Modern consumers, especially Gen Z and younger Millennials, don’t just want to see your brand. They increasingly seek to feel it, touch it, interact with it, and share it. They tend to value experiences that go beyond billboards and screens—experiences that can help create an emotional connection.

Fortunately, it can be quite achievable to create memorable experiences that encourage loyalty and inspire word-of-mouth. A thoughtful combination of brand activation services and creative customer experiences can significantly enhance any brand’s presence. Read on to discover how you might approach this for your brand.

Make Your Brand Touchable: The Value of In-Person Interactions

For younger consumers raised in digital environments, tactile experiences often stand out. Elements like touch, sound, scent, and atmosphere can foster stronger emotional connections than static branding typically does.

Here are some ideas that may inspire you:

• Custom scent branding (used effectively by brands like Abercrombie & Fitch)

• Texture walls or color therapy installations

• Live product customization (engraving, embroidery, etc.)

• Flash tattoo or nail art booths at brand pop-ups

And don’t overlook your older Millennials and Gen X audience. Consider offering private shopping experiences or appointment-based previews that combine exclusivity with convenience.

There is a notable positive effect linked to memorable in-person brand interactions. Research suggests that around 91% of consumers report feeling more positively toward brands after such experiences. Additionally, approximately 85% of consumers indicate they might be more inclined to purchase from the brand’s offering following these interactions.

Use Immersive Technology to Amplify Presence

Younger audiences often expect innovation and tend to engage more with brands that use emerging technology in intuitive and surprising ways. Here’s how you could bring your brand to life with immersive tools:

Virtual Reality (VR)

Create branded VR experiences that immerse users in new environments.

For example, the shoe company TOMS donates shoes to children in need. With their Virtual Giving Trip, they invited customers to join a donation journey to Peru via a VR headset, turning the brand’s values into a shared experience.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Use AR filters or apps that overlay branded content onto the real world. IKEA’s Place AR application is a notable example.

The IKEA Place app allows consumers to explore, experiment, and share how furniture designs might transform their spaces through their smartphones. All featured products appear in 3D and true to scale.

This approach is not limited to furniture. Some fashion brands use AR mirrors to enable virtual try-ons of garments in-store, combining convenience with high-tech appeal.

Pro Tip: Collaborate with brand activation services to establish immersive tech stations at retail locations or events. Combining AR with gamification could enhance engagement further.

Holographic Displays

Holograms tend to attract attention, from outdoor live events to in-store experiences. They can be used to highlight product launches, introduce new brand mascots, or share stories about sustainability and brand values.

Create Shareable, Story-Worthy Experiences

For many younger consumers, if something isn’t Instagrammable or TikTok-worthy, it might not gain traction. Brands can benefit from this by encouraging fans to share their experiences.

Many companies actively promote social media engagement. For example, beauty brand Glossier encourages customers to post selfies.

Activation tips include:

• Setting up selfie stages with professional lighting

• Offering exclusive merchandise drops at specific locations

• Using branded “mystery boxes” or lockers that unlock through social engagement

Pro Insight: Moments that are interactive and surprising tend to be shared more frequently, potentially increasing awareness and creating viral loops.

Connect Emotionally Through Storytelling

Memorable experiences go beyond physical touchpoints; they evoke emotion. Sensory storytelling helps link your brand’s narrative to customers’ personal memories.

Hospitality giant Airbnb exemplifies this with their “Night At” and “Belong Anywhere” campaigns, which use storytelling to demonstrate how their brand helps people feel at home anywhere.

To incorporate storytelling for your brand:

• Use ambient music tailored to your brand identity

• Offer tastes connected to your product’s origins or inspirations

• Incorporate “choose-your-own-path” elements that allow users to personalize their journey

Pro brand activation tip: Develop multi-sensory campaigns that combine on-location experiences with opportunities for social sharing. This approach encourages consumers to share their stories organically.

Build Loyalty with Experiences, Not Just Discounts

Younger consumers often value how a brand makes them feel more than straightforward discounts. Traditional loyalty programs based on points or coupons can seem transactional, whereas loyalty formed through experiences feels more personal.

Alternative strategies include:

• Inviting your most engaged fans to exclusive, closed-door events

• Rewarding referrals with unique experiences rather than merchandise

• Recognizing community milestones through acknowledgment, not just perks

For more mature demographics seeking sophistication and surprise, consider offering exclusive wine tastings, gallery nights, or alumni-style experiences.

Summary

In today’s experience-first economy, a brand’s success frequently depends on how well it engages the senses, surprises customers, and leaves a lasting impression. There are many approaches to bringing your brand to life—from immersive VR and AR technologies to personalized in-store moments.

With a healthy dose of creativity and the support of expert brand activation services, your brand can evolve into something truly memorable and distinctive.