Outdated Brand Activation Tricks You Should Avoid

Giant mascots were used to draw attention and gather crowds at public places for brand activation activities. However, now is the era of immersive experience and such tricks are not enough to engage the target audiences.

Jun 18, 2025 - 18:07
 7
Outdated Brand Activation Tricks You Should Avoid

Brand activation events allow the authorities to reach the target audience and create awareness and interest. Such events significantly boost the popularity and sales of the brands. However, any random event cannot help you achieve these goals. Professionally planned events with creative and unique activation strategies are the keys to success.

Even in this technologically advanced era, some brands are still hooked to outdated activation tricks. These practices may garner you a little interest, but you will be unable to grow your target audience according to expectations, let alone the sales. Avoiding outdated tricks and opting for unique ideas is the only way to achieve your goals.

Scroll down into the details of this article to get your hands on outdated brand activation tricks you should avoid to stop sabotaging your sales and popularity.

Top 5 Outdated Brand Activation Tricks You Should Skip

Activation events hold great significance for brands. They put a lot of effort, insights, and investment into making the event successful. However, a single mistake of opting for outdated tricks and strategies often costs them hugely. Learning about these outdated practices and avoiding them is the only way to make your events successful again.

Here are some of the outdated brand activation tricks you should skip to reclaim successful outcomes.

1.Giant Inflatable Mascots

Giant inflatable mascots are the foremost outdated brand activation trick. It was popular and effective about two decades ago but not anymore. Giant mascots were used to draw attention and gather crowds at public places for brand activation activities. However, now is the era of immersive experience and such tricks are not enough to engage the target audiences.

It is high time for brands to give up on this trick unless their target audience is children. Adult populations are more interested in interactive experiences. Due to this, brands often hire experts from an event agency in Dubaito plan immersive and interactive activation events.

2.Overly Promotional Posters

Overly promotional posters are the next outdated brand activation trick you need to avoid. Brands usually get huge posters printed to hang on the event venue. The posters are overly filled and need a good five minutes to read and understand the whole content.

The purpose of posters at events is to offer quick insights into the type, date, venue, and organizers of the events. It should hardly take five to ten seconds to skim through the details. Over-explanation, as well as too many promotional posters at the event venue and even surroundings, can put off the target audience. So, make sure to not overdo it and rely on the necessary signage only.

3.Excessive Giveaways and Discounts

Excessive giveaways and discounts are the next brand activation trick that has become outdated. Some brands offer huge discounts upon opening, which continue for weeks, instead of two to three days. They also offer discounts at specific events and even provide free giveaways. It might be a strategy to attract the target audience by offering them a taste beforehand; however, it is not cost-effective.

The business might face loss due to the excessive free and discounted offerings. The target audience might also question the worth and standing of the business. Moreover, once the promotional period ends, the brand will have to raise the prices to cover the losses. The target audience will again be disappointed, so it is better to opt for a balanced strategy from the get-go.

4.Forced Contest Signups

Forced contest signups are another brand activation trick that has now become outdated. The brand representatives randomly approach people in public and ask them to share their contact info. They brief people about some random contest they are holding and ask them to join it by sharing their contact details.

Most people are not interested in sharing their personal details and even question the authenticity of the contest. Some people feel forced and end up giving the wrong details to end the conversation. Brands need to stop relying on such tactics and opt for more acceptable alternatives. Social media is a great source of getting the sign-ups. You can put on a story and interested people will provide you with the details without any forceful attempts.

5.Random Swag Bags

Random swag bags are the last outdated brand activation trick you need to give up. Swag bags with customized pens, notepads, key chains, mugs, and tees used to be the norm at brand events. However, these products do not have any lasting value and are discarded immediately quite often. At times, even the quality of these products is subpar which further undermines their value.

Current generations are not interested in such random offerings, so brands need to put effort and investment if they want to offer swag bags. You can offer samples of your products to win over the target audience. You can even hire an event agency in Dubaiand let experts plan creative and interesting swag bags along with planning the event.

Are You Guilty of Following Outdated Brand Activation Tricks?

Every other brand is guilty of following one or two outdated tricks in their events. However, now is the right time to put a stop to this. You can onboard professional event organizers to explore and experiment with new ideas and make your event a hit among the masses.

Read more relevant articles on https://www.charolottetimes46.com.