Pi(e) Day Hacks: Baking Engagement Into Your Social Strategy

National Pi Day, celebrated on March 14th (3/14), is more than just a day for math enthusiasts. This quirky holiday offers businesses a golden opportunity to showcase creativity, engage audiences, and drive brand awareness—all while having fun with the themes of math and pie.

Here’s how your food brand can bake Pi Day success into your social media strategy, along with why Pi Day matters for businesses.

Why National Pi Day Matters for Businesses

While Pi Day might seem like a niche celebration, its widespread appeal makes it a strategic opportunity for brands. Here’s why:

1. It’s a Chance to Join a Global Conversation

Pi Day trends annually on social media, giving businesses a chance to participate in a conversation with millions of users. According to Sprout Social, engaging with popular holidays increases brand visibility, as audiences are already primed to interact with relevant content.

2. It Humanizes Your Brand

Celebrating a fun, lighthearted holiday like Pi Day shows the human side of your business. Consumers appreciate brands that can mix professionalism with playfulness and helps with building stronger emotional connections.

3. It’s Perfect for Creative Marketing

Pi Day allows brands to think outside the box, experiment with content, and attract attention in unique ways. Whether it’s math jokes, pie puns, or creative promotions, this day encourages innovation.

Now, let’s explore three effective strategies, paired with real-world examples of companies that have turned Pi Day into a marketing win.

3 Ways Brands Have Turned Pi Day Into a Marketing Win

1. They offer Pi-Powered Promotions

Pi Day’s numerical theme (3.14) is a marketer’s dream, providing a fun anchor for creative promotions. Food brands can entice audiences with deals like $3.14 pies or pizzas, generating excitement and boosting sales.

Example 1: Blaze Pizza gives Pi Day deals
Blaze Pizza’s annual $3.14 pizza deal is a Pi Day tradition, creating long lines at their stores and plenty of buzz online. Customers often post about the deal, giving the brand organic, user-generated content (Restaurant Business).

Example 2: Keebler’s Pi Day Giveaway

Keebler added a playful twist to Pi Day with a social media giveaway featuring their iconic Keebler Elf. The campaign invited followers to like their post, tag a friend, and use #KeeblerPieDayEntry for a chance to win a Pi(e) Day Prize Pack. The promotion creatively tied the celebration to their brand, boosting engagement.

2. They create engaging content based on Pi Day

From educational challenges that inspire curiosity to fun, themed campaigns, businesses across industries have found unique ways to make Pi Day memorable. Let’s explore some standout examples.

Example: NASA’s Pi Day Challenge
NASA uses Pi Day to promote STEM education through their “Pi Day Challenge,” inviting students to solve math problems inspired by space exploration. By tying the celebration to their mission, NASA engages their audience while inspiring future scientists.

Example: Google’s Record-Breaking Calculation

On Pi Day in 2019, Google used its cloud platform to calculate a record-breaking 31.4 trillion digits of π. This feat not only demonstrated the power of Google’s technology but also generated significant media buzz, aligning Pi Day with their innovation-focused branding. The campaign reinforced Google’s position as a leader in tech while sparking conversations worldwide.

3. They Share Eye-Catching Pi Day Content

Visual content is key to engaging audiences on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. For Pi Day, consider using high-quality images and videos that showcase your pies or products.

Did You Know?
Food content is a top-performing category on social media, with over 70% of Gen Z users enjoying food-related posts 

Example: Target’s Pi Day Posts

Target embraces Pi Day with playful, eye-catching content that highlights their seasonal pie collection. Using vibrant visuals of pie dishes, bakeware, and accessories, they create a seamless connection between the mathematical theme of π and their home goods. These posts not only showcase products but also inspire followers to celebrate Pi Day in style by baking their own creations.

Example: Nobel Prize’s Pi Day Post

To honor Pi Day, the Nobel Prize shared a photo of a “Pi Pie,” complete with the digits of π encircling it. The post gave a nod to “Rounded Pi Day” (3.1416), showcasing the lighter side of celebrating mathematics.

So, how can your brand make the most of Pi Day?

Let’s dig into some strategies that could have your audience coming back for seconds.

1. Highlight Pi’s Use in Your Industry

Create content that explains how π (pi) plays a role in your industry. For example:

  • Construction companies could show how π is used in measuring curves or arches.
  • Fashion brands could highlight circular patterns in their designs.
  • Food brands can talk about portion control, circular presentations, or the science of baking.

Why It Works: This approach is educational and versatile, fitting into any business type while offering value to your audience.

2. Share “Did You Know” Pi Day Facts with a Twist

Create a post featuring fun or surprising facts about π (pi) but tailor it to your industry.

  • Example for Retail: “Did you know π is essential for calculating circular displays? Even our signage owes something to 3.14.”
  • Example for Food Brands: “How many pizzas can fit in a 16” box? The math comes down to π!”
  • Keep it short, visual, and interesting—think graphics or a carousel format.

Why It Works: It’s easy to create and grabs attention with a blend of education and relevance.

3. Use Pi Day as a Hook for Circular Themes

Highlight any circular or rounded aspect of your product or service.

  • Example for Tech Companies: Showcase round devices like wearables or circular features in apps.
  • Example for Beauty Brands: Focus on round compacts, lip balm packaging, or even the perfect contour techniques.

Why It Works: Pi Day becomes a clever backdrop for showcasing products you already offer, no matter your industry.

4. Highlight Deals That Tie to Pi (Even Loosely)

If your company can offer a discount, tie it into the numbers “3.14.” For example:

  • $3.14 off a product or service.
  • A 31.4% discount on a category.
  • Post a bold, visually striking announcement to make the discount stand out.

Why It Works: Discounts tied to a holiday like Pi Day create urgency without requiring an interactive element.

5. Leverage Pi Day as a Data Moment

Share an interesting, data-driven insight from your company using Pi Day as a hook.

  • Example: A logistics company could share how circular paths optimize delivery routes.
  • Example: A marketing team could highlight how precision targeting drives results.

Why It Works: Pi Day becomes a smart way to spotlight your brand’s analytical expertise without requiring complex math.

6. Use Pi Day to Introduce Curiosity

Tie Pi Day to innovation and exploration by sharing how curiosity drives your brand forward.

  • Example for Tech Startups: “Just as π never ends, our pursuit of innovation never stops.”
  • Example for Educational Brands: “Pi inspires exploration—just like our courses spark new ways of thinking.”

Why It Works: This approach broadens Pi Day’s appeal while aligning it with your brand values.

Celebrate Creativity with Pi Day.

It isn’t just for mathematicians or pie lovers—it’s a celebration of creativity, innovation, and connection. By tapping into its playful yet universal appeal, brands from every industry can create engaging social media campaigns that stand out.

Whether you’re offering discounts, sharing educational content, or simply joining the global Pi Day conversation, the possibilities are as endless as π itself.

So, this March 14th, let your brand’s creativity take the spotlight—because when it comes to engaging audiences, Pi Day is always a winning formula.

Want a slice of social media success? Contact us today to cook up some sweet content that’ll have your audience coming back for seconds.