Two Essentials for Succeeding in China’s Digital Market
China marketing agencies are essential for international brands looking to succeed in China. Marketing in China offers immense potential — but it also comes with significant challenges. With a massive consumer base and diverse audience profiles, the country operates on a digital marketing ecosystem that is vastly different from what brands are used to in the West.
For international brands, simply translating your website or opening a WeChat account isn’t enough. To truly succeed, you need to understand the cultural context, local buying habits, content preferences, and how Chinese social media platforms function.
Know the Unique Digital Ecosystem in China
Platforms like Google, YouTube, and Instagram do not operate in China. Instead, local giants such as Baidu, Xiaohongshu (RED), WeChat, Douyin, and Bilibili dominate the market. Each of these platforms has its own rules — different algorithms, user behavior, and content styles. To engage effectively, you need to tailor your strategies to each platform.
Stand Out with Localized Content
In China, brand fame alone won’t win consumers over. People respond more to local content. Is your content truly relevant in the Chinese context? Can you drive more search traffic on Baidu through Baidu SEO? Can you build strong brand recognition on short video platforms like Douyin? These factors determine whether an international brand can truly succeed in the Chinese market.
Scaling in China Starts with the Right Marketing Agency Partnership
China marketing agency can offer Local Market Insights
A great Chinese marketing agency understands what local consumers care about — from design aesthetics and shopping habits to emotional cues and cultural taboos. This knowledge helps avoid tone-deaf campaigns. Take a well-known Italian luxury brand, for example. In 2018, its campaign featured a Chinese model awkwardly eating pizza with chopsticks, paired with stereotypical Chinese music and exaggerated accents. The campaign was received as disrespectful rather than playful, leading to immediate backlash. This incident highlights just how important cultural fluency is — even for global brands.
China marketing agency can offer efficient execution on local platforms
China’s digital platforms evolve rapidly. Their algorithms and ad policies change frequently, and foreign teams often struggle to keep up. Chinese advertising agencies, however, have seasoned operational teams that can precisely place and optimize content based on the unique characteristics of each platform.
China marketing agencies own strong Influencer & Media Network
Chinese advertising agencies maintain long-standing partnerships with influencers, KOLs, media outlets, and MCN organizations. This allows them to quickly identify the most effective exposure channels for your brand, saving you time and reducing trial-and-error costs.
An Expansion Project in China? We Can Help You!
What Makes a Chinese Marketing Agency Essential for Market Entry ?
Integrated Brand Marketing Strategy in China
- Omni-Channel Digital Marketing Strategy in China: Leveraging platforms such as WeChat, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and more, a China marketing agency can develop phased communication plans tailored to your brand’s positioning. This ensures both wide exposure and deep audience engagement.
- Creative Campaign Planning : Centering campaigns on trending local topics or key cultural moments, the agency can design socially engaging concepts—ranging from viral challenges and H5 interactive experiences to brand collaborations—to drive user participation, sharing, and co-creation.
Social Media Operations in China
- WeChat Marketing Strategy : Develop a comprehensive private domain strategy by managing the full funnel — from official account content creation to community engagement and conversion. Integrate tools like mini programs and WeChat stores to boost user retention and transaction efficiency.
- Xiaohongshu : Leverage the platform’s “grass-planting” culture by planning targeted influencer collaborations and SEO to amplify brand exposure and build authentic consumer trust.
- Douyin/Kuaishou: Tailor short-form video and livestreaming strategies that align with your brand identity. Drive engagement and follower growth through KOL partnerships, interactive challenges, and trending content activation.
- Bilibili : Collaborate with top creators to co-produce engaging formats like reviews, unboxings, and commentary content, strengthening brand relevance among younger audiences through authentic, community-driven storytelling.
Baidu Ecosystem Marketing
- Baidu SEO Optimization : Conduct an in-depth analysis of target audience search behavior to optimize your website’s structure and content. This enhances your brand’s visibility through organic rankings in Baidu’s search results, an essential component of SEO Chine.
- Baidu ads : Deploy high-conversion keywords and create compelling landing pages. Use real-time performance data to continuously refine ad placement strategies, improving both click-through and conversion rates.
- Brand Authority Building : Establish a strong digital presence across Baidu’s content ecosystem—including Baidu Baike (encyclopedia), Wenku (document library), and Zhidao (Q&A platform)—to boost brand credibility and form a comprehensive “trust loop.”
Data Analysis & Performance Monitoring
Track real-time metrics across all marketing platforms. Continuously optimize content strategies, ad placements, and user journeys. Deliver detailed performance reports to evaluate ROI and long-term user growth.
Media Buying & KOL/KOC Resource Integration
Tap into local influencer (KOL/KOC) networks to identify brand-aligned partners. Develop tiered collaboration strategies and execute precision placements that maximize content reach and conversion efficiency.
The Power of Insight: The success of KFC’s “Crazy Thursday” in China
KFC’s digital marketing strategy in China is widely regarded as a benchmark for successful localization and digital transformation by an international brand. Its achievements span social media operations, cultural integration, and user-driven campaigns.
Strategic Social Media Presence
KFC maintains a strong presence across major Chinese platforms, including WeChat, Weibo, Xiaohongshu (RED), and Douyin, engaging users through consistent and localized content marketing.
“Crazy Thursday” Campaign
Every Thursday, KFC launches limited-time offers and leverages the viral phenomenon known as “Crazy Thursday Literature,” where users create humorous and exaggerated posts about craving KFC. This grassroots trend has turned into a nationwide social media movement.
IP Co-branding Collaborations
KFC has partnered with popular cultural icons such as Koduck, Pokémon, and Bubble Mart to launch limited-edition products. These collaborations have been particularly effective in capturing the attention of Gen Z and young millennial audiences.
Cross-Industry Partnerships
To keep the brand fresh and conversation-worthy, KFC regularly collaborates with local brands and artists. These initiatives often result in creative product launches and buzzworthy campaigns that deepen local cultural relevance.
KOL/KOC Influencer Marketing
By working closely with food, lifestyle, and entertainment influencers, KFC generates authentic product reviews, store-visit vlogs, and relatable content to expand its digital reach and credibility.
User-Generated Content (UGC)
KFC encourages users to share their own dining experiences and participate in hashtag challenges. This UGC strategy has significantly boosted engagement and helped foster a strong online brand community.
The “Crazy Thursday” campaign has seamlessly integrated with Chinese social media platforms, especially Weibo and WeChat. By consistently promoting the campaign with branded hashtags, KFC has fueled ongoing user participation and viral sharing. As of today in 2025 , the Weibo hashtag #肯德基疯狂星期四 (“KFC Crazy Thursday”) has amassed over 3.12 billion views and 32.6 million discussions. KFC has also partnered with numerous celebrities and influencers to create customized combo meals and initiate new online trends, continually reinforcing its youthful and energetic brand image.
STAiiRS: Brands’ High-Performance Marketing Partner for China
STAiiRS is a France-based digital marketing agency specializing in the Chinese market. We offer comprehensive services that include B2B, B2C, Baidu SEO, Baidu Ads, Xiaohongshu marketing, and more. Our digital marketing team is composed of native Chinese-speaking experts who possess in-depth knowledge of local culture and consumer trends. We are dedicated to providing international brands with tailored marketing solutions grounded in local insights.
By partnering with STAiiRS, you’ll establish a strong and clear brand presence in the Chinese market, enabling you to quickly gain traction and grow your influence in this dynamic and rapidly evolving market.
Recent Comments