If this were March, by now we’d be swimming in excitement as International Women’s Day drew closer. You know, all that buzz and heat as brands rallied to celebrate women. But as for November? Crickets, folks.
It’s been way too quiet here in our corner of the world, and honestly I’m not okay with that.
Major kudos if your brand has a little something up its sleeve for International Men’s Day, which, if you didn’t know, is on November 19th. If you’re caught off guard, I won’t judge. Just open your calendar, set that reminder, and let’s make sure we do it justice this year.
Before I dive in, here’s a little confession: five of eighteen ideas here have already gone out to some brands with a little extra twist tailored for each. Hopefully, they don’t catch me sharing the goods, but hey, sharing is caring, right?
So, in the spirit of bringing International Men’s Day the celebration it deserves, here are impactful campaign ideas you can “steal” to support, engage, and celebrate men in meaningful ways this November.
1. A Day in His Shoes Stories Takeover
My favourite of all!!! Just because it’s lo-fi and requires minimal brain work. Now think of any public male figure you’ll love a glimpse into their day.
I can think of UBA GROUP doing a day in the life series of Tony Elumelu or seeing what a typical day in 2baba’s life looks like from Airtel’s POV. Another crazy idea is a day in the life with Professor Yemi Osibanjo featuring Lamido Sanusi! Imagine listening to all the gems of greatness these men will drop that day alone!! Another one can be Knorr doing a day in the life with Chef Fregs. You get my point.
Let a male public figure, an influencer, customer, or team member take over your Stories, giving followers a peek into a day in his life.
Execution: Feature short clips on how he balances work, wellness, and play. This humanizes your brand and adds an authentic touch. Besides, people love aproko, give them what to talk about
2. The Modern Man Conversation
Masculinity, let’s unpack it, shall we? Modern men face real pressures around what it means to “be a man.” Open a conversation that invites men to explore these themes, from vulnerability to work-life balance, in a supportive, non-judgmental way.
Execution: Partner with a male mental health advocate or an expert, and run a video series or Instagram Stories where they talk shop on resilience, self-care, and self-expression. It’s about creating a safe space for men to see themselves, feel seen, and take part in the conversation.
3. Men Who Inspire Series
Everyone’s got that one man they look up to, the friend who’s unshakeably kind, the boss who leads with heart, or the brother who’s always there. Shine a light on these men! Share stories of male customers, team members, or folks in your industry who embody qualities like resilience, kindness, or leadership.
Execution: Run this as a week-long social series, letting each story build on the next. Each post can end with a small shout-out, encouraging followers to tag the men they admire. People love a chance to give a little public appreciation and it fosters a feel-good community vibe around your brand.
4. Strong & Healthy Wellness Guide
Who says a little health advice can’t be a gift? Create a mini guide focused on men’s health, something that’s easy to digest but packed with tips on fitness, diet, and mental wellness. It could be a downloadable PDF or a swipe-through guide on Instagram.
Execution: Tease out tips on social media to whet the appetite, then offer the full guide through a mailing list signup. “Snag the Guide” posts can go a long way in creating that “for-him” feel while quietly reinforcing that self-care is for everyone.
5. Male Role Models Appreciation
Sometimes, a shout-out says it all. Celebrate male role models whether they’re team members, industry icons, or mentors who’ve left a positive mark. Highlight achievements, share inspirational stories, and encourage your followers to tag the role models they admire.
Execution: Create a simple, visually engaging post celebrating these men, maybe with a personal quote or anecdote. It’s a warm, easy campaign that lifts people up and recognizes the power of male role models.
6. Just for Him Product Bundle or Special Offer
Who says men can’t treat themselves? Give them a reason to splurge with a special bundle or product offer, just for him. Think self-care products, grooming essentials, or something that’ll make him feel like he’s getting the royal treatment.
Execution: Brand it as a “Treat Yourself” moment for men or position it as the perfect gift for the men in customers’ lives. A well-timed sale is a nudge to show that self-care can be simple, accessible, and yes, even fun.
7. Be Kind to Yourself Men’s Mental Health Campaign
Mental health check, anyone? Too often, men are encouraged to just “tough it out.” This campaign flips that by sharing gentle reminders for men to check in on their mental health, from rest reminders to affirmations about self-worth.
Execution: Post daily affirmations tailored to make men feel seen & heard. Each post can carry a message to help break the stigma around men’s mental health. It’s simple, encouraging, and designed to hit home.
8. Unspoken Male Support Series
Let’s talk about the unspoken stuff. Fatherhood challenges, loneliness, vulnerability, all these things men are often silent about. Create a series of posts that acknowledge these realities and offer support.
Execution: Share carousels or Stories that touch on these topics. It’s a simple but powerful way to remind men they’re not alone and that it’s okay to prioritize well-being.
Related: 18 creative campaign ideas for gratitude month
9. Battle of the Beards Challenge
Nothing says light-hearted fun like a beard challenge! Invite men to share their best beard looks or grooming tips, adding some friendly competition to the mix.
Execution: Host it on Stories and use a hashtag to track entries. The winner could be featured on your page or receive a small prize. This taps into the fun side of male self-expression, making it relatable and highly shareable.
10. Father Figures & Mentors Tribute
Whether it’s the uncle who always had your back, the coach who inspired you, or the mentor who changed your path, pay tribute to these men.
Execution: Gather user-generated content where followers share stories or photos of these important men. Feature select stories on your page with permission, creating a warm, inclusive campaign that celebrates the men who matter.
11. Men at Work Behind-the-Scenes: Mini-Documentary
Take followers behind the curtain to meet the men on your team and see what they do.
Execution: Share quick interviews with each team member as Stories or Reels, sharing their role and what International Men’s Day means to them.
12. Mental Health Monday for Men
Give men practical mental health advice in bite-sized posts, tips on decompressing, communicating better, or managing stress.
Execution: Short posts or Reels with actionable advice keep the focus on men’s mental health. Aim for easy, actionable steps.
13. Strength & Vulnerability Video Series
Start a video series on how men balance strength and vulnerability because being both is part of modern masculinity.
Execution: Feature men sharing personal stories about this balance. Make it real, relatable, and impactful with short, engaging video clips.
14. Men Who Inspire Change Campaign
Shout out male activists and thought leaders who’ve driven change, whether it’s in mental health, social justice, or the environment.
Execution: A carousel post series with quotes and bios highlights these inspiring men, positioning your brand in support of positive social movements.
15. Health & Wellness for Men
Let’s be real: self-care isn’t just scented candles and bubble baths. For men, it might look like a morning run, a good meal, or five minutes of peace. Create a “daily wellness tip” campaign that’s simple, practical, and encouraging men to look out for themselves.
Execution: Use Instagram Stories or a carousel post for bite-sized tips on stress management, exercise, and self-care. Just the essentials, making it easy for guys to save and revisit. Not only does this position your brand as supportive, but it also reminds men they deserve self-care beyond their daily grind.
16. The Modern Man Gift Guide
Create a curated guide with gift ideas for men, making it easy for people to find something special.
Execution: Share items from your brand as part of a “Modern Man Gift Guide,” and make it downloadable. A thoughtful touch for International Men’s Day.
17. Real Men Reflect: Story Highlights
Feature men sharing a piece of advice, their favorite motivational quote, or what International Men’s Day means to them.
Execution: Compile these reflections in a Story highlight. It’s easy to revisit, and each story adds a personal, meaningful touch to your campaign.
18. Men Making a Difference
Highlight men in your community, customers, employees, or partners who give back or make a difference.
Execution: Share individual posts on each man and his contributions. Each post can encourage followers to support their own communities.
Bonus: Real Talk Memes for Men
Sometimes, you just need a good laugh. Tap into the everyday humor of modern life as a man, from gym fails to classic “dad jokes.” A little light-hearted content goes a long way.
Execution: Post a series of funny memes or relatable jokes, and watch the engagement roll in. It’s low-pressure but highly engaging perfect for making people smile.
So there you have it, a campaign toolkit to celebrate International Men’s Day in a way that feels thoughtful, authentic, and above all, engaging. Whether you’re going for inspiration, humor, or a serious call to action, these ideas are ready to spark connection and make sure the men in your audience feel seen, heard, and celebrated.
Don’t just celebrate, create moments they’ll remember.
Which campaign resonates with your brand the most?
In my next post, I’ll be sharing fresh campaign ideas for Black friday and kicking off holiday prep, so you’ll have plenty of content ready to roll before December rushes in.
See you soon 😁
Your Favourite Content Strategist
JD