Key takeaways:
- Carl's Jr. is celebrating its 85th anniversary by launching My Carl's Jr. Ad, a user-generated content contest with an $85,000 grand prize for one winning fan.
- Fans are invited to create and submit a 30-60 second video inspired by the brand's iconic advertising on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts using #MyCarlsJrAd and #Carls85th through August 7.
As Carl's Jr. marks 85 years in business, the brand is choosing to celebrate by handing the creative spotlight to its customers. Through the "My Carl's Jr. Ad" contest, fans have the opportunity to produce their own take on the brand's memorable advertising for a chance to win $85,000. Entries can be submitted across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, with the campaign encouraging participants to showcase their creativity while amplifying Carl's Jr.'s presence across social platforms.
Rather than relying solely on traditional anniversary marketing, Carl's Jr. is using user-generated content to drive engagement and extend the campaign's reach organically. The public voting component also encourages ongoing participation beyond content creation, creating multiple touchpoints for customers to interact with the brand throughout the campaign.
Why it matters:
- The campaign demonstrates how brands can turn milestone celebrations into interactive experiences that generate authentic, customer-created content.
- By combining a significant incentive with social media participation, Carl's Jr. is encouraging customers to become brand advocates while expanding its organic reach.
- The contest reflects a growing trend of using user-generated content and community engagement to build stronger customer relationships beyond traditional advertising.
Learn more
here.