“Sweethearts” may be gone, but Valentine’s Day is still an opportunity for brands to show the love. Some companies are focusing on the traditional romantic aspects of the holiday while others are embracing the single life—and still are keen to do giveaways (including a bearskin rug).

We’re making a list of the innovative ways brands are marketing Valentine’s Day 2019.

We will be updating up to February 14.


Dyson Singapore Plays Cupid

Dyson Singapore posted a short video promoting their Valentine’s Day sale. The video shows an arrow—ostensibly cupid’s arrow—shot through Dyson hair dryers before popping a heart-shaped balloon. So far, 15-second video has garnered close to 700,000 views on YouTube.

Frankie & Benny’s Recreate Romantic Movie Moments

UK-based Italian-American chain Frankie & Benny’s recreated scenes from films like Lady and the Tramp and When Harry Met Sally for their Valentine’s Day Instagram post.

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Happy Valentine’s Day 💝 Can you name the films that inspired our 4 romantic movie recreations? 🎬🎞 Comment below! #FrankiesFilms #ValentinesAtFrankies

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Caulipower ‘CaulMeMaybe’ Campaign Eases Pizza Guilt

Caulipower, the maker of a cauliflower pizza crust, has built an OOH campaign for Valentine’s Day around people’s complicated “relationship” with pizza. The campaign is titled CaulMeMaybe—a cheeky reference to “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. Caulipower has set up the site CaulMeMaybe.com detailing deals and

The company conducted a study to analyze customers’ relationship with pizza. They found that three-quarters of Americans would eat more pizza if it was healthier and 37 percent of those surveyed would give up social media to eat all the pizza they want to without the guilt.

The campaign will have digital billboards in New York City’s Times Square and Chicago. Caulipower will also post a love letter in the New York Times on National Pizza Day, to win the hearts of Americans again with its healthier version.

 


KFC Launches Online Contest To Win Colonel Bearskin Rug

Kentucky Fried Chicken continues its irreverent streak, this time the company is offering a faux bearskin rug in the likeness of Colonel Sanders. The contest, exclusively on Reddit, will also give the lucky winners two fried chicken pajama onesies, a KFC gift card, and a year-long subscription to an online streaming service.

There are three ways to enter the contest: a photoshop battle, a storytelling challenge or a drawing duel—each one centered around romance. Additional details are here. The contest ends on February 10 and KFC says the prizes will be delivered in time for Valentine’s Day.


Potbelly Sandwich Shop Celebrates Singles With Free Cookies

Potbelly is celebrating self-love this coming Valentine’s Day. The company is running a promotion on V-Day that allows singles to come in and get free cookies, with the purchase of a sandwich or salad, including a limited edition red velvet cookie. According to the press release, customers can also enjoy a “special, yomantic music playlist devoid of slow jams, sappy duets or any lyrics that reference piña coladas or getting caught in the rain.”

Potbelly CMO Brandon Rhoten said in a statement, “if you are happily solo, we’re here for you, Potbelly will be a singles’ sanctuary, free of judgment. Basically, a simple sandwich paradise for those who don’t need anyone else to make them feel whole at this point in their lives.”


Dunkin’ Adds Dunkintines Cards 

On February 8, Dunkin’ will launch Dunkintines cards. The first 100 customers to get a dozen donuts will get a sheet of the Dunkintines. If you can’t make it, Dunkin fans can download and print them out.

Dunkin’ is also taking over a chapel in Las Vegas on February 9th and the first 100 couples that drop-in will be given an exclusive Dunkin’ bouquet for their ceremony or as a Valentine’s Day gift.


Hallmark Launches A ‘Missed Moments’ Contest

Hallmark is expanding its Paper Wonder cards—pop-up cards with intricate designs—and launching a new campaign for the upcoming holiday. The cardmaker started a nationwide Missed Moments contest, where fans can submit a moment from their relationship they feel needs a do-over.

The winners will win a weekend getaway and opportunity to recreate their moment at Hallmark’s creative headquarters. The campaign will also include influencer social posts, interactive digital ads, streaming audio and radio ads.


Terminix Will Send Your ‘Love Bug’ Chocolate-Covered Insects

The pest control service provider announced a way to show your loved one they’ve been “bitten by the ‘love bug'”—by sending them chocolate-covered insects on V-day, crickets in this case. The delicacies will be shipped in a heart-shaped box ready to be photographed for social media.

“Terminix is hoping to add a little fun with a twist on the typical Valentine’s gift this season,” said Terminix president Matthew Stevenson in a statement. “While we normally get rid of our customers’ pests, this Valentine’s Day we’re helping customers celebrate with chocolate-covered pests instead.”

If you and your partner are into insect treats, you can enter the online sweepstakes for a chance to win the free bug-filled chocolates.


Primanti Bros. Will Throw You A Wedding

Any couple who gets engaged on Valentine’s Day at a Primanti Bros.’ ‘Love at First Bite’ event can save some money and receive a free, all-expense-paid wedding ceremony.  The group wedding—officated by the restaurants’ brand ambassador Toni Haggerty—will be held at their original restaurant in Pittsburgh and Primanti Bros.’ “Almost Famous” sandwiches will be provided. 

Anyone interested just needs to show up and tell the general manager they’re going to pop the question.

“Sometimes folks–mainly guys–don’t need the added pressure of an expensive restaurant when they are trying to pop the question,” said Haggerty in a press release“Here, they can have fun, a great meal, and a free catered wedding ceremony to boot. It’s a no brainer.”


Planter’s Mr. Peanut And Dr. Ruth Answer Your Love Questions

The famous sex therapist, Dr. Ruth, and Mr. Peanut team up to give you love and life advice for Valentine’s Day. The discussion launched on Twitter and you can either ask your intimate question on the social media platform (for the world to see) or through her hotline. Dr. Ruth is trying to target a millennial audience to promote her updated book Sex for Dummies.


Green Giant Partners With Farmers Only To Find You Love

Green Giant and Farmers Only are coming together to find you a match this Valentine’s Day. They’re offering a free week of premium access on February 14—using the code “GreenGiant.” Don’t feel any shame in signing up, the Jolly Green Giant himself created an account in his effort to find his special someone. In his about yourself section, the giant writes “As a Minnesota country boy though, I’m pretty grounded. I love to cook, travel, and laugh. I’m looking for someone to love me as much as I love my greens.”


Insomnia Cookies Brings Back Two Favorites For Valentine’s Day

Insomnia Cookies is returning two famous cookies to their menu, the Red Velvet cookie and the Heart Shaped Cookie Cake. Fans can have the cookies delivered or picked-up until 3 a.m. and you can even ship the cookies nationwide. The two items are only available for a limited time until February 18.


‘Qdoba For A Kiss’ Returns To Help Hungry Kids

Qdoba Mexican Eats is launching its ‘Qdoba for a Kiss’ promotion again this Valentine’s Day. The restaurant will be offering a free entree’ when a customer kisses anyone or anything and purchases an entree’ of equal or greater value. If you love your burrito bowl, you can kiss it and it will count—all kisses are welcomed.

Additionally, from February 8-14 Qdoba is partnering with No Kid Hungry to raise funds to help end childhood hunger. Diners can donate $1 or more to the campaign at a Qdoba and they can also post #QDOBAFORAKISS on their social media accounts and the chain restaurant will donate $1 to the nonprofit for each post containing the hashtag.

“Qdoba for a Kiss is our longest-running promotion,” said Jill Adams, VP of marketing at Qdoba in a press release. “We’ve been hosting this promotion for nearly a decade and what makes it especially unique is how many of our guests have made ‘Qdoba for a Kiss’ a Valentine’s Day tradition that they celebrate with their family and friends every year.”