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ANDY Awards

Creative Award
New York, United States
Xbox 360 - "Believe" by ANDY Awards 2008

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TitleBelieve
Agency
Campaign Halo: Heroic Story Telling (Believe) - Xbox 360
Advertiser Microsoft
Brand Xbox 360
PostedJune 2009
Product Halo 3
Business Sector Video Games/Consoles
Story SUMMARY:

The series was launched in 2002 with “Halo: Combat Evolved”. 2004 saw the launch of Halo 2, which became the most played game on Xbox LIVE, Xbox’s online gaming property. The game has gathered a hard core following of fans over the years, known affectionately as the Halo Nation. Halo 3’s ‘Believe’ is a landmark campaign for 21st century integrated marketing communications, where media and creative have been combined across numerous channels to tell an epic story.


Starting with phase 1 - “Believe” for the Halo Nation –, it was necessary to build momentum and create a buzz in the pre-launch phase. A teaser spot was aired a year before launch which ran only once on TV in the 5 key EMEA markets. With internet promotion preceding the spot making it an appointment to view, it was simulcast live on xbox.com across the region in parallel to the TV airing.


Phase 2 followed by bringing to life the Museum of Humanity which meant being smart with media. Cinema and TV were employed for an epic, emotional launch of the concept and Internet for further reach, engaging long format films and interactive content.


The final phase before launch was focused on maximising buzz, noise and hype in the market with the key launch window at retail: long format AV and outdoor, online and print media, to roadblock the weeks in the run up to the title hitting shelves.

Simultaneously, a huge PR and events push drove unprecedented editorial column inches, throughout mainstream as well as specialist press, and ensured that the whole world was excited about the Halo 3 launch. The night before launch, celebrity film style premiere parties were held, linked to Xbox LIVE and to streaming on xbox.com.


The first hint of success was when pre‐orders for the game passed 1 million deposits across EMEA, before the game was even on shelves. By the end of the year, EMEA’s to‐date sales were at 1.8 million – a full 20% ahead of the total year’s target. This meant another 600,000 Halo Believers. The mission was to achieve the highest opening day sales ever recorded. Global opening day sales were recorded at £84m. This made it easily the longest 24 hours of revenue in entertainment history, at 110% of the old Spiderman 3 record. By the end of the first week, £150m had been collected in total – another record.
Media Type Promotion & Event
AI Description The ad for the Xbox 360 campaign 'Believe' prominently features a series of dramatic diorama displays in a museum-like setting. Each display showcases miniatures representing soldiers in battle, emphasizing a melancholic and heroic atmosphere. The dominant grayscale color palette adds to the intense and immersive ambiance. These highly detailed scenes draw on the theme of heroism and sacrifice, intended to resonate emotionally with the audience. Lighting is used strategically to focus attention on key elements of the story being told. This is part of an integrated marketing approach to the Halo 3 game, meant to generate buzz and engagement prior to its release.