The goal of our partnership with Disney was to create an attention-grabbing, viral moment for 20th Century’s film The First Omen, generating buzz and driving ticket sales to maximize box office revenue.
The idea driving the work centered on merging two distinct points of cultural relevance. First, we tapped into the widespread trend and online discourse surrounding gender reveal parties, a topic that consistently garners significant attention and engagement. Second, we aligned this with the film’s thematic elements, including horror, religious undertones, and its exploration of motherhood and family dynamics.
By creatively combining these entry points, we crafted an original short form promotional video designed to intrigue audiences, provoke conversation, and amplify the film’s unique appeal within the cultural zeitgeist.
To bring the project to life, MediaNug developed treatments for horror-themed gender reveal parties, which culminated in a full script written by our team. We collaborated with the client to cast the project and fully produced and shot several versions of the concept.
A significant challenge arose during the outdoor shoot when heavy rain unexpectedly disrupted our schedule. This forced us to adapt on the spot, improvising new scenes and setups to keep the production moving. What initially seemed like a setback turned out to be a creative advantage: the rain infused the final piece with a frantic, scattered energy that perfectly echoed the unsettling tones of the horror film.
To further enhance the visual impact, we incorporated photography-grade smoke bombs as part of the stunt work. Combined with the rain, this created a visually striking and atmospheric scene that felt entirely unique.
The project’s success lay in its ability to transform challenges into creative opportunities, delivering a final product that stood out through its bold concept, adaptability, and distinct visual style.
Our primary objectives were to raise brand awareness and create a viral, attention-grabbing moment online. These goals were achieved with a single TikTok post that captured widespread acclaim and engagement.
The video received over 50 million views, 1.8 million likes, 284,000 saves, and more than 12,000 comments. Notably, many viewers remarked that they didn’t even realize it was an advertisement until the end, a testament to how well it balanced its creepy, horror-driven storytelling with subtle promotion. The video’s chilling and immersive nature drew praise for its high production value and effectiveness.
The conversations sparked by the post were highly engaging, with viewers discussing its scary and unsettling elements, which increased awareness of the film and generated intrigue. The overwhelmingly positive reception confirmed the video’s success in meeting our objectives, making it both a standout piece of content and an effective tool for driving interest in the film.
