As we step into 2024, we’re taking a moment to reminisce about the diverse client campaigns, both large-scale and smaller initiatives, that brought us joy in 2023. Exciting times await, and we can’t wait to see what unfolds!
January
The Met unveiled its groundbreaking institutional campaign, inviting all New Yorkers to explore its offerings. In a pioneering move for both AKA and The Met, the campaign showcased real individuals—genuine New Yorkers, not actors or celebrities. A diverse array of passionate museum-goers was intentionally chosen to inspire others who may not typically consider visiting The Met.
February
Embracing the viral wave is always a delight! Following Ariana DeBose’s female nominees rap at the BAFTA Awards, our AKA social team swiftly hopped on the trend, creating a TikTok video for & Juliet within 24 hours. The result? Over 114,000 views and a shower of applause in the comments.
We crafted the key art for “Champions,” a feature film by Focus Features starring Woody Harrelson. In the movie, Harrelson portrays a former minor-league basketball coach assigned by the court to lead a team of players with intellectual disabilities.
March
On March 9th, the official Broadway opening of the A Doll’s House revival starring Jessica Chastain took center stage. Our social and creative teams meticulously orchestrated curated content to capture the essence of opening night.
April
In April, AKA took the spotlight in The New York Times Museums supplemental, an exclusive annual insertion in the Sunday paper spotlighting the museum scene across the U.S. Proudly representing prestigious institutions such as The Frick, NY Historical Society, The Morgan Library & Museum, The Met, and New York Botanical Gardens, AKA secured the largest share of ad space, spanning an impressive 5 full pages and one-quarter page.
AKA wrote and designed & Juliet’s souvenir program book, available at the Stephen Sondheim and online. Members of the creative team were interviewed to add real behind-the-scenes insights into creating the show. Here’s some of our favorite spreads from the book:
May
Harnessing the artistry of Van Gogh’s Cypresses at The Met, we blended paintings and drawings with poignant quotes from Van Gogh’s letters to his brother, creating a captivating video commercial to promote the new exhibition. Adding a touch of cinematic elegance, actor Willem Dafoe, who portrayed Van Gogh in the 2018 film “At Eternity’s Gate”, lent his voice to the narration.
June
Our Earned Media team was on fire this month! We orchestrated a complete takeover of The Drama Book Shop for our client New York, New York. This included a front window display, a signature coffee feature, and an eye-catching set model display. The highlight? A special appearance by Lin-Manuel Miranda, showing his support for the activation and participating in a unique social content shoot.
Our team also secured an ongoing 15-second spot on the Hard Rock Times Square digital marquee for Back to the Future. Additionally, we scored a triple win by obtaining three ES-345 Cherry Red Guitars on loan for strategic product placement in the show that were on display inside.
On June 10, 2023, Hillwood Estate Museum & Gardens unveiled its stunning new exhibition, “Glass: Art. Beauty. Design.” To magnify the impact of the dramatic artwork, we orchestrated a comprehensive media campaign. This included bus sides across Washington, D.C., a full-fledged campaign in the Washington Post (spanning online and print ads), and an audio campaign on Spotify.
July
We orchestrated an exciting collaboration between designer Susan Alexandra and & Juliet, resulting in a custom Playbill bag exclusively for influencers attending the show. The bag’s launch on social media made waves, amassing over 200,000 organic impressions.
AKA achieved a significant milestone by securing A Beautiful Noise as a sponsor of Broadway in Bryant Park. This collaboration not only included a stellar performance from the cast but also presented a unique photo opportunity with a Neil Diamond guitar. Adding to the experience, we distributed 500 branded fans to enthusiastic attendees, creating a memorable and engaging presence for the event.
August
In anticipation of its September 3rd closing, the closing campaign artwork for the revival of Funny Girl adorned the streets of NYC, making a statement in print, social media, front of house displays, and on link screens throughout the city.
September
September was a month of festivities at the Harry Potter Store, marking a Back to Hogwarts celebration, Hermione’s birthday, and the 25th anniversary of the first book’s release. Our social media channels buzzed with excitement as we shared a series of posts unveiling authentic props from the films, adding a touch of magic for all the fans.
October
In anticipation of the grand opening of the Museum of Sex Miami, our newly established Influence Department orchestrated a highly successful and intimate influencer event in collaboration with the Museum of Sex NYC and Crave. The event included a unique photo shoot, drawing inspiration from the museum’s latest exhibition. The private museum experience paved the way for bespoke content opportunities, allowing attendees to create captivating and personalized content.
Throughout October, our Earned Media team curated a series of Tuesday night activations for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The events ranged from exciting giveaways and illusion lessons to thrilling trivia sessions. The culmination on October 31st at the Lyric Theatre featured a spectacular display of intricately hand-carved pumpkins, adding a touch of magic to the Halloween celebration.
Leveraging our strategic partnership with The Knickerbocker Hotel and Theatrely, we orchestrated a “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance event in support of Back to the Future, bringing together a diverse array of influencers. From comedians and Bachelor Nation personalities to fashion icons and pop culture enthusiasts, guests experienced an unforgettable evening. The magic continued as influencers promptly shared their experiences through IG stories and feed posts the very next morning.
November
Celebrating & Juliet‘s 1-year milestone on Broadway was a joyous occasion, marked by a week-long series of activations that left a lasting impact. To ensure widespread excitement, our media plan flooded the market with impressions. Exclusive preshow cocktail parties were hosted for influencers, creating an intimate and festive atmosphere. Students from institutions such as NYU, Steinhardt, Marymount Manhattan, and Pace University participated in a pop-up dance performance in the heart of Times Square.
Hershey’s Chocolate joined the celebration, offering a delightful surprise for audience members exiting the matinee performance. AKA also orchestrated a partnership with Abbode, featuring a pop-up embroidery bag station where audience members could receive complimentary embroidery with the purchase of an & Juliet tote, adding a personalized touch to the festivities.
December
In a festive celebration of the first night of Hanukkah, AKA packaged and coordinated the distribution of 600 goodie bags at Harmony. Each bag was filled with traditional items like dreidels and chocolate gelt, adding an extra touch of joy to the occasion. The cast joined in the festivities by lighting the menorah, reciting the blessings, and treating the audience to a heartwarming performance of the classic Hanukkah song “Maoz Tzur.”
Cheers to a fantastic conclusion of 2023! The anticipation for what lies ahead in this New Year has us brimming with excitement. Here’s to new adventures, accomplishments, and all the possibilities awaiting us in the upcoming year.