Migration
A multiformat collaboration between the critically acclaimed animated film and the University of Oregon's athletics-- with me finding myself in the middle of all of it.

Year
2023
Credits

Manager: Ami Murby

Universal: Jen Cartelli, Hillary Johnson

Illumination: Caroline Morgan

Allied Global Marketing: Megan Bernovich, Tatum Johnson

Learfield: Kelly Schukart and Ellen Graham

ROLE

Consultant, Advisor, Costume Handler and Campus Representative

"This isn't about migration, it's about-- uh...adventure! Seeing what else life has to offer! Is that a little scary? Sure. But isn't it worth it?"

As a part of my ongoing work with Universal Studios, I was given the chance to help assist in a partnership that brought together people from 5 different companies and 8 different units across the country: a multi-game social, digital, and experiential partnership between Illumination Entertainment (of Despicable Me and Minions fame)'s Migration, and the University of Oregon's Athletics Department. The collaboration included:

  • Multiple social posts from the Oregon Duck's heavily engaged with online presence, including his >800k follower TikTok account
  • Giant banners placed on the outside of Autzen Stadium during the Ducks' final regular season Pac-12 game ever
  • Digital placements of the film's trailer on jumbotrons in both Autzen and Matthew Knight Arena during multiple basketball games, including during a landmark win v. Michigan
  • Experiential placements with a performer wearing a costume of Gwen Mallard from the movie, alongside merch giveaways before games
  • Performances broadcast via jumbotron featuring both the performer and the Oregon Duck
  • Assisting with the Duck's zipline entrance into Autzen stadium, including performing alongside the Gwen performer as a member of the 'red carpet paparazzi' for the Duck
  • A full collaborative merchandise line with Nike

At first I was looped in to the campaign as Universal's Campus Representative for the University of Oregon; but I was quickly able to rise beyond the role of just student envoy over the course of the campaign. In total, my role working on the campaign included:

  • Consulting on the copy and content behind the social placements by giving feedback from the Gen Z demo they were targeting
  • Assisting with the actual filming during a full shoot day with private access into Oregon's athletic facilities, including going on-field at Autzen
  • Working with performers to both ensure their health and safety and to direct and improve their performance
  • Assisting on-site (including full sideline and on-field access) for the Oregon v. Oregon State football game on Nov. 24
  • Working as a photographer and performer handler during the Oregon v. Michigan basketball game on Dec. 2nd
  • 2-day turnaround and delivery with full edits for a package of nearly 1500 photos
  • Giving feedback on the collaborative merchandise collection with Nike

It was an unbelievable experience with so many moving parts that put me in the center of a real campaign with real money behind it, not just pro-bono work or a student organization or a pitch only like with NSAC. To be honest, I felt incredibly out of my depth at the start but the incredible team members from Universal's Global Partnerships team, Illumination's marketing team, Learfield and Oregon Athletics all helped me to find my confidence and my footing in that kind of environment. There were plenty of difficulties and roadblocks along the way but I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to embrace the scale and the chaos and to really go crazy.

 

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