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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryStrategy & FrameworksGuerrilla Marketing

Strategy & Frameworks

Guerrilla Marketing

Low-cost, unconventional tactics that create surprise and buzz, named by Jay Conrad Levinson in his 1984 book.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Guerrilla marketing is the use of low-cost, unconventional tactics that create surprise and buzz, such as street stunts, ambient installations and unexpected placements. The term was named by Jay Conrad Levinson in his 1984 book. It relies on creativity rather than large budgets, aiming for memorable experiences and earned attention.