Example
It's Number 1.
The bull.
At the heart of it, these tactics work because they don’t just sell a product — they sell a feeling. Red Bull taps into something humans all understand: the desire to feel alive, to be part of something bigger, to wear a symbol that means energy and courage. A casual shopper might see a can, but a fan sees a badge, a reminder of moments when life felt fast, bold, and unforgettable. That’s why Red Bull’s marketing sticks — it doesn’t just talk to the brain, it talks to the human spirit.
No.1
Casual consumers usually respond to simple things: a price promotion, a colorful ad, maybe a funny commercial. But obsessed fans? The brain is wired differently. What really works is when the brand connects directly to the passion.
Red.
For Red Bull, that means motocross riders, dirt bikes, and extreme sports. Seeing a familiar athlete wearing a Red Bull helmet or pulling off a daring stunt doesn’t just advertise the drink — it transfers the thrill of the sport to the brand itself. This works because of associative learning: the brain links the logo with the rush of adrenaline and the memory of heroes
WIIINGS.
Design also plays a big role. The sharp blue-and-silver can, the charging bulls, even cartoon-style ads — they all stand out more to someone who already connects Red Bull with excitement. Neuroscience calls this salience: the more emotionally relevant a cue is, the louder it feels in the brain. For an extreme fan, the Red Bull logo doesn’t whisper from a store shelf, it shouts.
Tight
These tactics might fly under the radar for a casual shopper. But for someone deeply tied to the culture Red Bull sponsors, every logo, every rider, every piece of merch is a trigger. The marketing isn’t just selling a drink; it’s reinforcing an identity.
