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Want to do some PR? Think about something different, forget those normal press releases and corporate jargon. In today’s attention-grabbing digital world, brands are turning to a surprising tool for PR success: memes. Yep, those funny, relatable images and jokes shared online can have a huge impact when used strategically. But how do you use them properly?

For that, think of memes as a social currency. They dive into these shared experiences, humor, and cultural trends, and create a connection with your audience on a more personal level. But not every meme is created equal. Let’s see how to use them wisely.

1. Be Authentic & Relevant: Don’t just jump on any bandwagon. Choose memes that genuinely match your brand values and target audience. Forced attempts can backfire, so authenticity is very important.

2. Respect the Memeverse: Know your memes! Understand the nuances and context before using them. Misusing a meme can be very costly, so do your research and choose wisely.

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3. Timing is Everything: Get on the wave of trending topics, but don’t be late to the party. Old memes lose their humor quickly, so try to stay on top of what’s trending online.

4. Humor with a Purpose: Make sure your meme has a point beyond just being funny. Use it to subtly promote your brand message, show a new product, or increase positive engagement.

5. Measure Your Memes: Track the impact of your meme campaign. Was it shared, liked, and commented on? Did it generate good publicity and engagement for your brand? Learn and adapt.

Read More : Combating Fake News in PR : Strategies To Build Audience Trust in Post-Truth World

Mastering Memes: A Tale of Two Campaigns

1. Oreo’s “Dunk in the Dark” Tweet

The 2013 Super Bowl witnessed a huge power outage, with the stadium in a blackout and millions watching from home into darkness. While some brands went  haywire, Oreo seized the opportunity with a simple yet ingenious tweet: a picture of their cookie in the dark with the text “You can still dunk in the dark.” This post went viral because of Oreo’s quick wit which made it very funny.

The tweet got over 15,000 retweets and 20,000 likes on Facebook, instantly generating positive buzz and brand association to become a textbook example of real-time marketing done right.

2. Netflix’s “Stranger Things” Season 3 Upside Down Challenge

To promote the highly anticipated Season 3 of “Stranger Things,” Netflix launched an interactive Instagram filter called the “Upside Down Challenge.” This filter allowed users to flip their world upside down, just like in the show. This wasn’t just a stunt, but a really good, immersive experience that made the fans of the show go crazy.

The campaign received over 1 million shares and generated widespread online buzz. Users flocked to social media to share their photos, which created really good word-of-mouth publicity that helped promote the new season.

These campaigns showed us that memes can become more than just jokes if used at the right moments. They can be interactive experiences that can help to get huge engagement and build a connection with the audience.