Insights | April 16, 2024

Get The Pop From Pop Culture: What Events Can Learn From The Oscars

Award shows like the Oscars aren’t just glamorous nights honoring the best in the film industry, they are cultural phenomena that captivate audiences worldwide. The allure of the red carpet, the anticipation of seeing favorite celebrities, and the excitement of prestigious awards create an unparalleled event experience. But beyond the glitz and glamor, award shows offer valuable lessons for brands looking to create memorable and impactful experiences. Consider the following tips when planning your next event.

Curate an Exclusive Experience

One of the key attractions of the Oscars is its exclusivity. Brands can emulate this by curating exclusive experiences for their events, whether through VIP access, limited invitations, or premium amenities. By making attendees feel special, brands can create a sense of anticipation and excitement around their event.

Celebrate Excellence

Like the Oscars, brands should aim to celebrate excellence within their industry or niche. Whether recognizing outstanding achievements, innovative ideas, or exceptional talent, acknowledging excellence adds prestige and credibility to the event. This can be done through awards ceremonies, keynote speeches, or panel discussions featuring industry luminaries.

Stars Help Events Shine Brighter

Celebrities play a central role in the Oscars, from walking the red carpet to presenting awards and delivering memorable performances and speeches. Brands can capitalize on the allure of celebrity programming to help create event buzz, elevate brand credibility, and visibility via social and PR tactics. 

Utilize the Power of Pop Culture

Award shows like the Oscars are the cornerstone of the phrase that a celebrity is “having a moment.” Even the most household names are more present in the audience’s minds after an award show appearance, especially a win. Hosting a celebrity who’s recently won a prestigious award not only garners the attention of attendees, it heightens the relevance of the event. 

Showcase the Craft and the Passion

Actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon pivoted from iconic Oscar-winning roles to entrepreneurs of passion-built businesses. With GOOP and Hello Sunshine, respectively, these well established actresses used credibility earned with their Oscar wins to gain attention and notoriety for their business endeavors. Another example, director James Cameron, who won an Oscar for Titanic, and is well known for pushing the boundaries of art and science in filmmaking with blockbusters like Avatar and The Terminator, can passionately elaborate on his adoption of technology to help amplify an important tech-centric conference theme. 

Create Memorable Entertainment 

Entertainment is a cornerstone of award shows like the Oscars, with captivating performances, musical acts, and comedic interludes keeping audiences engaged throughout the night. Brands can incorporate entertainment into their events to create memorable experiences for attendees. This could include live performances, interactive installations, or immersive storytelling experiences.

Expand Reach with Social Media

The Oscars generate significant buzz on social media platforms, with millions of users sharing their thoughts, reactions, and favorite moments in real time. Brands can leverage social media to amplify their event’s reach, engage with attendees, and generate excitement before, during, and after the event. Encouraging attendees to share photos, videos, and updates using event-specific hashtags can extend the event’s visibility and create a sense of community.

Production Value Matters

Production value is paramount at the Oscars, with meticulous attention to detail in set design, lighting, and audiovisual effects. Brands can elevate their event by investing in high-quality production values that create a visually stunning and immersive experience for attendees. Whether it’s stunning stage design, state-of-the-art technology, or professional-grade audiovisual equipment, production value contributes to the overall atmosphere and impact of the event.

Award shows like the Oscars do more than just shine a spotlight on the stars and the latest in pop culture. They also offer a guide on how to create a memorable and exclusive experience. By harnessing the power of celebrity and entertainment, brands can raise their events to new heights and stand out in a crowded marketplace.