The temps aren’t the only thing heating up; brands are bringing the energy this season with influencer campaigns that punch above their weight. We’re spotlighting three recent standouts that prove just how far smart strategy, cultural fluency, and creative execution can take you.
Pinterest x Chamberlain Coffee
Pinterest teamed up with Gen Z favorite Emma Chamberlain and her brand, Chamberlain Coffee, to launch a limited-edition Sea Salt Toffee blend and matching merch—available exclusively through shoppable Pins. Emma even curated a behind-the-scenes board, giving fans a closer look at the creative direction behind the drop.
The collaboration aligned with Pinterest Predicts’ “Fisherman Aesthetic,” turning trend forecasting into a product moment. The result? A campaign that felt both curated and current.
Why This Works: This wasn’t about forcing a fit—it was about leaning into an organic alignment. When influencer campaigns feel natural, they hit harder. The takeaway: the strongest creator partnerships don’t reshape the creator to fit the brand. They happen when the brand taps someone who already lives their values and speaks to their audience.
Airbnb x Local Influencers
This summer, Airbnb set out to reframe the travel narrative, from places to stay to experiences worth remembering. Through lifestyle and wellness creators spotlighting local gems in their own cities, the brand anchored the campaign in authenticity.
A luxe launch event in LA served as both a creative backdrop and community hub, giving influencers the tools to tell their own stories while reinforcing Airbnb’s role in real-world, real-life moments.
Why This Works: Big-name talent isn’t the only way to make an impact. By tapping into local voices, Airbnb expanded its relevance, showing that meaningful influence doesn’t always come with a blue check. These partnerships helped the brand feel more personal, more accessible, and ultimately, more memorable.
Buffalo Wild Wings x Kendall + Kaylor
To spotlight its “Bottomless Apps” summer promo, Buffalo Wild Wings teamed up with “Love Island” USA’s Kendall and Kaylor, with a fun twist. The two indulged in bottomless apps…while going bottomless themselves.
The campaign played into the cultural heat of the “Love Island” universe, riding the wave of fan energy and perfectly timed relevance.
Why This Works: Culturally in-sync partnerships drive results. “Love Island” dominates summer screens and social feeds, and Buffalo Wild Wings jumped in at just the right moment. By matching a timely offer with familiar, fan-favorite faces, they made sure the message landed with impact and stayed in the conversation.
Before You Hit “Send” On That Influencer Brief
Don’t lock in your next creator partnership until you ask yourself:
- How well does this creator already reflect our brand values?
- Could a local voice bring more authenticity than a macro name?
- What cultural or seasonal moment does this collaboration intersect with?
Thoughtful consideration will make all the difference between a campaign that lands and one that misses the mark.
