The Awards Season Awards: Which Oscars Campaigns Worked (and Didn’t)
Mar 1, 2024
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Join Matt and guest Michael Schulman as they dissect the Oscars campaigns of 2024, awarding best and worst campaigns. They discuss campaign narratives, misfires, stunts, and overall winners. Dive into the world of Oscars campaigning with insights on strategies, marketing tactics, stunts, sponsors, and rising stars in the industry.
Robert Downey Jr.'s campaign strategy focused on charm and industry respect, aligning with the theme of Oscar royalty recognition.
Bradley Cooper's film 'Maestro' faced criticism for being perceived as a vanity project, failing to highlight its merits effectively.
The presence of Messi the Dog from 'Anatomy of a Fall' at Oscar nominees luncheon created a successful and memorable stunt, boosting engagement.
The Barbie ad with Jimmy Kimmel showcased creativity and humor, generating excitement for the Oscars and leveraging 'Barbie' movie popularity.
Deep dives
Best Campaign - Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr.'s campaign strategy was noted as one of the best due to his charm, humor, and overall career arc. By portraying himself as an asset to voters and showcasing his charisma, he effectively engaged voters and industry insiders. Downey's approach aligned with the narrative of Oscar royalty receiving their due, making his campaign successful and memorable.
Worst Campaign - Maestro
The film 'Maestro' directed by Bradley Cooper faced criticism for what was perceived as a vanity project. The marketing and distribution of the film did not resonate well with audiences, leading to a lack of awards attention. Despite Cooper's efforts, the campaign failed to highlight the essence of the movie and shifted focus onto personal ambitions rather than the film's merits.
Best Stunt - Messi the Dog
The presence of Messi the Dog from the film 'Anatomy of a Fall' at the Oscar nominees luncheon significantly boosted attention and engagement. The campaign effectively utilized the dog as a promotional tool, overshadowing other campaigns and creating a memorable and impactful stunt. With the dog's charm and media coverage, the strategy successfully garnered interest for the film.
Best Piece of Awards Related Media - Barbie Promo with Jimmy Kimmel
The Barbie promotional ad featuring Jimmy Kimmel engaging with Barbie was highlighted for its creativity, humor, and effective marketing. The engaging short film ad managed to excite viewers about the Oscars and leaned into the popularity of the movie 'Barbie.' The clever execution of the piece made it a standout in awards-related media coverage.
Overall Winner of Award Season - Celine Song
Celine Song emerged as a significant winner of the award season, benefiting from the success of her film 'Past Lives.' The indie darling filmmaker's rise to prominence and subsequent projects have solidified her position in the industry. With opportunities to work on upcoming projects alongside notable actors, Song's success during the award season marks a pivotal moment in her career.
Honorable Mention - Dominic Sessa
Dominic Sessa received an honorable mention for his unexpected rise and standout presence on the red carpet during the award season. With a unique and confident style reminiscent of the disco era, Sessa captured attention and made a lasting impression. Despite not winning the award season, Sessa's memorable appearances signify a notable emergence in the entertainment scene.
Possible Apex - Chris Nolan
Chris Nolan's engaging and loose persona during interviews and events throughout the award season has positioned him as a potential apex in his career. The commercial director's transformation into an auteur figure has intrigued audiences and industry insiders. With a poised approach and newfound charisma, Nolan's success this award season may elevate his status in the film industry.
Matt is joined by The New Yorker’s Michael Schulman to parse through the endless campaigns from the 2024 Oscar season and give out their own awards for the best, worst, and everything in between. Some of the awards include Best Campaign Narrative, Biggest Campaign Misfire, Best Stunt, Best Overall Campaign, and Who Won Awards Season.
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