe-inspiring views and the intense moments of Baumgartner’s descent.
So What: The Red Bull Stratos project was a monumental success, setting several world records, including the highest freefall jump and the first human to break the sound barrier outside a vehicle. The event generated massive global media coverage and was watched live by millions of people. The collaboration highlighted GoPro’s capability to capture high-quality footage in extreme conditions and reinforced Red Bull’s image as a leader in extreme sports. This campaign boosted both brands’ visibility and credibility and showcased the power of combining innovative technology with extraordinary human feats.
Conclusion
These iconic brand collaborations are just a few examples of how strategic partnerships can drive innovation, capture consumer interest, and create lasting market impact. By blending their unique strengths and audiences, these brands have set new standards for creativity and engagement in their industries. Whether through novelty products, limited-edition releases, or content partnerships, these collaborations showcase the limitless possibilities when brands come together. What brands do you think should collaborate next?