How Brands Celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4th
Peter Claridge
May 6, 2016 • 6 min read
Updated on May 8, 2019
Note – This post was first published in 2016, it has been updated recently in April, 2019.
Star Wars day is something that has grown and grown in popularity with each passing year. The Internet, and in particular, Twitter, loves a good, obscure day to celebrate (think Ed Balls day) and Star Wars day offers the perfect combination of geek, mass appeal and opportunity for pun-filled content.
Here’s how Star Wars Day has grown over the years.
If you think that this growth is astronomical, you are right. Unmetric has tracked a staggering 5,500% growth in Star Wars day content being published by brands since 2012!
The hashtags for the big day include:
- #MayTheFourth
- #MayThe4th
- #MayTheFourthBeWithYou
- #MayThe4thBeWithYou
- #starwarsday
In 2018, #starwarsday was the most-used hashtag by brands with 2,678 tweets. I’ve picked out what I consider to be the best pieces of brand content from #maythefourth over the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 based on the engagement and interactions that they’ve received. Let’s take a look at what worked for the brands.
See the latest Star Wars Day posts
Star Wars Day 2018
1. Lush Cosmetics
I’d suggest this as a travel essential if you ever plan on taking an Intergalactic hop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiX9Cxxg2Is/
2. Corvette
Looks like you don’t need a Starship to experience the feel of a hyperdrive.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXMtv6Af-Q/
3. Lego
Fans were really impressed with Lego’s version of the Starfighter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXn0mBnuBk/
4. Airbnb
Airbnb has nailed it with this post on Bubble houses that closely resembles the ones on the Star Wars movies.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiW4t10h_ex/
5. Stance
R2D2 and C3PO never looked better than this!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiX1NgdAVAP/
See the latest Star Wars Day posts
6. Funko
Glow in the dark Supreme Leader Snoke? Say no more.
RT & follow @OriginalFunko for the chance to win an #SDCC 2017 exclusive 6-inch glow-in-the-dark Supreme Leader Snoke Pop! #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/jFd2sKx1tH
— Funko (@OriginalFunko) May 5, 2018
7. Twix
Oh, the Force is definitely dark with this one!
Eat a TWIX Dark you must. #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/OdrVz0Mj1P
— TWIX® (@twix) May 4, 2018
8. American Tourister
American Tourister has got you covered for your intergalactic travels.
9. Uber India
Looks like Uber added a funky spin to its logo in light of the star wars day.
10. McDonald’s
Here’s McDonald’s take on the path to order.
Star Wars Day 2017
1. Star Wars
I’m just gonna say “The Force is strong with this one” and leave it to that.
Happy #StarWarsDay! #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/uMdgDse3t5
— Star Wars (@starwars) May 4, 2017
2. Funko
Fonku seized the moment and released a retro Cantina Aliens 3-pack collectibles featuring Greedo, Hammerhead and Walrus Man based on the original Kenner action figure designs from the 1977 toy line.
RT & follow @OriginalFunko for the chance to win a @Walmart exclusive Cantina Pop! 3-pack! #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/RuggEerzVs
— Funko (@OriginalFunko) May 4, 2017
3. Disney
Poe’s buddy and our favorite, the adorable droid BB-8 does have interesting lightsaber moves.
BB-8 is ready for #StarWarsDay after a little lightsaber practice. #MayThe4thBeWithYou #StarWarsBlips pic.twitter.com/LUM1pCZh7d
— Disney (@Disney) May 4, 2017
4. Roku
We wish more brands were like Roku – wanting the best for their fans.
💥#MayTheFourthBeWithYou #Giveaway 💥
RT & follow to enter for a chance to win a #Roku Express! #StarWarsDay pic.twitter.com/V08129xMYb
— Roku (@RokuPlayer) May 4, 2017
5. Purina Cat Chow
As we can see, this cat is quite Force-sensitive!
Mmm. Strong with this one, the Force is. #MayTheFourthBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/eCuW2Cyk57
— Purina Cat Chow (@PurinaCatChow) May 4, 2017
See the latest Star Wars Day posts
6. Porsche
Well played Porsche! The iconic scene ingrained in our collective consciousness is re-imagined by Porsche.
Happy Star Wars day! #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/W2r3kPqTre
— Porsche (@Porsche) May 4, 2017
7. Disney Pixar
We are impressed Disney. Can’t wait to see more in Toy Story 4!
Judge us by our references, do you? #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/KwmJhT17KC
— Disney•Pixar (@DisneyPixar) May 4, 2017
8. Boomerang
Intense lightsaber dueling from Tom and Jerry, just like Obi Wan and Vader!
The Fourth is strong with this one. #MayTheFourthBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/RpfSf9yXFP
— Boomerang (@BoomerangToons) May 4, 2017
9. Genius
The digital media company has an ingenious take on Star Wars. The Galactic Empire led by Snoop Dogg and Darth Vader!
#MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/hIQdXgARu0
— Genius (@Genius) May 4, 2017
10. Assassin’s Creed
Star Wars and Assassin Creed crossover is the kind of thing you dream about and write fan fiction on. For now, this fan art should do.
#MayThe4thBeWithYou Assassins! | 🎨 by JustineTutubi >> https://t.co/j25hyYGFqa… pic.twitter.com/jGpEvqngni
— Assassin’s Creed (@assassinscreed) May 4, 2017
See the latest Star Wars Day posts
11. Federal Aviation Administration
United States’ Federal Aviation Administration shows its lighter (and the geekier) side.
It was a very long day for the only FAA accident investigator on Jakku. https://t.co/iUqspznrHm #MayThe4thBeWithYou #StarWarsDay pic.twitter.com/aodGmR0CBU
— The FAA (@FAANews) May 4, 2017
12. Gillette Stadium
Smart and sweet wordplay from the home stadium of New England Patriots, who won their fifth Super Bowl title in 2017.
#MayThe4thBeWithYou… but the 5th is with us. pic.twitter.com/Dx1cqVqVI6
— Gillette Stadium (@GilletteStadium) May 4, 2017
13. Texas A&M University
Probably the best university to study cause they know how to keep their students happy.
#MayThe4thBeWithYou, Aggies! 👍 #StarWarsDay pic.twitter.com/kuyYBC4lGJ
— Texas A&M University (@TAMU) May 4, 2017
14. Xbox
Subtly reminding us to get on with Star Wars Battlefront on our Xbox.
Happy #StarWarsDay. #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/HeKi5O8qWh
— Xbox (@Xbox) May 4, 2017
15. NAMI
National Alliance of Mental Illness pays their homage to Carrie Fisher who played the role of Rebel Alliance’s greatest leader and reminds us to fight our mental battles like Princess Leia.
In honor of Carrie Fisher, who shared her #mentalhealth journey w/ the world ✨🌎 #MayTheFourthBeWithYou #StarWarsDay #MentalHealthMonth pic.twitter.com/BLnXPQdBGT
— NAMI (@NAMICommunicate) May 4, 2017
See the latest Star Wars Day posts
Star Wars Day 2016
1. NASA
I love the fact that NASA had to clarify that Mimas looks like the Death Star. As if NASA has any followers that haven’t seen Star Wars!
That’s no moon! Oh wait… Saturn’s moon Mimas resembles the Death Star: https://t.co/L7dQKRgD7e #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/7xZMptAWFS
— NASA (@NASA) May 4, 2016
2. Heathrow Airport
I wonder if Obi-Wan Kenobi would say that you’ll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than at Heathrow?
Today sees the inaugural flight of the newest aircraft to fly from Heathrow! #MayThe4thBeWithYou #AHubForTheGalaxy pic.twitter.com/aEN0vaRYnX
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) May 4, 2016
3. Nissan
It might be 12 parsecs kind of fast but has it helped blow up two Death Stars and come with secret smuggling bays?
The GT-R: It’s less than 12 parsecs kind of fast. #MayThe4thBeWithYou #OMGTR pic.twitter.com/IMqqi91jcs
— Nissan (@NissanUSA) May 4, 2016
4. Taco Bell
This tweet from Taco Bell was promoted on Twitter and the creative was used across Facebook and Instagram as well.
I will finish what you started. #MayTheFourth pic.twitter.com/fCqQ1sOmTI
— Taco Bell (@tacobell) May 4, 2016
5. Android
When 2,780 days you reach (yes, I calculated), look so good you will not. (But Android will always look good to me).
#MayThe4thBeWithYou, today. pic.twitter.com/aueEpA6l5S
— Android (@Android) May 4, 2016
See the latest Star Wars Day posts
6. Falken Tire
One way to get involved in the conversation is to run a contest to win Star Wars goodies. This tweet was also promoted by Falken.
Star Wars Day #giveaway ! RT to enter to win! Winner picked tomorrow. #MayTheFourth Rules: https://t.co/7uQfUeI9Qk pic.twitter.com/I6bNu6qTy5
— Falken Tire (@FalkenTire) May 4, 2016
7. Greenpeace
Nice wordplay here from Greenpeace. Protect the forests, we must. Indeed.
Protect the forests, we must. #MayThe4th pic.twitter.com/UrtdMncscB
— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) May 4, 2016
8. Domino’s
Aren’t you kind of tasty for a Stormtrooper?
You could say the Force is with us. #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/9LdiOydwC4
— Domino’s Pizza (@dominos) May 4, 2016
9. Xbox
Sage advice from the folks at Xbox, unless of course you like your arms to be ripped off.
It’s #StarWarsDay.
Let the wookie win. #Maythe4th pic.twitter.com/0UV7gOPuY3— Xbox (@Xbox) May 4, 2016
10. GoPro
Now strapping a GoPro to the front of a Pod Racer, that’s something we at Unmetric would like to see!
Photo of the Day! #MaytheFourth be with you! Matthew Burdzy proves even the Empire needs some R&R. #GoPro #StarWars pic.twitter.com/0bBqaIqHia
— GoPro (@GoPro) May 4, 2016
See the latest Star Wars Day posts
11. Downy
But there is good in it, I can feel it.
Keep your clothes on the dark-side with Downy Fabric Conditioner. #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/rKfmYgQyFt
— Downy (@Downy) May 4, 2016
12. MyDigi
I can’t believe the Jedi council would approve of such frivolous use of the Lightsaber.
Anyone want some toast? RT if you had a good #breakfast this #MayTheFourth. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/MfIehAH00T
— Digi (@mydigi) May 4, 2016
13. Rolls-Royce
If the Naboo Star Ship is the Rolls-Royce of star ships, what does that make the Millenium Falcon?
On #Maythe4th 1904, our founders joined forces. A long time ago in a hotel far, far away… https://t.co/6YYbjj4cvp pic.twitter.com/MshUCFfFaS
— Rolls-RoyceMotorCars (@rollsroycecars) May 4, 2016
14. Stone Brewing Company
Hopefully available in your local friendly Mos Eisley cantina!
This IS the beer you’re looking for. Stone Enjoy By 05.04.16 Black IPA #MayTheFourth pic.twitter.com/NQRfUil3VN
— Stone Brewing (@StoneBrewingCo) April 24, 2016
As the D-Day for the upcoming “Solo: A Star Wars Story’ is getting closer, we are anxiously waiting for the story of the younger Han Solo. We are also hoping for more creative content from brands for Star Wars Day this year. If you are looking for content inspiration, check out Discover and access 500 million pieces of branded content published by over 100,000 major brands over the last 5 years!
