To infinity and beyond: 10 brands that are launching their marketing campaigns into space

We all know that in the last few years the world of marketing has dramatically shifted. Changes in technology have led to the emergence of social media platforms like TikTok, alongside the expansion into new spaces like the metaverse. 

Another technological frontier that marketers are currently making the most out of is Space. 

From floating in the international space station to virtual moons and exploding rockets we’ll be exploring how 9 brands are (quite literally) reaching for the stars.

1. Silhouette Eyewear

When you think of space, glasses might not immediately spring to mind. But astronauts, perhaps even more than us, need strong eyesight.

Silhouette, the luxury eyewear company, is the preferred provider of glasses for a leading space agency. Since 2000, their screw-free TMA models have spent more than 11,000 hours in space on over 60 missions. 

During international space week, Silhouette celebrated its special use with its ‘A Vision from Space’ social campaign. On their Instagram, you’ll find aesthetic shots of space and their products in collaboration with space influencer Alyssa Carson, whilst on their website there are blogs with all the extra details. 

2. Estee Lauder

In 2020 Estee Lauder also sent their products to explore the frontiers of space. 

Rather than choosing to spend a portion of their budget on influencer collaborations, they sent 10 bottles of their Advanced Night Repair serum to the International Space Station (ISS). 

Photographed in the cupola in front of planet earth, the bottles featured in social media campaigns and a pop-up event. One of the bottles was even auctioned off for charity.

3. Omega Watches

Luxury eyewear isn’t the only high fashion piece to grace the earth’s atmosphere. 

Omega Watches was chosen by NASA in 1962 for its missions, becoming an official NASA partner in 1965 when it was authorised for use on its piloted missions.

Nicknamed ‘The Moonwatch’ Omega’s Speedster was the first watch worn on the moon in July 1969 and since then has been worn on all six lunar landings. 

Omega keeps the history of its brand well and alive by posts remembering the anniversary of the moon landing. They also released an updated model of the watch to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

4. Tesla

Tesla stands out from our examples as one of its products now permanently lives in space orbiting the sun.

When his Space X rocket needed a test payload, Musk provided a solution in the form of a Tesla Roadster fitted with a fake driver nicknamed Starman. Launched into a 557-day orbit around the sun, since February 2019 it has covered nearly 2.2 billion miles according to its tracking website. 

5.UAE

In February 2019 the sky over Dubai gained two extra Moons. 

Rather than the earth gaining two extra planets in its orbit, these were virtual projections of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos to celebrate the UAE’s Hope mission to explore the atmosphere of Mars.

Though this isn’t exactly a brand in space, it was a pretty creative way to celebrate the first ever planetary science mission led by an Arab-Islamic country.

6. Under Armour

The commercialization of space by companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic has brought exciting new opportunities for brands.

A great example is Under Armour which announced its partnership with Virgin Galactic, a space flight company founded by Richard Branson, in 2019. 

The partnership has collaborated upon an array of space suits together as well as the cabin seats for the first SpaceShipTwo vehicle, VSS Unity. There’s also a collection available to the general public. It’s definitely some futuristic fashion.

7. Apple

Though Apple hasn’t quite launched itself physically into the atmosphere, its marketing team is certainly working hard to put its brand up there. 

On its Instagram, you’ll find special effect shots of planets taken with an iPhone 13 pro, and photos with a distinctly space aesthetic. 

What’s more, the official iPhone 14 event invite features an Apple logo made out of stars with the accompanying theme of ‘Far Out’. Could this be a clue of what’s to come?

8. Red Bull

With 126 million views on YouTube, Red Bull’s jump from space is probably one of the most well-known space marketing stunts. In 2012, millions watched live as Felix Baumgartner, strapped with a parachute, jumped from the edge of space. 

His 36402.6-meter free-fall was the outcome of years of preparation and broke several world records. It was certainly an inventive way to associate the brand with the adrenalin feeling that it’s well known for.

9. Miiller

Whilst this stunt didn’t quite make it to space, it certainly receives recognition for effort. In 2021, Miller created a marketing campaign declaring their intent to launch a seltzer rocket into space.

Following a video ad where they described their attempt to launch their seltzer ‘into oblivion’, they live-streamed a ‘launch’ . With over a million views on Twitter, the ‘failed’ launch uses CGI to show the seltzer exploding. It definitely stands out from the other brands using space to market their products.

Like this article? Follow us on LinkedIn for content marketing tips and knowledge.