The Academy Awards. More than just a night of golden statues and long speeches, these are a massive cultural event, a focal point for millions of conversations online and offline.
For you, that means it’s a golden opportunity, and no, you don’t have to be a big-name sponsor to tap into the Oscars buzz, either. With a smart strategy, any brand can ride the wave of excitement, connect with customers, and create memorable marketing moments.
Think of it like this: the Oscars create a shared cultural space. People are already gathered, talking about the fashion, the frontrunners, and the surprise snubs. Your job is to join that conversation in a way that feels natural and adds value for your audience.
With an average audience of nearly 20 million viewers in the US alone, it’s time to find your brand's role in the story of the night.
Find Your Angle: Connect Your Brand to the Big Screen
Your first step is to figure out how your brand fits into the Oscars narrative. This doesn't mean you need to be selling movie tickets or couture gowns. The connection can be creative and thematic.
A home goods brand? You could create content around "How to Host an Oscar-Worthy Viewing Party." A software company? Maybe you can run a poll on "Which Best Picture Nominee Had the Best Project Management?"
The link just needs to be authentic to what you do. For example, a meal-kit service could develop recipes inspired by each of the Best Picture nominees (like "The Holdovers" New England Clam Chowder). This connects their product directly to the event in a fun, engaging way that provides real value to their customers. Similarly, a fitness brand could create "Train Like a Superhero" workouts inspired by actors in action-heavy nominated films.
Think beyond the obvious. Your brand’s story can intersect with themes from the nominated films, the glamour of the red carpet, or the simple act of watching the show with friends.
Roll Out the Red Carpet on Social Media
Social media is the digital equivalent of the red carpet viewing party, and it’s where most of the real-time conversation happens. In fact, during the 2023 ceremony, the Oscars generated over 27 million social media interactions. Your goal is to be a welcome part of that massive discussion.
Live-tweeting is a classic for a reason, so have a member of your team ready to post reactions to the winners, the fashion, and the standout moments. But don't just report what's happening. Add your brand's personality. If you're a witty, informal brand, use humor and GIFs. If you're more aspirational, focus on the inspirational moments and acceptance speeches.
Interactive content is even better. Run polls asking your followers to predict the winners. Create an "Oscars Bingo" card with squares like "Speech gets cut off by music," "Someone trips on the stairs," and "Winner thanks their agent."
Post it to your Instagram Stories and encourage people to share their progress. You can offer a small prize or discount to a few lucky participants who get a bingo, driving direct engagement and a sense of community.
Create Content That Deserves Its Own Award
Beyond social media, you can build a more substantial content play around the event. This is where you can truly showcase your brand's expertise and personality.
A blog post or a video can explore a topic that connects your industry to the film world. For instance, a financial planning firm could write a post titled "Financial Lessons from This Year's Best Picture Nominees," analyzing the monetary decisions or economic themes in the films. A local tourism board for a city where a movie was filmed can create a "Visit the Real-Life Locations of [Nominated Film]" guide.
This type of content is shareable, has a longer shelf life, and positions you as a creative authority.
To get started, look at the success of user-generated content (UGC) campaigns. A fashion brand could launch a hashtag campaign like #[YourBrand]RedCarpet, encouraging customers to post photos of their own "glam night out" outfits for a chance to be featured or win a prize. This not only generates a ton of free content for you but also makes your customers the stars of the show.
Don’t Be Afraid to Pick Favorites
Taking a stand can make your brand more human and relatable, but don't just report on the nominees. Have an opinion. Announce your official "pick" for Best Picture on your social channels and explain why. This could be because the film's themes of innovation align with your company values, or maybe it was filmed in your brand's hometown.
This creates a rooting interest for your followers. They can debate you in the comments, share their own picks, and feel a stronger connection to your brand because you're participating in the culture, not just marketing to it.
When your pick wins (or loses), you have an instant follow-up post ready to go, continuing the conversation. This is much more interesting than a generic "Congratulations to all the winners" post.
Partner Up for a Blockbuster Premiere
Not sure if you want to walk the red carpet alone? Partnering with another non-competing brand or a local influencer can amplify your reach and add another layer of fun. Case in point: a local restaurant could partner with a nearby boutique to co-host a viewing party. A food blogger could take over your brand's Instagram Stories for the night, sharing their themed snacks and commentary.
These collaborations introduce your brand to a new audience in a context that feels truly organic. The right partnership can double your marketing power and create an experience that neither brand could have built on its own.
The Academy Awards, just like other mass-appeal events like the Super Bowl, offer a rare moment when a huge portion of the population is focused on the same thing.
Now is the perfect time to step into the spotlight. Find an authentic connection, create engaging and interactive content, and join the real-time conversation. Only then can you turn a night of Hollywood glamour into a winning moment for your brand.
Get in touch with Kinetic319 for more expert strategies to make your brand a star. And don’t delay: your audience is waiting.