MSC Cruises is the most modern sail cruiser company in the world. Currently, its fleet counts 11 unexcelled ships in terms of guest comfort. We are recognized in the travel industry for our highly technological ships that comply with the ecological requirements (our respect for the nature is attested by the Ecoship certificate), for the great moments spent and superior services provided on our floating cities. Our guests choose us for the relaxed adventure, amazing food and the SPA splendor. We offer the best price-quality deals in the branch. Our target includes medium –high income customers.
The official website is www.msccrociere.it . Recently the company has launched its online community MSC Friends: www.mscfriends.com. This is the first virtual community project developed by a Brand.
MSC Friends is a community bringing together the logistics of social networking and the virtual reality. The 2D part presents all the traditional functions of a social network platform: profile, pictures and video uploads, different options to interact with friends. However, unlike the rest of the communities, MSC Friends has something entirely different: a 3D MSC cruiser to explore virtually through your own avatar. On board, the guests can chat among themselves, play at the casino, change clothes in their own rooms, participate to organized treasure hunts and gain points which subsequently can be used for discounts or prizes.
WHAT IS IT ?
In this step you will find information about the Brand Builder, who is asking you to propose a Solution for the challenge. He introduces himself (as a Brand of course :) The more you understand about the Brand, the more chances you have to create what is wanted.
IMPORTANT: There is a possibility that the Brand Builder prefers not to disclose who he is, usually for confidentiality reasons. Such Briefs will be published in an anonymous way. In this case the Brand Builder will say as much as he feels comfortable saying.
Here are two EXAMPLES
In case there is no problem with disclosing the identity (VISIBLE):
“NMN -No More Nicotine- is a Brand that promises to counteract the damages to the skin that can be caused by smoking. NMN is distributed in pharmacies and drugstores and its price positioning is middle-high; it is mainly promoted through professional endorsement and is not massively advertised.”
In case the Brand doesn’t want to disclose his identity (ANONYMOUS):
“Brand counteracting the damages to skin caused by smoking. Its products are distributed in pharmacies and drugstores with a middle-high price positioning; they are mainly promoted through professional endorsement and are not massively advertised.”
In summary: Who is your client (in a visible or “anonymous” way :)
What we ask Creators is to develop a video with a viral/teasing character to promote MSC Friends, the online community previously described. The approximate length should be 20 sec. We are not expecting the video to describe in detail the community but to build suspense, to be emotional, teasing to raise the interest of the viewer and convince him/her to register on mscfriends.com
The call to action at the end of the video must be something similar to “click www.mscfriends.com to register”.
WHAT IS IT ?
This is the task the Brand Builder asks you to accomplish. If you don’t understand it, you are completely out of luck !
EXAMPLE
“We ask the Creators to develop a print advertising campaign in order to increase Brand’s visibility. It will be used in national magazines this spring.”
In summary: It’s the objective of the client, therefore your objective too !
The video is addressing a broad target without any age limitations including not only computer savvy people but computerly challenged ones as well as those new to the social networks. We have decided to address these people as well since MSC Friends is very easy to use – the registration is simple and the 2D and 3D functionalities are all user friendly.
WHAT IS IT?
People that the Brand Builder wants you to entertain and persuade to think, feel or do something using your creation. Usually you will read about their age, sex, social level and behaviors. You should always keep that information in mind while creating, as the target audience is the final recipient of what you create.
EXAMPLE
“Smoking girls and women who would like to quit smoking but can’t. Usually health-conscious adults who care about their looks. They feel guilty about smoking because they know it is harmful. They read books about it. This is a real problem for them: it’s like “My brain wants something, but my body acts of its own accord”. They don’t relate to my brand, they are just waiting for a trustworthy “helping hand”.
In summary: Get under their skin !
We want users to click the registration link with enthusiasm, to take the registration process till the very end and to visit and participate in the MSC Friends community.
Additionally we want them to share the video with their friends and turn into MSC Friends ambassadors convincing them to join the 3D social network.
WHAT IS IT?
The thing that the Brand Builder wants to make the target audience think/feel/do because of your creation.
Here are some very concrete examples:
∞ Some things people can think/feel:
- There is a new Brand (or product or idea or...) out there
- This Brand is better than the alternatives or than it used to be
- This Brand is worth paying more for
∞ Some things people can do:
- Start buying the Brand’s products
- Buy the Brand more often
- Stock more products of the Brand in their outlets
The above written examples are very concrete whilst often the proposition of the Brief is emotional. That’s even better as it can be more inspiring!
EXAMPLE
“We’d like to encourage smokers to use NMN in order to minimize the damage to their health while they are keeping giving up smoking (especially if they’ve already tried and failed before).”
In summary: Get inside their brain !
MSC Friends is the first online community project around a specific Brand. Moreover it is extremely easy to use. All they need to do in order to understand its potential is to join.
Millions of people relate today through social networking tools – why not doing the same through a user friendly virtual reality?
WHAT IS IT?
This is the key to achieving the objective. It is what supports the proposition and makes it believable. Usually it is a rational statement.
EXAMPLE
“Every cigarette you smoke is causing damage to your appearance. A recent study took several pairs of identical twins where one twin was a lifelong smoker and the other had never smoked. The smokers’ skin was a quarter thinner than that of non-smokers, and in some cases there were differences of up to 40%. NMN contains thinning-blocking anti-oxidants which counteract the effect of nicotine on the skin.”
In summary: You are looking for arguments? You’ll find them here!
∞ Technological;
∞ Adventurous;
∞ Relaxing;
∞ Dreamer.
WHAT IS IT?
It’s who the Brand is. Yes... who!
Treat the Brand as a human being, as it has its own personality. To know the personality of the “client” is fundamental in order to provide a tailor-made job. So, read carefully the listed adjectives...
EXAMPLE
“Scientific, trustworthy, result-oriented, ‘a party’ to achieve your goals.”
In summary: Imagine the live person !
All video sharing websites. We will organize seeding activities on social networks, forums, online communities and other aggregation websites. Video display advertising is possible as well.
WHAT IS IT?
A list of places (or media, or things) where the target audience will see the outcome of your creation. In this step sometimes the Brand will also acknowledge you how much he plans to invest into production. This information will give you an insight whether to create a BIG project or make it small... :)
EXAMPLE
“This campaign is going to appear in lifestyle- and health-focused women magazines of New Zealand, during the spring of 2009. We plan to invest 500,000 USD, which means approximately buying 100 single pages.”
In summary: Consider the medium !
You are free to choose the type of video materials and their montage. The following link will allow you to download several ship pictures which might be useful to get your creative juices flowing.
http://www.mscnetwork.com/Download/Ambienti_nave.zip
Here are a couple of video examples that we like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBGeDaRsYPw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlD8Dvvc86w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6_gYLPOkRU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vWrYtH6dtE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RgMwZlqyNI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8zFRCJy7M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dc-8IIHefs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqqYKorJ9jE
We strongly recommend Creators to register at www.mscfriends.com and surf around all the community sections. Post project, the winning Creator might get the possibility to collaborate with MSC Cruisers for further similar initiatives.
If the Brand has preferences or technical requirements that your Solution has to match, you will find them here.
Here are some items that you may find in this section:
∞ Guidelines or mandatory inclusions (do’s and/or don’ts)
∞ Business objectives
∞ Market and competitors overview
∞ Good and bad samples
Depending on the Brief, you may also find some files attached with a logo, pictures of product(s), a template that you should use in order to submit your ideas, or any other file that the Brand wants to share with you. So, study the attachments before starting creating.
In summary: Anything else you need to know (not written in the 7 steps before) !
