Disruptive Marketing: Because Playing It Safe Is for Losers

Let’s be honest, most marketing is just there. You scroll past it, ignore it, maybe even roll your eyes at another ‘revolutionary’ brand using the same five Canva templates. But then there’s disruptive marketing. The kind that makes you pause mid-scroll, send it to your group chat, and say, ‘Okay, this is actually genius.’

Disruptive marketing isn’t about being loud for the sake of it. It’s about showing up differently, flipping the script, and making people feel something. If you’re not doing that, well... enjoy blending into the void.

What Even Is Disruptive Marketing?

It’s marketing that refuses to be ignored. It breaks industry norms, challenges expectations, and makes people uncomfortable in a good way. It’s not just an ad, it’s a statement. And the best part? It actually works.

Brands like Liquid Death, Duolingo, and Wendy’s have cracked the code. They don’t just sell, they entertain, they shock, they make their audience obsessed with their brand. That’s the goal.

How to Be Disruptive Without Just Being Annoying

1. Stop Trying to Please Everyone

Disruptive marketing isn’t for the fragile. If you’re worried about offending literally anyone, you’re already watering it down. Play it too safe and you’ll be as forgettable as another ‘bold and innovative’ LinkedIn post. Spoiler: nobody cares.

2. Have an Actual Personality

Your brand can’t be ‘fun’ on TikTok and ‘corporate robot’ in emails. Pick a lane. If your entire strategy is ‘trying to go viral,’ you’ll end up sounding like your uncle who just discovered memes. Be funny, be bold, be real, but most importantly, be consistent.

3. Make People Feel Something

Good marketing is a scroll. Disruptive marketing is a reaction. Make them laugh, make them mad, make them question their life choices, just make them feel something. People don’t remember ‘meh.’ They remember ‘WTF?!’

4. If You’re Not Risking a Boardroom Panic Attack, You’re Not Doing It Right

If your marketing idea doesn’t make at least one executive nervous, it’s probably not disruptive enough. Some of the best campaigns in history started with, ‘We can’t do that... can we?’

The Takeaway? Stop Being Boring

Playing it safe is cute if you want your brand to collect dust. But if you actually want to stand out, be bold. Be unexpected. Be the brand people talk about, not just scroll past.

And if you need help, Blumm Creative was built for this. Let’s make something that actually makes noise.