Tinder Campaign Celebrates Gen Z’s Authentic, Fluid and Beautiful Connections

Tinder launched its first-ever global brand campaign, “It Starts with A Swipe,” celebrating the vibrancy, beauty and possibilities that Tinder offers its millions of users, from the hetero-normative to the sapiosexual gender fluid to everything in between. The campaign is evocative of modern day fairy tales, featuring different possibilities, in a vibrant, electrified dating journey.

“Tinder daters have changed the state-of-the-date by tossing out traditional views and are embracing unconventional experiences and a whole new vocabulary and we are excited to be able to reflect their reality through a vibrant and lush imagery in our campaign. We were inspired by this new generation and how uniquely they look at themselves and their dating lives.” said Melissa Hobley, Tinder Global Chief Marketing Officer, who is bringing alive the brand’s vision through this global campaign.

Powered by Tinder Daters

The campaign aims to challenge everything people have thought about Tinder, including hook-up perception. Recent data shows that long term relationships are Tinder members number 1 Relationship Goal, with 31% of Gen Z members looking for a long term relationship (going up to 40% with all members globally) and only 14% looking for a short-term connection. Tinder is the place for everything 18-25 year old singles want in their dating experience, from honesty and authenticity to diversity and inclusion.

Inspired by this new generation of daters, “It Starts With A Swipe” not only celebrates a diversity of possibilities, but also genders, orientations and multiculturalism, all produced with a diverse cast and crew that reflects the fluid and inclusive attitude that is so inherent to Tinder.

Hobley continues: “Defined as a one night stand ten years ago, only 25% of young daters believe a hookup is defined in the same way today. Tinder doesn't tell you who or how to date, and offers so many different possibilities! We welcome all types of people and relationships whether they last for a few messages exchanged on the app, a day, a night, or a lifetime.  No matter what kind of connection you are looking for, it starts here. It Starts with A Swipe.”

A Beautiful and Strong Creative Direction

Created in partnership with Mischief, the campaign illustrates all the possibilities that Tinder delivers - from yes, a modern-day hook up, to relationship milestones like meeting the friends, or leaving a toothbrush at their place, to a more defined commitment and even meeting the parents. The creative also reflects young daters' desire to express and connect on the issues that matter to them most (63% of Tinder members wanting to connect with someone that aligns with their values).

For Bianca Guimaraes, ECD and Partner at Mischief: "Tinder's challenge to us was bigger than a change of brand perception—it was a change of dating perception. For more than ten years Tinder has made it easy and fun for members to meet up, yet along the way, some people have grown cynical about online dating. Today, there’s a new generation of people who aren’t jaded by dating, nor do they define dating the same way. The opportunity for Tinder is to communicate the infinite possibilities that exist on Tinder that lead to a one-time vibe or a long term relationship. We were inspired by how a match can launch into any one of those outcomes."

Diversity and Inclusion Shaped The Campaign From A-Z

The crew that worked on this campaign represented the Tinder member base, with a heavy female representation as well as many BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ team members. For the digital video spots, Tinder worked with Biscuit Filmworks, which is co-owned 50/50 male/female, and with a 50/50 male/female director duo, Los Pérez. Composed of filmmakers Tania Verduzco and Adrian Pérez, the directorial duo Los Pérez is known for their vibrant and lushly detailed art direction and cinematic world-building across commercials, music videos, and branded content.

The campaign launched on February 28th, across social media, streaming platforms, and followed by out-of-home placements. It will roll out across the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, and Brazil, appearing in major cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Berlin, and Madrid.