The Best 2017 Valentine’s Campaigns

Ooh la la! There’s no avoiding the Valentine’s Day onslaught whether you’re a singleton happily playing the field or a Bridget Jones-style ‘smug married’. Many of us turn our noses up at an annual event ‘created’ by marketers - but if it’s an excuse for a kiss and a cuddle and flowers and a nice bit of grub (or whatever else if your jam), then who are we to complain? And brands couldn’t agree more. They love to get in on the action, offering up silliness, seriousness and, of course, sexiness. So which brands went balls deep this year? Without further ado! 

Burger King - Valentine’s Adult Mealbank

Valentine’s is more commonly associated with a romantic candlelit dinner than fast food hamburgers. But Burger King Israel, thanks to its agency Leo Burnett, is weighing to the calendar year’s sexiest night with the ‘Valentine’s Adult Meal’, containing 2x Whoppers, 2x packs of french fries, 2x beers + “A romantic ADULT TOY inside”… 

MTV Staying Alive Foundation - #DickTheDog

A horny little mutt learns to rubber up in this funny film with an important message. Creative out of Ogilvy & Mather Hong Kong, animation by Mrzyk & Moriceau, and music from Woody Guthrie.

Visa - Uncommon Truths

These brilliantly deadpan Visa ads by Impact BBDO Dubai may make you rethink your gift ideas, not only this year but for years beyond. 

Snickers - You’re Forgetful When You’re Hungry

Snickers and its agency AMV BBDO helped forgetful Londoners from embarrassment with this special outdoor poster with a message made out of 3000 Valentine’s Day cards that people could peel off and take away to use.

Coco de Mer x Pamela Anderson - Take Your Breath Away

Pamela Anderson opts for a Valentine’s night in in this sumptuous film by Rankin for high-end British sex shop Coco de Mer. 

Take Note - A life story, a love story

Tissues at the ready. This is a proper emotional roller coaster courtesy of BBDO Toronto and stationary store Take Note.

Adobe & UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive - #FreeTheLove

A new exhibition titled ‘Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia’ at the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love in San Francisco. The event is being promoted with augmented reality love balloons, created in partnership with Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Adobe. 

Love Is Love

This beguiling animation project from Australian director Kyra Bartley involved inviting artists, illustrators and animators from around the world to contribute one piece of artwork that represented one frame of a chaotic animation loop showcasing inclusivity in all its forms.

Barkley - Tender Musings with Michael M. Schultz 

Modern day life is busy. So save time this Valentine’s with a heartfelt message from Michael M. Schultz, partner at US agency Barkley. Brilliantly creepy. 

Old Spice - Simu-Date-Her

An opportunity to control a real man and interact with a real woman on a real-ish date, thanks to Old Spice, Wieden+Kennedy Portland, and Facebook Live.

Cailler - #LoveCailler

Swiss chocolate brand Cailler partnered with agency POSSIBLE and Colombian illustrator Alejandro Giraldo to capture couple’s special moments with unique commissioned artworks. 

Banks’s - Tells It Like It Is

It might be Valentine’s Day. But it’s also darts night in the UK, as this campaign from Banks’s Beer and Big Al’s Creative Emporium suggests. The ads feature real graffiti from independent artist Graffoflarge.

Snuggle - Snuggle Serenades

Serenade your loved ones with the gift of soft linen thanks to Snuggle, Campbell Ewald, RingSide Creative and Cutters Studios.

NHS Blood and Transplant - Kidney Shaped Love 

This musically charged film for NHS Blood and Transplant encourages viewers to consider transforming lives this Valentine’s by donating a kidney to someone in need, be they a stranger, friend or loved one.

Droga5

Valentine’s Day cards are invariably festooned with pictures of cute anthropomorphised animals. That is until now, thanks to Droga5 London’s brilliant cards featuring “ugly and forgotten” endangered animals. What’s more, all profits going to charities supporting the endangered animals that feature on the cards. You can check out all the cards in the campaign right here.

The Mill

The Mill’s London studio relives high school sweetheart moments as its front windows become an installation days-gone-by.