WHATSAPP - NAIJA ODYSSEY
Project
WHATSAPP - NAIJA ODYSSEY
Client
Role
Concept, creative direction, script, social, talent interview, design, writing
Market
Global
Year
2022
LAUNCHING WHATAPP'S FIRST GLOBAL PLATFORM BY MERGING THE NBA WITH THE ODYSSEY
WhatsApp asked up to celebrate the millions of immigrants balancing multiple cultures — their birth countries and their new home country. NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had done that his whole life. We helped him proudly embrace both his Nigerian and Greek identities, then shared his story with the world through a film for Amazon Prime.
“A standout moment for the company this year”
–Vivian Odior - WhatsApp, Head of Global Marketing
WATCH THE TRAILER
THE ODYSSEY TOLD THROUGH A MODERN NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
We reinterpreted the ancient fable to mirror the life of our star, Giannis. This was a singluar story, but one that everyone could relate to — fighting to find your sense of self. The film was shot across three continents and was the first long form film WhatsApp ever produced.
WATCH THE FULL FILM
We didn’t go the traditional script route. This is a fresh approach to telling a superstar’s life story”
— Ghada Soufan, WhatsApp Global Brand Marketing Manager
DEFINING A BRAND PLATFORM FOR FOR 2 BILLION
We led the development of the new platform There’s No One Like Us and made it a a rallying cry for countless people like Giannis who are proud of their mixed heritage. The film and platform launched simultaneously around the world and turned Giannis into WhatsApp’s first global brand ambassador.
WE TEASED THE FILM WITH A VIRAL NBA MOMENT
We hijacked the NBA All-Star Game to tease the Giannis x WhatsApp partnership. Giannis arrived wearing a custom hoodie handcrafted in Nigeria by luxury designer Post-Imperial, proudly displaying the Nigerian spelling of his name for the first time, alongside Nigeria’s +234 calling code. With the world’s press watching, the hoodie put his Nigerian identity front and center and lit up social.
NYC FILM PREMIER
Naija Odyssey premiered at the Metrograph Theatre in New York's Lower East Side with Giannis, his family and hundreds of the city's cultural diasporas — a universal celebration of mixed heritage.
Produced in partnership with our friends at Translation, Partizan, Lede and Post Imperial.
LAUNCHING WHATAPP'S FIRST GLOBAL PLATFORM BY MERGING THE NBA WITH THE ODYSSEY
WhatsApp asked up to celebrate the millions of immigrants balancing multiple cultures — their birth countries and their new home country. NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had done that his whole life. We helped him proudly embrace both his Nigerian and Greek identities, then shared his story with the world through a film for Amazon Prime.
“A standout moment for the company this year”
–Vivian Odior - WhatsApp, Head of Global Marketing
WATCH THE TRAILER
THE ODYSSEY TOLD THROUGH A MODERN NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
We reinterpreted the ancient fable to mirror the life of our star, Giannis. This was a singluar story, but one that everyone could relate to — fighting to find your sense of self. The film was shot across three continents and was the first long form film WhatsApp ever produced.
WATCH THE FULL FILM
We didn’t go the traditional script route. This is a fresh approach to telling a superstar’s life story”
— Ghada Soufan, WhatsApp Global Brand Marketing Manager
DEFINING A BRAND PLATFORM FOR FOR 2 BILLION
We led the development of the new platform There’s No One Like Us and made it a a rallying cry for countless people like Giannis who are proud of their mixed heritage. The film and platform launched simultaneously around the world and turned Giannis into WhatsApp’s first global brand ambassador.
WE TEASED THE FILM WITH A VIRAL NBA MOMENT
We hijacked the NBA All-Star Game to tease the Giannis x WhatsApp partnership. Giannis arrived wearing a custom hoodie handcrafted in Nigeria by luxury designer Post-Imperial, proudly displaying the Nigerian spelling of his name for the first time, alongside Nigeria’s +234 calling code. With the world’s press watching, the hoodie put his Nigerian identity front and center and lit up social.
NYC FILM PREMIER
Naija Odyssey premiered at the Metrograph Theatre in New York's Lower East Side with Giannis, his family and hundreds of the city's cultural diasporas — a universal celebration of mixed heritage.
Produced in partnership with our friends at Translation, Partizan, Lede and Post Imperial.