
Experiential Marketing: The Future of Advertising
At ON Advertising, we’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. However, one shift we’re not only excited about — we’re all ON for — is experiential marketing.
You’ve probably heard the term tossed around at marketing conferences or in between sips of overpriced oat milk lattes. But what is experiential marketing, really? And why are brands (the smart ones, anyway) putting more of their budget into experiences over traditional ads?
Let’s dive in.
What is Experiential Marketing?
In short, experiential marketing is all about engaging consumers in real-life, interactive experiences. These can be pop-up installations, live events, product demos, immersive environments, and so much more. Basically, anything that gets people off their screens and into your brand’s world.
Unlike traditional advertising, which talks at your audience, experiential marketing invites them to play, taste, touch, and experience your brand firsthand. It’s the difference between seeing a pizza commercial and walking into a surprise pizza party hosted by the brand — complete with a selfie wall, local artists, and a mysterious guy in a pepperoni suit. (Don’t worry, we’ve got contacts. That pepperoni guy is gonna be huge!)
This is the kind of engagement that really sticks with people, and that’s the magic.

Why is Experiential Marketing the Future?
In a world of short attention spans, endless content, and consumers who can smell a sales pitch from three scrolls away, experiential marketing bulldozes through the noise.
It drives higher engagement and stronger brand recall. When someone has an emotional or memorable experience with a brand — instead of just seeing an ad — they’re far more likely to remember it, talk about it, and (most importantly) become loyal to it.
It also fuels organic brand advocacy. People love sharing cool experiences on social media, and nothing says “Look at me! I’m a trendsetter!” like tagging your friends in a video of you ziplining into a giant branded ball pit. (We’re sure this happened before.)
Most importantly, experiential marketing meets the evolving demand for experiences over things. Especially among Millennials and Gen Z, it’s not about what you buy — it’s about the stories you can tell. And if your brand can create exciting and meaningful stories that are fun to tell? You win, hands down.
Key Elements for Experiential Marketing Success
Of course, you can’t just slap a logo on a balloon and call it a day. Successful experiential marketing requires a few key ingredients:
- Clear Goals: What are you trying to achieve — awareness, leads, loyalty? The experience should be built with a strong purpose.
- Defined Audience: Know who you’re targeting and tailor the event accordingly. (Sorry, your grandma may not be into your VR skateboarding demo.)
- Authentic Brand Alignment: The experience should feel genuinely connected to your brand identity, not just trendy for trendy’s sake.
- Creative Execution: This is your moment to shine — be bold, be weird, be unforgettable.
- Call to Action: Whether it’s signing up, following, purchasing, or sharing, always give your audience the next step (without killing the vibe).
A Real-World Example We’re Excited About
One experiential campaign we’re especially proud of is happening right now in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We’re collaborating with local artist David Santiago and Blake’s Lotaburger to create a community-driven mural experience. David will begin by painting the outline of a mural on the side of a Blake’s Lotaburger location. The following week, members of the community will be invited to help fill in the mural with color — transforming it into a vibrant, collaborative art piece that celebrates local culture and creativity.
To top it all off, we’ll be hosting an unveiling event the next weekend featuring live music, local vendors, art activities, photo opportunities, and appearances by Blake’s Lotaburger ownership, employees, the artist, and members of the community. It’s more than a mural — it’s an immersive, meaningful brand moment that invites people to take part in something lasting.
Challenges & Considerations
Now, we couldn’t call ourselves a full-service agency if we didn’t keep it 100. Experiential marketing isn’t always easy. Measuring ROI can be tricky. What’s the value of a smile? A TikTok video? A long-term relationship? (We can help you answer all of those questions, by the way.) It can also be resource-intensive. Think big ideas, bigger logistics. Budget, staffing, permits — the unglamorous backbone of any great activation. And of course, there’s the safety and planning piece. We love a crowd, but not chaos. Smooth execution comes from precise prep and a team who knows what they’re doing. (Hi, that’s us.)
Experiential marketing is more than a buzzword — it’s the future of advertising. And at ON Advertising, we’ve got the creativity, strategy, and logistical muscle to bring your brand to life in unforgettable ways.
Ready to get on it? Let’s create an experience worth talking about.

ON Advertising is the Largest Minority-Owned, Full-Service Advertising Agency in the Southwest
We are the largest minority-owned full-service agency in the Southwest and we did not get there by accident. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business grow to the next level.
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