I’m sitting at my desk, catching up on industry news when I stumble across ADWEEK’s article—“Inside the Biggest Brand Activations at SXSW, Ranked.”

Naturally, I click.
I expect the usual: big budgets, flashy installations, a few influencer-studded parties.’’

But what do I find?
Is a lineup of branding moments so bizarre, so brilliantly executed, that I literally whispered to myself:

“Oh. This is branding done right.”

There were no passive posters or boring booths.
There were Aliens Breaking Windows, oat milk spas, and a literal talking tree giving life advice.

I didn’t go to SXSW. I didn’t need to.
Because just reading about it reminded me what bold branding really looks like.
And how, frankly, most brands playing it “safe” are also playing it forgettable.

So if you’re in the early stages of building your brand—or wondering why your current one isn’t landing the way you hoped—keep reading.

Let’s unpack what made these brand activations so damn good, and how you can apply the same thinking… without needing a million-dollar setup.

FX’s Alien: Earth – The Art of Full-Body Immersion

Reference: IndieWire

Let’s just get this out of the way: FX understood the assignment.

Instead of renting a room and slapping some promo posters on the walls, they created an actual alien invasion experience. Visitors were led through a crashed spacecraft scene by actors in hazmat suits, scanned for alien parasites (yep), handed blue flashlights to hunt for secret codes in tunnels, and just when they thought it was over—

BOOM.

An alien burst through a fake window.

Was it theatrical? Absolutely.
Was it completely over the top? For sure.
But here’s the thing—everyone remembered it.

My Takeaway?
Make your audience the main character. When people feel like they’re in your story, they don’t just engage—they remember.

Aveeno’s “Oat Oasis” – Calm Is a Power Move

Reference: @therealtarnanlamb on Tiktok

Amid the sensory overload of SXSW, Aveeno did the opposite of what you’d expect.

On the ground. No neon lights. No loud music.

Instead, they built a quiet, soft, plant-filled retreat—complete with oat milk lattes, oat-based pastries, hand massages, and even a psychic. It wasn’t just branding. It was a full-on nervous system reset.

And while it was subtle, it was also incredibly smart. Because while everyone else was shouting for attention, Aveeno whispered. And in doing so, they stood out even more.

My Takeaway?
Your brand doesn’t always have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes, the boldest move you can make is creating calm in the chaos.

Whataburger’s Museum of Art

Artwork reference

Texans love Whataburger. Like… love love it.

So Whataburger leaned in hard and built an entire art museum celebrating its own burger legacy—paintings, sculptures, even live art stations where attendees could contribute to the exhibit using… wait for it… burger stickers.

The whole activation screamed:
“We know who we are. We’re proud of it. And we’re going to have fun with it.”

My Takeaway?
Own your brand personality with zero hesitation. Audiences connect with brands that are confident in their identity—even if that identity includes crinkle-cut fries.

The Talking Tree – Weird, Beautiful, and Totally Genius

Reference: d5london on Instagram

A nonprofit wired sensors to a 50-year-old oak tree, gathered data on its moisture levels, wind exposure, and internal bioelectric signals… then fed all of that into a large language model that turned the info into actual conversations.

Yep. You could sit down and talk to a tree.And it would talk back.

Was it commercial? Not really.
Was it unforgettable? Without question.

And it raised a powerful reminder: sometimes, branding isn’t about selling.
It’s about inviting people into wonder.

My Takeaway?
Don’t be afraid to get a little weird. Create moments of pause. Give your audience something to feel. That is the brand experience.

So… What’s This Got to Do with You?

You don’t need a million-dollar setup to create unforgettable brand moments. What you do need is intention, creativity, and a willingness to do things a little differently.

Here’s how you can start building bold, beautiful brand experiences on a smaller scale:

1. Turn content into micro-experiences

Instead of just posting information, invite interaction. Think:

• A “choose your path” Instagram Story where your audience makes brand decisions
• A short, themed challenge (like “3 Days to Reset Your Routine”) delivered via email or reels
• A quiz that helps them discover their brand personality, skincare match, productivity type—whatever fits your niche

My tip: Use interactive tools (like Typeform or Polls) to add that “you’re in this with us” feeling.

2. Surprise and delight in the DMs

This one’s underrated.

Most brands treat DMs like a support inbox. You?
Let’s make it something more than that

Try:

• Record a quick voice note replying to someone’s question instead of typing it out—it’s way more personal and totally unexpected.
• Slide into a new follower’s DMs with a fun meme.
• Send a “no-reason” email to your top supporters just saying, “Hey, I appreciate you. Hope you’re having a great week.” That’s it. That’s the message

These small, human touches punch way above their weight.

Think of it as: customer service meets friendship energy.

3. Make unboxing (or onboarding) magical

Your product or service may be digital—but the experience can still feel tactile.

• Add a calming playlist or ritual to your client onboarding
• Drop a surprise bonus in your course materials
• For physical products: include a scent strip, tiny keepsake, or poetic thank-you card

True story: every time I meet with my mastermind group, we always kick things off with a meditation session. It’s amazing how just a few minutes of quiet sets the tone and brings us together.

Your onboarding can have that same calming, connected feeling.

If you ship physical products, add a little sensory magic: a scent strip, a handwritten note, or a tiny keepsake that feels meaningful.

The goal: make people feel like they’ve stepped into a little world crafted just for them.

4. Get delightfully weird

You’re not a corporation—you’re a brand with soul. So, be weird. Be wonderful. Be you.

• Give your offerings funny or unexpected names
• Write your “About” page like a love letter
• Add a weird-but-wonderful tradition (like naming your newsletter after a snack you’re obsessed with)

People remember weird. Let them.

5. Host a tiny moment of magic

Forget hosting a big fancy webinar with a countdown timer and custom slide deck.

Try something smaller. Warmer. More human.

• Invite your audience to a low-pressure Zoom coworking session with lo-fi beats
• Build a shared Pinterest board or artboard your community can co-create
• Host a mini “ritual” or routine livestream—a 10-min stretch, morning mantra, tea break

Experiences can be small, intimate, and still unforgettable.

Bottom line?

You don’t need to go viral.
You don’t need to go big.
You just need to go meaningful.

People aren’t looking for polished perfection anymore. They’re looking for something real.
So let your brand be the moment someone stops scrolling and thinks—
“Whoa. This feels like me.”

And when you create from that place? People won’t just follow. They’ll remember.

If this blog stirred something in you—an idea, a “that’s so me” moment, or even just the itch to finally start—don’t let it pass.

This is your sign to stop overthinking, stop waiting for things to be perfect, and start shaping a brand that actually reflects who you are and how you want to show up.

Here’s what I’d love for you to do next:

Send me a DM or email and tell me a little about your brand dream—even if it’s still messy or half-formed. I want to hear it.

I’m not here to sell you a 17-step funnel or throw strategy jargon at you. I’m here to help you bring your realest, boldest brand to life—with clarity, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.

Let’s create something people don’t just scroll past—
They stop, feel, and remember.