TikTok has quickly evolved from a trend-setting platform into a powerful advertising machine for brands across industries. If you’re looking to launch your own TikTok campaign but don’t know where to start, studying successful TikTok ad campaign examples can provide the clarity and creative direction you need.
Whether you’re a small business or a global brand, these ad campaigns prove one thing: TikTok rewards authenticity, storytelling, and creativity.
TikTok ad campaign examples
Why TikTok Ads Work
TikTok ads aren’t like traditional social media ads. They:
- Appear natively in users’ feeds
- Blend seamlessly with organic content
- Are often short, entertaining, and relatable
- Allow direct interaction (likes, comments, shares)
Combined with TikTok’s powerful algorithm, your content can quickly reach a massive audience—even without a huge budget.
Now, let’s dive into some top-performing TikTok ad campaign examples that crushed it.
1. Fenty Beauty – User-Generated Content Power
Fenty Beauty leveraged everyday creators to promote its foundation. They encouraged TikTokers to show before-and-after makeup transformations, using the hashtag #FentyFace.
Why it worked:
- Real people = real trust
- TikTok’s beauty audience loves transformations
- Smart use of native music and filters
Fenty Beauty
👉 Check out our social media UGC guide to learn how to apply this strategy to your own brand.
2. Dunkin’ – Influencer Magic with Charli D’Amelio
Dunkin’ collaborated with TikTok star Charli D’Amelio to promote a custom cold brew drink. The campaign involved:
- A branded hashtag challenge: #CharliXDunkinContest
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Exclusive product drop
Result:
300% increase in app downloads and a 57% rise in cold brew sales.
Lesson: Choose influencers who genuinely align with your brand.
3. Guess – The Viral Hashtag Challenge
Guess ran one of the first successful TikTok ad campaigns with the #InMyDenim challenge. They asked users to show off their outfit glow-up while wearing Guess denim.
Key success factors:
- Simple and engaging concept
- Trendy music choice
- Timed around back-to-school season
📌 Want to build your own viral hook? Check out our article on ad creatives that convert on TikTok.
4. NBA – Behind-the-Scenes Gold
Rather than polished ads, the NBA leaned into locker room celebrations, bloopers, and fun moments. Their TikTok content made players feel relatable.
Why it matters:
Audiences love authenticity. You don’t need high production—just great moments that connect emotionally.
External Inspiration: Check out TikTok for Business’s Success Stories
5. Scrub Daddy – Small Brand, Big Impact
Scrub Daddy went viral by showing funny and oddly satisfying sponge-cleaning videos. They didn’t rely on ads—they used TikTok’s native style to spark engagement.
Later, they used Spark Ads (boosted organic posts) to scale what was already working.
Tip: Don’t start with a sales pitch—start with something scroll-stopping.
6. E.l.f. Cosmetics – Custom Music Track
Their campaign #EyesLipsFace included a custom music track, which encouraged users to create their own makeup videos. It quickly became one of the most viral branded campaigns ever on TikTok.
Results:
- 5 million user-generated videos
- 7 billion views
- Massive brand lift across social
Pro Tip: Create a soundtrack or voiceover users can remix.
7. Ryanair – Low-Budget, High-Engagement Content
Ryanair, the European budget airline, became a TikTok sensation using funny memes and low-budget effects, like the flying face filter.
Why it works:
- It humanizes the brand
- It leans into internet humor
- Their content feels native and not like an ad
How to Build Your Own TikTok Ad Campaign
Inspired by the above examples? You don’t need millions of dollars to succeed on TikTok. But you do need:
- A clear objective (awareness, traffic, or sales)
- Creatives tailored for TikTok’s audience
- A/B testing strategy
- Influencer collaboration or UGC
- Fast action on trends
Ready to Launch Your Winning TikTok Ad Campaign?
Let’s create a campaign that actually converts and doesn’t just look good.
👉 Book your free 20-minute strategy session and get custom ideas based on your niche, audience, and goals.
TikTok is changing how brands connect with customers—and the best part is, you don’t have to be a huge brand to win. By studying these TikTok ad campaign examples, you can reverse-engineer what worked and apply it to your own business.
Start small, stay creative, and always think like a TikTok user—not a marketer.
Have questions or want personalized help building your first campaign? I’m here to help. Let’s grow your brand on TikTok—authentically and strategically.
