15 NFT marketing examples to study in 2023
Author: [email protected]
NFTs have gained significant popularity in recent years, and marketing campaigns play a crucial role in establishing a presence in the metaverse and attracting audiences. While no one-size-fits-all approach to NFT marketing exists, several successful examples have emerged, showcasing effective strategies. Let’s explore 11 NFT marketing examples from various industries.
1. Nike’s Metaverse and Collector Mentality: Nike has embraced the metaverse and its fans’ collector mentality through its NFT marketing campaigns. By acquiring RTFKT, Nike expanded its digital footprint for NFTs. Nike created NFTs to accompany its sneakers, providing proof of ownership and attracting a new customer base. Notably, the “Ducks of a Feather” NFT, bundled with Oregon Ducks edition Nike Air Max 3 shoes, attracted a larger audience while leveraging Nike’s dedicated collectors.
2. Bored Ape Yacht Club’s Exclusive Community: Bored Ape Yacht Club is a collection of NFTs featuring 10,000 unique ape characters. It appeals to the desire for exclusivity and belonging among NFT enthusiasts. By owning a Bored Ape NFT, collectors gain access to a private online community, special events, and merchandise. The Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT marketing campaign has created a loyal fan base and a strong brand identity, resulting in high demand and value for its NFTs.
3. NBA Top Shot’s Memorable Moments: NBA Top Shot offers NFT collections featuring highlights from the NBA’s top players. It taps into the excitement and nostalgia of memorable sports moments, engaging fans and driving significant sales. The NBA Top Shot NFT marketing campaigns have generated hundreds of millions of dollars by providing fans with the opportunity to own their favorite moments.
4. Azuki’s Anime Appeal: Azuki is a collection of 10,000 NFTs featuring anime-themed characters with different traits and accessories. It attracts fans of Japanese culture and art, as well as NFT collectors who appreciate the unique and hand-drawn style of the avatars. Azuki NFT holders are part of The Garden, a community where they can access exclusive drops, live events, and experiences in the metaverse. Azuki NFT marketing campaign has created a strong brand identity and a loyal fan base, resulting in high demand and value for its NFTs.
5. Taco Bell’s Positive Impact: Taco Bell’s NFT marketing campaign took a unique approach by selling digital taco artwork. The campaign started conversations and highlighted the potential of NFTs to benefit artists. Taco Bell’s NFT collection sold out in just 30 minutes and raised over $200,000 for its scholarship foundation, demonstrating how NFTs can be used for good while showcasing the partnership between companies and artists.
6. Art Blocks’ Algorithmic Art: Art Blocks is a platform that allows artists to create generative art NFTs using algorithms. Generative art is a form of art that is created by a set of rules or instructions, rather than by direct human intervention. Art Blocks NFTs are unique and unpredictable, as they are generated by a random seed that interacts with the artist’s code. Art Blocks NFT marketing campaign has showcased the diversity and creativity of generative art, attracting collectors who appreciate the aesthetic and technical aspects of the artworks.
7. Hot Wheels’ Tangible Value: Hot Wheels incorporated physical accessories into its NFT marketing campaign, offering limited-edition die-cast cars alongside digital NFT packs. By linking the physical and digital realms, Hot Wheels strengthened the bond between consumers, their NFTs, and the brand. This approach added sentimental value and contributed to the campaign’s financial success.
8. World of Women’s Inclusive Vision: World of Women is a collection of 10,000 NFTs featuring diverse and powerful women created by artist Yam Karkai. It aims to celebrate representation, inclusivity, and equal opportunities for all in the NFT space and beyond. World of Women NFT holders are part of a network of artists, creators, entrepreneurs, and executives who support and spotlight emerging women artists, give back to women-led and sustainability-focused organizations, and educate and welcome women and under-represented minorities to NFTs and Web3. World of Women NFT marketing campaign has generated awareness and recognition for its social impact and artistic value, appearing in prominent platforms such as Christie’s, The New Yorker, and OpenSea.
9. VeeFriends’ Exclusive Access: VeeFriends, created by Gary Vaynerchuk, grants NFT holders tickets to an exclusive convention and offers collectible NFTs designed by special artists. The campaign leverages the appeal of exclusive events and builds a tight-knit community, attracting buyers who want to be part of something greater. VeeFriends’ marketing initiatives have successfully turned internet esteem into desirable digital assets.
10. Bud Light NEXT: Bud Light NEXT introduced an NFT collection coinciding with the announcement of its new product. Buyers of Bud Light NEXT NFTs gained exclusive benefits such as voting on new brand merchandise and surprise rewards. The tokens sold out before the Super Bowl, generating $4.5 million in revenue. The NFT campaign complemented the launch of the new beer, creating interest in both the product and the NFT world.
11. Adidas Originals “Into The Metaverse”: Adidas partnered with NFT holders to provide exclusive physical merchandise items and access to the Metaverse virtual land experiences. This NFT marketing campaign showcased the potential of collaborations between brands, artists, and the community. By offering unique physical benefits and co-created virtual experiences, Adidas attracted a diverse audience and expanded its presence in the NFT space.
12. Bored Ape Yacht Club’s Celebrity Influencer Campaign: The second mention on this list of the NFT industry’s premier collection, Bored Ape Yacht Club gained popularity with celebrity buyers, who shared their NFTs on social media, creating an influencer marketing campaign. Each Bored Ape NFT provided access to an exclusive “club” environment, motivating others to join and engage with celebrities. The uniqueness and interaction possibilities of these NFTs drove their desirability and market value.
13. Sotheby’s “Natively Digital: A Curated NFT Sale”: Sotheby’s, a renowned auction house, held a curated NFT sale titled “Natively Digital,” featuring a collection of high-profile digital artworks. The marketing campaign focused on the exclusivity and prestige associated with owning a digital masterpiece. Sotheby’s leveraged its reputation and expertise to attract collectors and investors to the NFT space, highlighting the value and significance of NFTs as a new form of art.
14. Visa’s CryptoPunk Purchase: Visa made headlines by purchasing a CryptoPunk NFT, one of the most iconic and valuable collections in the NFT world. This marketing move demonstrated Visa’s interest in exploring blockchain technology and its commitment to embracing digital assets. By aligning with a highly coveted and recognizable NFT brand, Visa generated attention and credibility in the crypto and NFT communities.
15. Beeple’s “Everydays: The First 5000 Days”: Beeple’s groundbreaking NFT artwork sale at Christie’s auction house garnered widespread attention. The campaign centered around the auction of a unique digital collage representing 5,000 days of continuous artwork creation. The sale catapulted Beeple into the mainstream art world and solidified NFTs as a legitimate medium for artistic expression. The marketing campaign capitalized on the rarity and historical significance of the artwork, drawing in both traditional art collectors and NFT enthusiasts.
These examples highlight various effective strategies employed in NFT marketing, such as leveraging partnerships, tying physical and digital experiences, embracing exclusivity, utilizing influencer marketing, leveraging reputation and expertise, and showcasing historical or iconic significance. Each campaign tailored its approach to suit its target audience and objectives, ultimately driving engagement, sales, and community growth within the NFT ecosystem.
This piece is contributed by Footprint Analytics community.
We’re thrilled to invite institutions and projects to build out your own custom research pages like this. With our help, you can easily own your own data website for research without any coding experience or technical input. Simply fill in this form to apply for the waitlist and get started today.
The Footprint Community is a place where data and crypto enthusiasts worldwide help each other understand and gain insights about Web3, the metaverse, DeFi, GameFi, or any other area of the fledgling world of blockchain. Here you’ll find active, diverse voices supporting each other and driving the community forward.
Footprint Website: https://www.footprint.network
Discord: https://discord.gg/3HYaR6USM7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Footprint_Data