5 Ways to Refresh Your Summer Marketing Strategy (And What We Can Learn from the Greats)

Summer is the season of sunshine, spontaneity, and sales—but it’s also the perfect time to hit refresh on your marketing strategy. Whether you're navigating slower months or gearing up for a big Q4, July is your chance to infuse your brand with energy, creativity, and purpose. 

Let’s break down five smart ways to revitalize your summer marketing—with a little inspiration from some of the most iconic summer campaigns of all time. 

1. Lighten Up—Your Messaging and Visuals 

Summer is a mindset. Make your messaging match the season: fresh, relaxed, and visually bright. Swap out heavy language or overly technical jargon for more fun, relatable phrasing. Incorporate seasonal visuals—think bold colors, beach vibes, and lifestyle shots. 

Campaign Inspiration: Old Navy’s annual summer sales campaign consistently uses punchy colors, real families, and a dose of humor to make the brand feel fun and inclusive—exactly what summer should feel like. 

💡 Try This: Create a seasonal content kit using summer-friendly colors, fonts, and a few sun-soaked stock photos or client shots. 

2. Bring the Heat with Short-Term Promos or Flash Sales 

Short attention spans and summer distractions call for urgency. Build excitement with limited-time offers, countdowns, or weekly pop-up promotions. Make it feel exclusive, energetic, and something your audience doesn’t want to miss. 

Campaign Inspiration: Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign—launched in Australia’s summer and eventually global—used limited edition packaging to drive immediate social and emotional engagement. People couldn’t wait to find their name. 

💡 Try This: Create a “Pick Your Promo” day where followers vote on an exclusive deal they’ll unlock by the weekend. 

3. Ride the Wave of Seasonal Trends 

Tapping into what's trending—whether it’s a meme, a summer holiday, or a pop culture moment (hello, Taylor Swift tour)—can give your brand some timely visibility. But don’t just jump on a trend—make it your own. 

Campaign Inspiration: Corona’s “Find Your Beach” didn’t sell beer—it sold a lifestyle. They leaned into escapism and turned it into year-round branding magic. 

💡 Try This: Host a summer social media series like “Marketing Tip Tuesdays” or “Friday Refreshes” with a seasonal spin. 

4. Re-Engage Your Audience with User-Generated Content 

Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your brand over the summer. Whether they’re using your product at the beach or simply working smarter during slower months, UGC adds authenticity and drives community. 

Campaign Inspiration: Starbucks’ #RedCupContest (while winter-based) is a brilliant example of how customers love to co-create. You can easily flip this to summer with a branded hashtag and themed challenge. 

💡 Try This: Launch a photo contest: “Show Us Your Summer Workflow” or “Where You’re Making Waves.” 

5. Audit, Adjust, and Realign Your Goals 

Use the slower summer pace to check in. What’s working? What can be optimized? What needs to be cut? The most effective summer strategy is the one that sets you up for a strong fall finish. 

Campaign Inspiration: You don’t need to go viral like ALS Ice Bucket Challenge—which raised over $100 million in one summer—but you can create targeted moments that have lasting impact. 

💡 Try This: Review your top-performing content from Q2 and repurpose it with a fresh seasonal twist for summer. 

Final Thought 

Summer is too short to stay stuck in old routines. Refresh your strategy, ride the wave of creativity, and set yourself up for a strong Q3 and Q4. Whether you’re launching a flash promo or adjusting your brand voice for the season, a little summer shake-up can go a long way. 

🌊 Need help building a smarter summer campaign? That’s what we’re here for—drop us a line and let’s make waves together.