Google has posted a red AIDS ribbon below the search bar on its homepage that directs users to a list of resources where people can “learn”, “act”, and “give” to help and raise awareness for people living with HIV/AIDS. (See screenshot below)

By turning Facebook’s tagging system into a contest, Ikea achieved one of those elusive social media goals — they got their campaign to go viral. For the cost of a few items, the company raised awareness, engaged with consumers and helped publicize the launch of a new store.

To advertise the launch of Ikea’s new store in Malmo Sweden, Ikea’s ad team, Forsman & Bodenfors, “kidnapped the most popular function” of Facebook. They created a profile for the store’s manager, Gordon Gustavsson, and over a two week period the team uploaded 12 pictures of store showrooms to his profile page.

Swedish Facebook members were encouraged to add Gordon as a friend and tag themselves to products in the showroom. The first person to tag an item then won that Ikea product.

Facebook users that tagged themselves then shared the action with their friends via their news feed. But also, people excited about the contest publicized it themselves. The pictures spread to thousands of profile pages, newsfeeds and links.

Beyond the creative, it only cost Ikea a few free items. And by using Facebook’s existing functionality, Ikea and its marketing team were able to achieve that elusive social media goal — consumer engagement and promotion without the cost of an expensive TV, print or digital campaign.