Upwork Meme Ad on Reddit

Upwork nailed it with this meme ad. It’s a clever remix of the “Strong Doge vs. Cheems” meme to show how hiring through Upwork makes you look like the boss compared to old-school hiring.

Marketing analysis

This ad speaks fluent internet. It uses an already viral meme framework, instantly relatable to Reddit users, and applies it to a business pain point—slow, expensive hiring. The humor lowers defenses, while the visual contrast makes the benefit pop.

Why it works

• Uses a popular meme to grab attention fast
• Visual contrast instantly communicates value
• Tone matches the platform (Reddit loves memes)
• Message focuses on a clear benefit: cheaper, better hiring

Examples

• RyanAir’s “Travel memes only” ads generate massive engagement on X
• Duolingo’s TikTok memes boosted daily active users by 48%
• Liquid Death’s meme-heavy posts helped reach $263M valuation via viral sharing