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Want to Stand Out? Start Doing More Than Saying
How Red Bull, Nike & Airbnb Win with Experiential Marketing
In partnership with
In a world saturated with content, ads, and offers — traditional marketing is easy to ignore. But experiences? People remember those.
This is where experiential marketing shines. It’s not about selling to people — it’s about immersing them in your brand’s world. From events and installations to interactive pop-ups and community moments, experiential marketing makes your brand tangible, memorable, and shareable.
In this Startup Stoic newsletter, we unpack how giants like Red Bull, Airbnb, and Nike use experiences to build unshakable loyalty — and how startups can borrow these tactics to create buzz without billion-dollar budgets.
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What Is Experiential Marketing?
Experiential marketing (also called engagement marketing) is a strategy that invites people to participate in a brand experience. It’s often interactive, sensory, or emotionally engaging.
Unlike traditional ads that talk at people, experiential campaigns let people connect with the brand on a deeper, more personal level. And when done right, they generate word-of-mouth, press, and organic reach that money can’t buy.
Case Study 1: Red Bull — Turning Energy into Action
Red Bull doesn’t just sell energy drinks — it sells adrenaline.
Their approach to marketing is a masterclass in experience. Instead of typical commercials, Red Bull sponsors extreme sports events, builds branded adventures, and creates moments that embody its slogan: “Red Bull gives you wings.”
Most iconic example?
In 2012, Red Bull funded the Stratos Project, where skydiver Felix Baumgartner jumped from the edge of space.
Stratos Space jump by RedBull
It wasn't a commercial — it was a world event, live-streamed by millions.
Red Bull became associated not just with energy drinks, but with pushing limits.
Startup takeaway:
You don’t need a space suit. Sponsor niche events, host mini challenges, or create moments where your product becomes part of a story. Let people feel your brand in action.
Case Study 2: Airbnb — Making Community Real
Airbnb could have relied on clever online ads. Instead, it invested in physical, real-world experiences that brought hosts and travelers together.
Example: Airbnb Open (their annual festival for hosts):
The event included TED-style talks, city tours, and community dinners.
It wasn’t about rooms or bookings — it was about belonging.
Attendees left feeling part of a movement, not just a platform.
They also launched “Airbnb Experiences”, turning local hosts into guides for activities like pasta-making, city hikes, or live music nights — blending tourism with authenticity.
Airbnb Floating Houses
Startup takeaway:
Create opportunities for your users or customers to meet, learn, or share stories. Even if it’s small — a founder Q&A, a user meet-up, or a co-branded event can forge meaningful connections.
Case Study 3: Nike — From Product to Lifestyle
Nike isn’t just a sportswear brand — it’s a lifestyle movement.
While they invest in advertising, they’ve consistently used experiential campaigns to build stronger bonds with their audience.
Example: Nike Run Clubs (NRC):
Free group runs in major cities with coaching, community, and branded events.
Participants didn’t just wear Nike — they ran with it, sweated with it, and connected with others under its banner.
This turned users into community members.
Nike Athletes Experience
Other examples:
Immersive pop-up stores
Interactive product trials
Augmented reality challenges on apps
Startup takeaway:
Build brand rituals. Could your product be the center of a local meetup? A challenge? A free experience that lives beyond the screen?
Why It Works
Experiential marketing taps into:
Emotion: People remember how you made them feel.
Storytelling: Great experiences become great stories.
Engagement: Participation builds stronger connections than observation.
Community: Shared experiences lead to shared identities.
And the bonus? These experiences often generate UGC (user-generated content), word-of-mouth, and press — meaning the reach often goes beyond the original audience.
How Startups Can Start Small
You don’t need a massive budget to create impact. Try:
Hosting an invite-only event for early adopters or super-users
Setting up a pop-up demo booth at a niche conference
Partnering with another startup for a co-branded challenge
Offering a behind-the-scenes factory/office tour
Creating a photo-worthy unboxing or product trial experience
The goal isn’t scale — it’s connection.
Final Thought
People forget ads. But they remember how they felt at that one pop-up, meet-up, or live session.
In an age of short attention spans, the brands that are remembered are the ones people experienced — not just saw.
Startups that think experientially early on build deeper relationships and more durable growth.
More Startup Inspiration…
Until next time,
– The Startup Stoic Team