The Madden 16
In 2015 a rag tag team of athletes and celebrities came together on a singular mission, to play Madden NFL 16, and save the world. Wait, dammit. That's two missions.
Together with EA and the creators of Robot Chicken, we launched a fun, integrated campaign of broadcast and digital content, that was both real time and reactive to events throughout the NFL season. Check out the entire 17 episode miniseries and content below.
Creating the Madden 16
We wrote in 16 characters, including 6 NFL stars, a coach, Russell Westbrook, WWE Diva AJ Lee, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, a T-Rex, an robotic human-bear hybrid, Phil Simms, Jim Nantz, and our friend Jayson Hobby.
Fantasy Disaster
Dynamic Video
By scrubbing data from social we were able to generate tailored spots featuring the viewer's favorite teams and stars. For example, in the above episode, the squad saves one fan's fantasy season by recommending a sleeper unique to the viewer’s team.
Super Volcano
Bye Week
Real Time Content
By scripting numerous endings to episodes, and recording new VO to match events that unfolded throughout the season, we were able to react in real time. Check out the one we released for DeMarco Murray's infamous return to Dallas below.
Angry Fans
Madden Season Tumblr
Just like in the series, our team needed a HQ to operate from. That became MaddenSeason.Tumblr.com, EA's first foray into the medium. With all of our episodes as well as tons of additional content to share, average site times topped nearly six minutes, beating every industry standard available.
American Premier League
Lil Pepper on Sportscenter (Coming Soon)
ESPN SportsCenter Integration
During the shoot, we recorded tons of "press conference" footage with our puppets, and worked with ESPN to cut from actual news stories to the Madden 16, so they could weigh in and comment on the NFL season.
Scared Straight
Thanksgiving Special
Lost Puppy
Puppet Love
Each puppet got their real-life human counterpart to re-skin their social media pages reflecting their miniature Madden persona—introducing Madden to millions of new, young fans from the NBA, WWE, and NFL.
Big Budget Real Time Superbowl Special
Results
In addition to the ridiculous site time and millions of impressions on Twitter, all in all the Madden 16 campaign generated 30+ million combined video views, sat at the top of Youtube's charts for 3 days, as Madden become America's number 1 selling sports video game.
Ghosts of the 1960's Green Bay Packers
Hold Out Hope
Public Service Gronkouncement
Rebuilding the Franchise
Holiday Special