Pride Festivals Are Bigger Than Ever
Manchester Pride 2025 illuminated the city with vibrant parades, live music, and a profound sense of community. For brands, participating in Pride festivals offers a high-visibility moment, but also a test of authenticity. Pride is about celebration, visibility, and advocacy. Brands that understand that and act accordingly make the most of this unique opportunity.
Trends Shaping Pride Advertising
The way brands approach Pride is evolving. It’s no longer enough to display a rainbow logo. Authentic campaigns focus on inclusion, representation, and meaningful participation. At Manchester Pride 2025, brands that activated interactive experiences or highlighted real LGBTQ+ stories saw stronger engagement. Digital integrations, social storytelling, and sponsorships of community initiatives are becoming the norm. The trend is clear now that audiences want campaigns that resonate emotionally, not just visually.
How Brands Can Make an Impact
For advertisers and agencies, Pride presents both opportunity and responsibility. Campaigns must balance visibility with sincerity. At the top of this list which combines both are brands that sponsor events while also supporting LGBTQ+ causes year-round, as these are seen as credible and committed.
Heineken UK: As the home of Heineken UK’s biggest brewery, the company is a major employer in Manchester. Over 100 Heineken UK colleagues proudly took part in the Manchester Pride Parade under the banner ‘Brewing in Manchester With Love.’ The company also activated its Strongbow cider brand at Pride events, aiming to become the UK’s most inclusive cider brand since its relaunch in 2023.
Bauer Media: Bauer Media launched the ‘Acts of Pride’ campaign across its Out of Home (OOH) sites in Manchester. The campaign featured powerful messages celebrating LGBTQ+ identities, aiming to inspire and uplift the community.
The Independent: As the exclusive national news partner, The Independent marched for the first time in the Manchester Pride Parade. This partnership underscored their commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
Pride Advertising Possibilities
The future of advertising at Pride festivals is about authenticity, integration, and sustained commitment. As more brands seek to engage LGBTQ+ communities, the ones that succeed will be those that align campaigns with genuine values, listen to the community, and use creativity to tell real stories.
Manchester Pride 2025 is a reminder, advertising at Pride festivals is not just an event, it is an opportunity to build trust, celebrate diversity, and make a meaningful connection. Brands that approach it thoughtfully will reap long-term engagement and respect.