Brands Latch Onto Halloween for Creepy Campaigns

The research gave rise to a spot called “Vampire” starring an anti-social nightwalker and her cheerfully gardening neighbor, who’s planted a whole mess of garlic. That obviously doesn’t sit well—hissing ensues—and the vamp lists her house.

Though fourth quarter, with its cluster of holidays and activities, can be daunting, “we wanted to remind homeowners that selling a home during the fall and winter months can also be the right move,” according to David Corns, CMO of Opendoor.

“Vampire” comes from Emmy-winning director duo Sean and Ryan McIlraith and Eva Nosidam Productions.

Spine-chilling swag

Siblings in the Boston Beer Company, Angry Orchard and Samuel Adams have jumped on the stunt bandwagon, a common holiday-pegged tactic, with separate programs from creative agency MullenLowe. 

Angry Orchard hard cider launches a trick that looks like a treat in the form of a sneaky Hide & Shriek Prank Pack. While the cans appear to be ordinary spiked ciders, they actually release “a startling surprise—the angriest blood-curdling scream” when opened, per the brand, giving those who are punked a jump-scare but no booze to soothe their frazzled nerves. 

That’s naughty or, in brand-speak, “knotty.”

Halloween gives companies “permission to be playfully unfiltered,” according to Matt Withington, senior director of marketing at Angry Orchard, who noted that there will be repeated product drops of the decoy six-packs through the month.

‘A cold Sam Adams’

Meantime, popular craft brew Samuel Adams has developed a cheeky at-home séance kit that’s meant to conjure the spirit of its namesake, the long-gone American statesman. Hence the tagline, “share a cold Sam Adams with a cold Sam Adams.”