Best Digital Marketing Campaigns of 2019

Some of the most memorable marketing campaigns of 2019 did more than attract attention: they gave people a reason to take part, share a story or see a familiar brand differently. From personalised playlists to inclusive design, these campaigns show how digital channels can make a wider marketing idea more engaging and measurable.

There is no single measure of the “best” campaign. The examples below stand out for their creativity, relevance and ability to connect with audiences across digital and traditional media.

Spotify Wrapped: turning listening data into something shareable

Spotify Wrapped was a natural fit for social media. At the end of 2019, Spotify gave users personalised summaries of their listening habits, including their most-played artists and tracks. The colourful graphics were easy to share, turning individual listening data into a conversation between friends and fans.

The campaign worked because it offered something personal and entertaining rather than simply asking people to promote the service. Each user’s summary was different, while the familiar format made the experience instantly recognisable. It showed how first-party data can be used to create content audiences want to share.

LEGO Rebuild the World: putting creativity at the heart of the brand

Launched in 2019, LEGO’s Rebuild the World campaign celebrated imagination and creative problem-solving. Its colourful creative work showed everyday situations transformed through playful, unexpected ideas, and invited people to view the world as something they could remake.

The campaign brought together film, social content and other brand activity under a clear central idea. Rather than focusing only on individual products, LEGO highlighted a broader value associated with the brand: the freedom to create. That gave the campaign room to appeal to children, parents and adult fans alike.

Microsoft Xbox “We All Win”: designing for inclusion

Microsoft’s “We All Win” campaign introduced the Xbox Adaptive Controller to a broad audience during the 2019 Super Bowl. The advert featured young gamers with limited mobility talking about the barriers they faced when playing video games, and how accessible design could help them play with others.

The campaign was effective because the product and the story were closely connected. It did not treat accessibility as a side issue; it showed how thoughtful design could make gaming more inclusive. The emotional film also gave viewers a compelling reason to learn about the controller beyond its technical features.

Dove and Getty Images’ Project #ShowUs: broadening representation

Project #ShowUs, launched in 2019 by Dove, Getty Images and the Girlgaze network, set out to address the limited representation of women in visual media. The project created a collection of images featuring women and non-binary people, with the aim of offering brands and publishers more authentic, diverse imagery.

Its strength was that it paired a clear message with a practical resource. Rather than relying solely on an advert about representation, the project helped expand the images available for commercial use. The campaign also gave audiences a way to engage with the issue and share its message online.

Cadbury Secret Santa: making a small act feel personal

Cadbury’s 2019 Secret Santa campaign encouraged people to give a chocolate bar anonymously to someone they cared about. Its digital activity helped bring the idea to life, making it easier for people to take part in a simple, seasonal gesture.

The campaign tapped into the emotional appeal of giving without turning the moment into a grand display. Its straightforward idea was easy to understand and well suited to social sharing, while the recognisable Cadbury branding kept the product at the centre of the experience.

John Lewis & Partners’ “Excitable Edgar”: a Christmas story built for sharing

John Lewis & Partners’ 2019 Christmas advert introduced Edgar, a young dragon whose excitement repeatedly causes problems. The film was supported by digital content and social activity, allowing the story and its characters to reach audiences beyond the television advert.

Christmas advertising is highly competitive, but Edgar gave the campaign a distinctive character and a simple emotional arc. The story created opportunities for people to discuss and share the advert, while the wider campaign connected the festive narrative with the retailer’s products and seasonal activity.

Gillette’s “We Believe”: putting brand values into the conversation

Gillette’s “We Believe” campaign, released in January 2019, revisited the brand’s long-running “The Best a Man Can Get” message. Its film addressed ideas about masculinity, behaviour and responsibility, prompting significant discussion across social media and other channels.

The campaign demonstrated the reach and risks of taking a position on a cultural issue. It generated strong reactions, both supportive and critical, and showed that brand-purpose marketing can invite debate as well as engagement. For marketers, the lesson is that a values-led message needs to feel credible and consistent with a brand’s actions.

What these campaigns can teach marketers

• Give people a reason to participate. Personalised content and simple interactive ideas can turn an audience into active participants.
• Make the idea easy to understand. A clear central concept helps a campaign travel across social media, video, websites and other channels.
• Connect the message to the brand. The most persuasive campaigns make their product, service or brand purpose relevant to the story.
• Build for sharing, not just reach. Content that is entertaining, useful or meaningful is more likely to prompt genuine conversation.
• Be prepared for scrutiny. Campaigns that address social issues can attract strong responses. Brands need to support their messages with credible behaviour.

Conclusion

The best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 used technology and online channels to strengthen a bigger idea. Whether they encouraged people to share personal listening data, made gaming more inclusive or started conversations about representation, they put audience relevance at the centre of the work. Their lasting lesson is simple: effective digital marketing is not just about being seen; it is about giving people something worth experiencing and sharing.

 

Exploring the Top Digital Marketing Campaigns of 2019: Success Stories, Key Players, and Valuable Insights

1. What were the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?
2. Which brands created the most successful digital marketing campaigns in 2019?
3. What made the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 successful?
4. Which 2019 digital marketing campaigns had the greatest impact on social media?
5. What lessons can businesses learn from the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?

What were the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?

The best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 combined creative ideas with strong audience engagement. Standout examples included Spotify Wrapped, which turned listeners’ personal music data into shareable summaries; Microsoft Xbox’s “We All Win”, which championed accessible gaming; and Dove and Getty Images’ Project #ShowUs, which promoted more inclusive representation. LEGO’s “Rebuild the World” also captured attention by celebrating creativity. Which campaign was “best” depends on the criteria, but these examples stood out for being memorable, relevant and easy for people to engage with and share.

Which brands created the most successful digital marketing campaigns in 2019?

There was no single measure of success, but several brands stood out in 2019. Spotify’s Wrapped campaign turned users’ listening data into personalised, shareable content, while LEGO’s Rebuild the World celebrated creativity across digital and other channels. Microsoft’s “We All Win” highlighted inclusive gaming, and Dove’s Project #ShowUs promoted more diverse representation in imagery. Cadbury’s Secret Santa and John Lewis & Partners’ Christmas campaign also captured attention with engaging, shareable stories.

What made the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 successful?

The best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 succeeded by combining a clear, memorable idea with a strong understanding of their audience. They used digital channels to make campaigns more personal, interactive and easy to share, while ensuring the creative connected naturally with the brand. Many also addressed cultural issues or offered genuine value, helping them spark conversation rather than simply promote a product. Clear objectives and consistent messaging across channels helped turn that attention into meaningful engagement.

Which 2019 digital marketing campaigns had the greatest impact on social media?

Several 2019 campaigns made a notable impact on social media. Spotify Wrapped encouraged users to share personalised summaries of their listening habits, helping the campaign spread organically. Gillette’s “We Believe” prompted widespread debate about masculinity and responsibility, while Dove’s Project #ShowUs invited people to support more inclusive representation. John Lewis & Partners’ Christmas advert, featuring Edgar the dragon, also sparked conversation and sharing. Their impact came from giving audiences something personal, emotional or thought-provoking to discuss—not simply from promoting a product.

What lessons can businesses learn from the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019?

Businesses can learn from the best digital marketing campaigns of 2019 to start with a clear, audience-focused idea and give people a genuine reason to engage or share. Personalised, useful or entertaining content can help a campaign feel relevant, while a consistent message across digital channels makes it easier to recognise. Campaigns that take a stand should also ensure their values are reflected in their actions, as audiences expect authenticity. Above all, success is not just about reach: businesses should set measurable goals and assess whether their campaigns build awareness, engagement or sales.