Case Studies
Case Studies:
Client: Universal Studios Home Video
Project: Fievel Goes West (Direct to Video)
SSA Campaign:
Recognizing that, if he were real, Fievel Mousekowitz would have entered America with his family through Ellis Island, we staged a fun (and even dramatic) event at this historic site. Specifically, our costumed Fievel character stood in line, then answered (by shaking his head) actual questions asked by the Ellis Island personnel (i.e., ‘Do you have family in the U.S.?’). We hired a satellite truck that videotaped and immediately edited the ceremony, then satellite-fed the VNR (video news release) to local television stations. We arranged for an exclusive feed for a major syndicated daytime show, as well as secured placements on more than 100 local television stations. Most important, USHV outsold their projections!
Client: Hit Entertainment
Project: US Launch of Bob the Builder
SSA Campaign:
Before Bob the Builder came to the US in January of 2000, the brand was a huge success in the UK. SSA’s mandate was to instantly bring Bob to the level of prominence in the U.S. the property enjoyed in the UK. No small order. SSA’s concept: We went to British Airways and had Bob come down the plane’s steps (remember the Beatles coming to America to do Ed Sullivan?) and pass through the BA terminal to an awaiting throng of screaming preschoolers. The result: Our VNR of the event (we had our satellite truck on the premises) was carried by over 100 televisions, E!, ET, and ABC News World Tonight!
Client: 4Kids Entertainment
Project: US Launch of Pokemon
SSA Campaign:
SSA worked with Volkswagon to secure 10 Beetles, dress them up as Pokemon monsters and launch a national sweepstakes with the Beetles as grand prizes. The results: Over 200,000 post card entries (for a syndicated show!) – and 4Kids transported the series from the syndication market over to KIDS WB! The rest, as they say, is history. By the way, we saved the post cards – all of them!
Client: 4Kids Entertainment
Project: US Launch of Yugioh
SSA Campaign:
Yugioh was a very important product launch for 4Kids. SSA began by successfully securing an article on the brand in the Wall Street Journal, positioning Yugioh as the next big entry for 4Kids following their smash with Pokemon. SSA continued to support the launch of the series with comprehensive media coverage across all categories, including the burgeoning web platform (The Wall Street Journal subsequently write a piece about SSA’s successful utilization of the Internet to launch Yugioh. SSA secured literally hundreds of individual stories from USA Today and Newsweek to TV Guide (it ultimately made the front cover). SSA will always be appreciative for having the opportunity to play a role in building the Yugioh brand.
Client: The Shushybye Company
Project: Worldwide Launch of Shushybye
SSA Campaign:
Putting his years of experience in working on the launch of numerous high-profile kids brands, SSA founder and CEO Steve Syatt applied his knowledge in marketing, content development, public relations, licensing and retail distribution to create and launch a proprietary brand. Shushybye is the original sleep-themed multi-media and product brand that is supported by a television series, radio series, bedtime storybook series, plush doll and toy line, sleepwear line and growing collection of DVD and music CD titles. In addition to securing all the licensees and broadcast deals, Steve also created Shushybye, produced the TV and radio shows, authored all of the storybooks – and even wrote all the multi award-winning original Shushybye songs (which were recorded in his home Pro Tools music production studio). Steve now provides his unique, hands-on brand development skills to many of SSA’s kids entertainment and product-based clients.