January 19th is approaching fast, and with it comes one of the most significant shifts in the digital marketing landscape: the TikTok ban.
As brands brace for impact, the question isn’t just “Where do we shift our ad dollars?” but also “What strategies can truly deliver results in a post-TikTok world?”
Lucky for you, we have the answer: Fortune cookie advertising.
I know what you’re thinking… “You’re biased.” You’re right, we are, but there’s a lot of strong comparisons to TikTok. We even have proof that we crush TikTok in search (more below).
Here’s why…
Deep Emotional Connection: TikTok thrives on fleeting trends but fortune cookies create a personal deeply emotional surprise and delight brand experience when consumers least expect it. The Fortune cookie experience around the table has been a part of American culture since the 1950’s.
High Reach with Lasting Impact: Like TikTok, fortune cookies reach millions weekly, but they’re not competing for attention against other content. Your message arrives when consumers are more focused, relaxed, and open to engagement—leading to a 92% open rate and a 63% unaided recall.
Action Beyond Awareness: TikTok is great for brand awareness but often struggles with driving direct action. Fortune cookies go beyond awareness, generating QR code scans, organic searches, and social media shares—turning reach into measurable results.
And we have the data to prove it.
Recently, we worked with Octave one of the largest mental health services companies launching in Philadelphia, and they gave us a rare, apples-to-apples comparison.
First, they tried TikTok ads from August 26th - October 11th which delivered a slight bump in engagement during the campaign’s run.
But then they paused TikTok on October 11th and pivoted entirely to fortune cookie advertising with OpenFortune, while not doing any other paid media.
The Results?
We didn’t just match TikTok’s performance—we more than doubled it:
131% increase in total users
130% jump in new users
113% increase in returning users
25% rise in engaged sessions per active user
And this wasn’t part of a multi-channel blitz.
It was a true, head-to-head test, and the results speak for themselves: real engagement, memorable moments, and tangible ROI.
In the words of the client: {insert quote}
The clock is ticking.
With January 19th around the corner, brands face a pivotal decision:
Scramble to fill the TikTok-shaped void in their marketing strategy.
Or seize this moment to pivot smarter, faster, and more creatively with strategies that deliver clear-cut ROI.
Let us help you pivot smarter, faster, and more creatively.
