The brief:
Amazon approached agency 160/90 to curate an event for product placement on popular TV shows, and recognizing PopShift’s expertise and network reach, 160/90 enlisted us to create a memorable branding experience for our network of showrunners.
The Process:
After reading a research article detailing the South African traditional Khoi and San fireside storytellers, I was inspired by the role that night time storytelling played in fostering empathy, keeping the tribe strong and imagining new worlds. If Showrunners today, reaching audiences of millions, have the same outsized impact that ancient storytellers did to impact culture, I wondered if we could position them within a similar environment to do the same. We envisioned an evening under the stars featuring multiple firesides, six high-profile storytellers from our network, and a progressive five-course tasting menu.
Emerging from a disconnected COVID world, creating a safe shared space for connection felt both necessary and urgent. We sought a venue that could accommodate multiple firesides, offer glamour and accessibility for our network of showrunners in Los Angeles, be safely outside, and provide the intimacy needed for a truly connected night. After searching various outdoor garden venues in the Hollywood Hills, we found a beautiful Moroccan-themed location that met our needs, and we leaned into the aesthetic in our design.
We designed the evening to ensure the showrunners felt cared for, with each moment intentional, providing space to share and listen, avoiding the typical networking event feel. It needed to be meaningful and human.
Before the event, we canvassed our network's interest in the themes to match them with stories they were curious about, dividing them into five groups to manage the evening's flow. Each group was identified by differently colored illuminated leis and had a guide to move them through the garden along specially designed movement tracks. We also choreographed a system of sound cues and bells to manage time efficiently, ensuring each dinner course was served on time and kept at the right temperature.
Amazon approached agency 160/90 to curate an event for product placement on popular TV shows, and recognizing PopShift’s expertise and network reach, 160/90 enlisted us to create a memorable branding experience for our network of showrunners.
The Process:
After reading a research article detailing the South African traditional Khoi and San fireside storytellers, I was inspired by the role that night time storytelling played in fostering empathy, keeping the tribe strong and imagining new worlds. If Showrunners today, reaching audiences of millions, have the same outsized impact that ancient storytellers did to impact culture, I wondered if we could position them within a similar environment to do the same. We envisioned an evening under the stars featuring multiple firesides, six high-profile storytellers from our network, and a progressive five-course tasting menu.
Emerging from a disconnected COVID world, creating a safe shared space for connection felt both necessary and urgent. We sought a venue that could accommodate multiple firesides, offer glamour and accessibility for our network of showrunners in Los Angeles, be safely outside, and provide the intimacy needed for a truly connected night. After searching various outdoor garden venues in the Hollywood Hills, we found a beautiful Moroccan-themed location that met our needs, and we leaned into the aesthetic in our design.
We designed the evening to ensure the showrunners felt cared for, with each moment intentional, providing space to share and listen, avoiding the typical networking event feel. It needed to be meaningful and human.
Before the event, we canvassed our network's interest in the themes to match them with stories they were curious about, dividing them into five groups to manage the evening's flow. Each group was identified by differently colored illuminated leis and had a guide to move them through the garden along specially designed movement tracks. We also choreographed a system of sound cues and bells to manage time efficiently, ensuring each dinner course was served on time and kept at the right temperature.
The outcome:
- 60 showrunners attended an evening where, after an initial cocktail hour, 5 groups visited three fireside locations to hear unique, real-life stories reimagining society from these storytellers; Will Siu - Reimagine Healing , Richie Reseda - Reimagine Justice, Bambadjan Bamba - Reimagine Belonging, Naomi Gibson- Reimagine Truth, Erika Cheung - Reimagine Courage Paula Stone Williams - Reimagine Authenticity
- After each story, attendees were invited to share their own responses or stories, fostering genuine conversation and creating an intimate atmosphere distinct from typical industry events.
- Rave Reviews:
- “It was so beautiful.. we witnessed such incredible conversations”, (Senior Account Executive 160over90)
- “What a spectacular event. I left your event and stayed up working all night reevaluating a character and it changed the storyline and her journey. Also had amazing conversations and connections with many other showrunners that evening.” (TV writer)
- “If I could give you an Academy award for this, I would!”. (Sr. Director, Academy of Motion Pictures)
- New partnership with CAA Foundation