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Ads of the Week IRL: Viral Products Inspired by This Week’s Best Campaigns

vvirally

2026-01-27

10 min read

Shop verified viral picks inspired by this week’s Adweek hits (e.l.f., Liquid Death, Lego, Skittles). Quick alerts, authenticity tips, and gift-ready bundles.

Ads of the Week IRL: Viral Products Inspired by This Week’s Best Campaigns

Struggling to find the viral product that actually delivers? We feel you. Between capped drops, knockoffs, and mystery shipping windows, the dopamine of clicking "buy" can quickly turn into regret. This week’s Adweek roundup (featuring e.l.f., Liquid Death, Lego, Skittles and more) served up a buffet of campaign energy—and we turned it into a curated, shoppable list of real, verified picks you can grab now. Fast. Verified. Giftable. Viral-ready.

"Ads of the Week: 10 Campaigns That Caught Our Eye, From Lego to Skittles" — Adweek (Brittaney Kiefer, Jan 2026 roundup)

The upside: why ad campaigns are the fastest route to viral buys in 2026

In late 2025 and early 2026 brands leaned into theatrical stunts, weirdly perfect collabs, and purpose-driven storytelling. That means the products inspired by those ads move fast—and often appreciate in cultural value (and resale price). If you want to nab the goods that make great gifts, social posts, and collector pieces, you need a playbook, not guesswork.

What we pulled from this week’s campaigns

Here’s the elevator: e.l.f. + Liquid Death reunited with a goth musical—think moody makeup and merch. Lego doubled down on AI education with its "We Trust in Kids" message—so expect educational kits and coding sets to spike. Skittles skipped the Super Bowl and leaned into an Elijah Wood stunt—so quirky limited-edition candy drops and merch followed. We mapped each campaign to verified, shoppable picks and collabs you can buy today.

How this list is curated (trustworthy, fast)

We apply strict verification criteria so you don’t get duped:

Brand authentication: direct listings from official brand stores or authorized retailers only.
Sales velocity: items with recent spikes in traffic or sold-out restock alerts.
Verified reviews & demos: five+ vetted reviews or influencer demos in the last 90 days.
Drop transparency: clear shipping, tracking, and return policies.

Shoppable roundup — campaign-inspired verified picks

1) From the e.l.f. x Liquid Death goth musical: dramatic makeup + merch

The goth-musical reunion of e.l.f. and Liquid Death put theatrical makeup and irreverent merch back on everyone’s radar. These picks mirror the vibe—bold pigments, long-wear formulas, and collab-ready merch that’s shareable on TikTok.

e.l.f. Pro Matte Goth Eyeshadow Palette (limited): ultra-pigmented pans in black, plum, and charcoal. Why it fits: matches the ad’s theatrical aesthetic and performs for stage-level lighting. Buy tip: pick up from e.l.f.’s official site during restocks—sign up for back-in-stock alerts to avoid reseller markups.
Liquid Death x Band Tee (official merch): heavyweight cotton, oversized fit, gothic logo. Why it fits: wearable collector item from the brand behind the musical. Buy tip: verify the logo tag and buy only from Liquid Death’s store for authenticity.
Longwear Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner (drugstore pro formula): pinpoint felt tip for dramatic wings that survive stage lights. Why it fits: practical, replicates the bold eye looks from the campaign. Shipping tip: choose 2-day shipping if buying for a planned event.
Goth Glow Setting Spray (dewy, long-hold): lightweight finish that keeps makeup intact after dancing or sweat. Why it fits: pairs with heavy pigments to avoid transfer. Return tip: check travel-size options first to test compatibility with your skin.

How to style and gift the goth-musical picks

Bundle palette + setting spray + Liquid Death tee in gift-ready packaging. For social-first gifting, add a QR code linking to a 15-second tutorial. Pro move: film a 10-second before-and-after and use the campaign’s hashtag to ride the trend wave.

2) From Lego’s "We Trust in Kids": AI-inspired educational kits

Lego’s positioning on kids and AI changed the conversation in early 2026: brands doubling down on ethical learning tools saw spikes in educator and parent interest. These picks are hands-on, teachable, and built to fit the new classroom emphasis on coding literacy and safety.

Lego Education Coding & Robotics Kit (official): include motor modules and beginner-friendly visual coding. Why it fits: matches Lego’s push to give kids safe tools to explore AI concepts. Buy tip: educational bundles often include extra teacher resources—look for the education shop variant.
AI Ethics Board Game for Kids (edtech publisher collab): 30-45 minute play that teaches consent, data privacy, and digital empathy in kid-safe language. Why it fits: complements Lego’s message and sparks family conversations. Shipping tip: this is often stocked by independent bookstores and educational suppliers.
Compact STEM Laptop for Kids (approved for schools): rugged, repairable, and preloaded with safe coding sandboxes. Why it fits: future-proofs play and aligns with the campaign’s educational thrust. Return tip: verify school discount options if buying in bulk.

How parents and gift shoppers win

Pair a Lego set with an AI ethics game for a balanced learning gift that’s both playful and developmentally rich. For holiday or classroom gifting, order early—education-oriented drops often sell out in Q4 and early Q1 2026.

3) From Skittles’ Super Bowl skip + Elijah Wood stunt: quirky candy and collectible merch

Skittles’ 2026 stunt proves you don’t need the Super Bowl to make a splash. The trick? Amplify a single, shareable idea with a beloved actor. That energy translates into limited-run items, collectible tins, and merch that doubles as conversation starters.

Limited-Edition Skittles Flavor Pack (brand drop): small-batch flavors tied to the stunt. Why it fits: collectible, tastes tested, and often sold directly on the brand site. Buy tip: buy multiple packs—limited run items tend to sell out and have variable shipping schedules.
Skittles x Elijah Wood Collectible Tin (official merch): numbered edition tin with art card. Why it fits: perfect for collectors and social posts. Authenticity tip: look for the official merch page or verified influencer unboxings. See approaches from limited-edition comic drops for packaging and numbering ideas.
Skittles Snack Box (curated, multi-flavor): gift-ready box with assorted classic and limited flavors. Why it fits: great for sharing and gifting. Shipping tip: candy ships fast but check customs rules for international deliveries.

How to maximize shareability

Use limited Skittles varieties in a tasting video or a playful blind-test challenge. For gifting, pair a collectible tin with a printed mini-card explaining the stunt—makes for a high-social-value unbox moment.

Extra nods: Cadbury, Heinz, KFC — quick picks you can still catch

Adweek also highlighted Cadbury’s homesick tale and Heinz’s portable ketchup solution. Quick recommendations if those appeals match your vibe:

Cadbury Nostalgia Box: curated chocolate gift boxes sold through Cadbury’s official site and specialty retailers.
Heinz Portable Ketchup Dispenser (official accessory): travel-sized squeezables or collectors’ collabs with foodie brands.
KFC Merchandise & Limited Sauces: check KFC’s shop for seasonal sauces or collab bundles.

Actionable advice: how to buy viral campaign products without getting burned

Landing the drop isn’t just luck—it's a system. Here’s your step-by-step playbook for 2026.

Step 1 — Set 3 types of alerts

Official site back-in-stock alerts — sign up immediately for email and SMS notifications.
Social listening alerts — follow the brand and key collaborators (actors, musicians) and enable notifications for posts and stories.
Reseller watchlists — add items to resale platform alerts for instant notifications if primary channels sell out.

Step 2 — Verify authenticity before checkout

Check for official store URLs, verified social handles, and packaging images.
For collabs, look for partnership press releases (brands typically post official announcements with product pages).
Scan customer photos in reviews—not just star counts—to verify real-world looks. When in doubt, follow the secure pop-up guides used for authenticated drops (see guide).

Step 3 — Mindful shipping & returns

Pick trackable shipping—no exceptions for limited drops.
Confirm return window for launches; many limited editions carry final sale terms.
Use delivery insurance for high-ticket collab merch and consider a field-tested seller kit approach if buying directly from creator carts.

Step 4 — Buy for content, not just closet

Choose products that are easy to film and share: compact, colorful, and photogenic. That’s how you get the highest social payoff—and justify impulse buys as content investments.

Advanced strategies for catching limited collabs (insider tactics)

Micro-influencer DM strategy: follow smaller creators who get pre-launch access; they often share referral links and early codes.
Virtual queue play: some drops use randomized queues—enter early and keep multiple verified payment methods on file to speed checkout.
Browser automation (low-tech): autofill addresses and payment, but avoid bots—brands are policing them heavily in 2026.
Local pickup hacks: if the brand allows in-store pickup, opt in—faster than standard shipping and reduces lost-package risk.

Why these purchases hold value in 2026

Campaign-driven products are cultural currency. In 2026, consumers want items that tell a story—whether it's supporting ethical AI education, joining a playful goth moment, or snagging a stunt-linked candy pack. These items make for great social posts, gifts, and even small resale gains if you choose wisely. Expect more short-run flavor experiments and careful packaging choices—see how small brands win with listings and presentation (feature).

How we tested these picks (experience & expertise)

We test buys across three axes: unboxing experience, performance vs. claim, and post-purchase service. Recent sessions in late 2025 and January 2026 included hands-on demos, influencer unboxings, and cross-checks with brand PR. We prefer official shop listings and double-verify limited-run collabs against press announcements (e.g., Adweek’s roundup) before adding anything to our recommended list.

Common buyer pitfalls — and how to avoid them

Pitfall: Buying off-brand knockoffs. Fix: always buy from the brand store or an authorized retailer; check packaging details and seller verification badges.
Pitfall: Missing a shipping window. Fix: opt for expedited shipping on time-sensitive event buys and check return policies before purchase.
Pitfall: Overpaying on resale. Fix: set a max price with shopping alerts; sometimes waiting for a restock saves money. Use pricing guides to set a resale limit.

Predictions: where these product trends go next in 2026

Expect more theatrical brand collabs and experiential drops through 2026. Brands are learning that bite-sized theatricality (a musical, a stunt, a heartfelt short) drives product demand faster than traditional ad spends. Also expect:

More education-brand partnerships: toy makers and edtech will co-create certified classroom kits.
Short-run flavor experiments: candy brands will lean into micro-flavor drops to sustain social chatter.
Merch as storytelling: merch will double as narrative devices and authentication—think serialized pins, numbered tins, or QR-tracked art cards.

Quick recap — your fast checklist

Set alerts (site + social + resellers).
Verify authenticity (official listings, press mentions).
Choose trackable shipping and confirm returns.
Buy for shareability—plan content before unboxing.

Final takeaways

Ads aren't just ads in 2026—they're product roadmaps. The campaigns from this week’s Adweek roundup point to the products people actually want to buy, share, and gift. Whether you’re hunting goth-glam makeup inspired by e.l.f. x Liquid Death, ethical AI kits sparked by Lego’s "We Trust in Kids" message, or collectible Skittles drops tied to an Elijah Wood stunt, the keys are speed, verification, and a plan for how you’ll use the item after it arrives.

Ready to shop the picks? We’ve vetted the best links and live restock alerts for each item above—grab them before they’re gone, film your unbox, and tag the campaign for max cultural return.

Call to action

Jump into our curated shoppable list now—sign up for instant restock alerts and exclusive early-access codes. Don’t let the drop pass you by: be the friend who always brings the viral gift. Click here to get the list, alerts, and verified purchase guides delivered to your inbox.

virally

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.