This Halloween, Pepsi and Coca-Cola sparked a viral marketing moment without lifting a finger—thanks to fan-made ads that lit up 9GAG and social media feeds worldwide.
Pepsi’s Bold Move: A Coke Costume and a Scary Wish
Pepsi fans fired the first shot with a creative image showing a Pepsi can wearing a Coca-Cola cape, captioned: “We wish you a scary Halloween.” The clever visual played on classic horror tropes—suggesting that dressing up as Coca-Cola is the ultimate fright for a Pepsi product.
Despite going viral, the image didn’t come from Pepsi’s official marketing channels. It was a user-generated post that took off on platforms like 9GAG, Reddit, and Twitter, racking up thousands of shares. The humor and brand rivalry made it perfect meme material—and marketers took notice.
Pepsi Halloween Advert: “We wish you a scary Halloween” (Unofficial)
Coca-Cola’s Comeback: “Everyone Wants to Be a Hero”
Coca-Cola fans didn’t stay quiet. Another unofficial image quickly emerged, flipping the narrative. This time, the same image appeared, but with a new message:
“Everyone wants to be a hero!”
The twist? It positioned Coca-Cola not as something scary—but as something aspirational. Again, this wasn’t released by Coca-Cola officially, but the viral spread made it feel like a smart brand response.
Coca-Cola’s Response: “Everyone wants to be a hero” (Unofficial)
A Lesson in Viral Halloween Marketing
Neither brand officially released these Halloween ads, but both Pepsi and Coca-Cola gained major visibility through the power of fan creativity. It’s a case study in how user-generated content can shape public perception and amplify brand narratives.
This playful exchange proves that when it comes to brand rivalries, even unofficial ads can fuel massive engagement—especially around seasonal moments like Halloween. Whether you’re team Pepsi or Coca-Cola, it’s clear both brands know how to stay top of mind—sometimes by letting their fans do the talking.
