13 Big Brands That Are Crushing it with Content Marketing

Content marketing costs 62% less than outbound marketing. And it generates more than three times as many leads.

So it's no surprise that big brands continue to pour their heart and soul into their content.

Wouldn't you?

Since they've got gigantic budgets, and you probably don't, let's learn from what they've done.

Here are 13 big brands that are crushing it with content marketing:

Denny’s

Denny’s blog is a downright hilarious collection of user-generated content, upbeat notes of encouragement, and silly food humor. It’s definitely a marketing “grand slam.”

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Lyft

Need a lesson in brand storytelling? Look no further than Lyft’s #whyILyft stories, which tells the human stories of Lyft drivers and passengers. Uplifting, smart, and visually stunning.

(Learn more about Lyft and Uber’s content marketing showdown here.)

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Cheerios

Relevancy is something all content marketers have to strive for, and Cheerios hit the mark.

One example: their #HowToDad ad on YouTube, which captures what modern dads are all about – coolness, hands-on parenting, and being awesome.

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Maybelline

Maybelline’s blog is a real beauty when it comes to content design and social integration – perfectly capturing the looks and attidutes of the selfie generation.

It features social buttons and interactions on site, making it incredibly easy and natural for the user to engage.

(Learn more about the top beauty brands in content marketing here.)

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Taco Bell

Brands who value a lively tone of voice would to well to check out Taco Bell’s social media content.

It has a healthy following of 614k on Instagram, and lots of engagement on every post.

[Image source: insights.newscred]
AT&T

If there’s one thing you can say about AT&T when it comes to branded content, it’s that they are not afraid to experiment on different platforms.

On the heels of its successful social media series called @SummerBreak – which was essentially a reality show for Millennials that ran two seasons and earned more than 60 million views – this year, AT&T sponsored SnapperHero, the first scripted Snapchat series starring Snapchat, Vine and YouTube influencers.

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Coke

You have to admire the way Coke keeps pushing for creative content, even as one of the world’s most valuable and established global brands.

Their “Share A Coke” campaign was a standout campaign of 2014, and it’s still going strong this year. Coke’s digital content keeps interactive features at the forefront.

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Red Bull

Red Bull is always on the top of branded content lists with its unending commitment to high-octane digital content. Producing content at this level requires a journalistic level of commitment to capturing events on the ground (or, in some cases, in outer space) and no one does it better.

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Doritos

Doritos is usually best know for its user-generated content touchdowns (like having consumers produce and pitch their Super Bowl commercial through social media).

This summer, they tried something new by offering exclusive, 3D video content around its new Jacked 3D snack.

As a mobile-only campaign, fans actually use the snacks to unlock access to the 3D videos. (Learn more about Doritos’ UK marketing campaigns here.)

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Whole Foods

Blogs help brands shore up loyalty: if you can give the consumer good content at home, they’re going to come back to your site or storefront full of ideas about what they need to purchase.

Whole Foods’ blog expertly plays its content to a healthy-living audience with a mix of recipes and tips.

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Home Depot

Home Depot’s creative Vine feed is the stuff of content marketing dreams.

Their content on the platform features everything from quickie DIY project how-tos to cool uses for old products. It’s one of the best uses of Vine out there — and 7.6 million loops agree.

A bigger catalogue of in-depth how-to content can be found on The Apron Blog.

[Image source: insights.newscred]
Disney

Disney news, quizzes, and more fun stuff, all for the Disney-obsessed?

It’s no wonder why OhMyDisney! is so popular among those who love the Mouse.

Taking a page right out of Buzzfeed, it classifies content into categories like “yum,” “silly,” and “oh, snap!” while guiding potential vacationers on their way to a purchase.

Virgin America

The airline’s Flyer Feed blog is fun, fresh, and aimed to make readers want to jet set in style.

From aiport and destination secrets to fun fleet coverage, Virgin America is flying high on content.

Learn more about their vacation-focused content marketing strategy as well as their vision to disrupt the hotel industry.