Valentine’s Day in Digital Marketing: How Brands Are Winning Hearts

 

• Why it worked: Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day, and 5 Star successfully tapped into this audience with humour and relatability.

Hershey’s India — Sweet Messages of Love

Hershey’s India took a heartfelt approach with its #SometimesLoveSoundsLike campaign. Instead of focusing only on romance, Hershey’s highlighted different sounds of love — a mother’s comforting words, a friend’s laughter, or the rustling of a chocolate wrapper being shared. The campaign used storytelling, user-generated content, and influencer collaborations to make an emotional impact.

• Why it worked: It celebrated love in all forms, making it relatable to more than just couples.

Zomato & Swiggy — Love (and Food) is in the Air

For food delivery giants Zomato and Swiggy, love = food! Their Valentine’s Day campaigns feature quirky tweets, witty app notifications, and meme-worthy content like “Love is temporary, Biryani is forever.” They also personalize offers and messages based on user preferences, keeping engagement high.

• Why it worked: Humor + personalization = instant engagement.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk — #SayItWithSilk

Cadbury Silk is almost synonymous with Valentine’s Day in India. Their campaigns, like the “Kiss Me, Close Your Eyes” jingle, have created a strong emotional connection with young couples. Every year, they launch touching, romantic campaigns that reinforce chocolate as a symbol of love.

• Why it worked: Strong brand association with romance and a tradition of successful campaigns.

BigBasket — Love Delivered

BigBasket made last-minute Valentine’s gifting effortless with same-day delivery, curated hampers, and personalized messages. Their social media campaigns featured influencer collaborations and creative reels, showcasing easy gifting solutions.

• Why it worked: Convenience and personalization made gifting seamless for customers.

 

What Brands Can Learn from These Campaigns

• Emotion Always Wins — Whether it’s humour (5 Star, Zomato) or heartfelt storytelling (Hershey’s, Cadbury), brands that connect emotionally see higher engagement.
• Relatable & Interactive Content Works — Witty notifications, memes, and interactive social media posts encourage sharing and engagement.
• Personalization & Gifting Drive Sales — Brands that offer customized products, limited-edition packaging, or special discounts see a boost in conversions.
• Following Social Media Trends is Key — Using trending formats like Instagram Reels, TikToks, and influencer collaborations helps brands expand their reach.

Conclusion

 

Valentine’s Day marketing isn’t just about selling products — it’s about creating memorable experiences. Indian brands are blending humour, storytelling, personalization, and social media engagement to make an impact.