Unilever shifts further into entertainment with reality TV format ‘The Afterglow’

Vaseline has launched a vertical reality dating series as part of a broader push into entertainment-led marketing, as brands look for new ways to capture attention across social platforms.

Created by REBORN for Unilever, The Afterglow is a five-part micro-series designed for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts, built around the launch of Vaseline’s new body oil range.

The 1–3 minute episodes follow a cast of reality TV personalities and creators through a series of challenges designed to test chemistry and connection, with the product integrated into the format rather than positioned as a traditional ad.

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Since launch, the series has claimed some 8 million eyeballs, on top of a reach and 36 million impressions. This, according to media buying agency Mindshare is a mix of paid and organic reach. 

While the campaign blends organic and paid distribution, the approach reflects a broader shift in how brands are using content, prioritising format and narrative to drive engagement before introducing product messaging.

David Easton, CEO of REBORN, said the strategy is designed to earn attention rather than interrupt it.

“You can’t expect audiences to engage with a hard sell upfront,” he said.

“The series is structured to build engagement first, with the product story becoming more explicit in later episodes.”

The move aligns with a growing trend among FMCG brands experimenting with episodic and social-first formats, particularly as traditional influencer and campaign models become less effective at driving sustained attention.

Yin Hong Yeo, regional marketing manager at Unilever, said the format allows the brand to embed itself within behaviour and culture.

“Beauty advertising needs to hold attention for longer to achieve cut-through,” she said. “The Afterglow taps into the cultural appeal of reality dating formats, placing the product within a world audiences already engage with.”

The campaign builds on REBORN’s previous content work with Unilever and signals a bigger shift toward entertainment-led marketing designed specifically for short-form platforms.