As we recently celebrated Jess’s milestone birthday, her favourite holiday pairs perfectly with that moment. Back in April, Jess visited her top destination of Dubai for an early treat to the sun. Her postcard captures one of the standout highlights of her trip, a stay in the world‑famous Burj Al‑Arab. From the royal blues inspired by the hotel’s luxury branding to the soft pinks of those breathtaking sunsets, the design is bold, vibrant, and impossible to ignore. That same energy sparks a bigger question for us as marketers: what makes a campaign hot?

When the temperature rises, so do the expectations of your target market – and a hot campaign knows exactly how to bring the heat and get all the attention!

A great summer campaign taps into the season’s energy: the longer days, the lighter nights, the spontaneous getaways, and the unmistakable feel-good factor of the sun shining. But it’s not just about bright colours and ice-cream emojis, it’s about smart marketing that captures attention, stirs emotion, and drives action.

So what really makes a campaign sizzle?

Seasonal Storytelling: People don’t just want products in the summer, they want experiences. Hot campaigns tell stories that evoke memories of road trips, BBQs, festivals, or beach days. They speak to a summer mindset: freedom, fun, and living in the moment. That emotional connection is what stops a scroll, and turns it into a sale.

Bold, Sunny Branding: Summer is the perfect excuse to turn up the saturation both visually and tonally. Campaigns that pop with vibrant visuals, playful typography, and sun-soaked content naturally catch the eye. Seasonal tweaks to your brand identity can make your message feel timely, fresh, and full of life.

Relatable, Real-Time Content: The best summer campaigns feel like a conversation happening now. Whether it’s tapping into heatwaves, festival culture, or end-of-school chaos, real-time marketing adds relevance. Social-first formats like Reels, Stories, or TikToks keep campaigns grounded in how people consume content during the summer, quick, light, and mobile.

A Clear Summer Hook: What makes this summer your moment? A compelling hook… whether it’s a limited-time offer, a giveaway, or a branded experience, make sure you give your audience a reason to act. Summer is short, and we know that the dreary UK weather is probably just around the corner, so urgency, plus creativity = conversions...

Do you need help with your marketing campaign nailing the essentials to make it hot? Our Strategi Creative team are on hand. For more information on how we can help, click here.