United Methodist Church
“Connect with Joy”
PLATINUM AWARD | Marcom Awards
Strategic Communications | Marketing/Promotion Campaign | Integrated Marketing 2022
SILVER AWARD | The Davey Awards
Outdoor/Environmental Billboard
Challenge
After a 2020 Christmas apart, The United Methodist Church wanted to celebrate the joy of connection in 2021. With a major media buy in Times Square and a limited production budget, we needed a solution that would stand out from the glitzy holiday clutter while feeling warm and heartfelt.
After a 2020 Christmas apart, The United Methodist Church wanted to celebrate the joy of connection in 2021. With a major media buy in Times Square and a limited production budget, we needed a solution that would stand out from the glitzy holiday clutter while feeling warm and heartfelt.
Solution
We created simple, illustrated animations showing people reconnecting during the holidays through a series of cozy New York windowscapes. This approach allowed us to deliver emotional storytelling that felt inviting and human—without the need for large-scale live production.
We created simple, illustrated animations showing people reconnecting during the holidays through a series of cozy New York windowscapes. This approach allowed us to deliver emotional storytelling that felt inviting and human—without the need for large-scale live production.
Results
Times Square – Seven :15 animated boards ran for four weeks, generating 31.7M+ impressions and appearances on Good Morning America and New Year’s Eve broadcasts.
Connected TV – :30 animated spot with music and VO delivered 2.8M impressions with a 97.8% completion rate.
Social + OOH – Illustrated billboards and motion ads across top markets and TikTok delivered 18M+ impressions and 41K+ clicks, with 77% engagement on the “Find a Church” CTA.
This project highlighted how thoughtful concepting and design can maximize impact for a nonprofit client while telling a joyful, human story during the holidays.
My Role
As Art Director, I not only helped create the concept, I illustrated and animated it!
As Art Director, I not only helped create the concept, I illustrated and animated it!
It's not everyday you get to see your work displayed in Times Square, of course I had to see them up close!
Originally, the campaign was meant for Times Square, but the client enjoyed it so much they asked us to adapt it to be used as their primary Christmas campaign, which included Connected TV, Social Ads and Billboards across the nation.
