THE BIG WRAP UP SHOW -
THE BIG WRAP UP SHOW -
MICROSOFT - LONDON, UK
In partnership with Momentum Worldwide, I had the privilege of working on the prestigious Microsoft UK account during the COVID-19 pandemic—a time that challenged us to rethink audience engagement and innovate like never before.
Amidst fluctuating restrictions and widespread year-end fatigue, our task was to engage a remote workforce in a way that felt fresh and festive. We knew that a single, large-scale event might not suffice to capture the sustained attention of our audience. To address this, we conceived the ‘2021: Microsoft Unwrapped’ experience—a 14-day virtual countdown calendar that unveiled daily gifts, rewards, and exclusive content, culminating in ‘The Big Wrap-Up Show.’
After an extensive search, we selected Stone Nest, a Grade II listed former Presbyterian church nestled in the West End. This ethereal venue offered the perfect ambient setting for our grand finale, balancing historical charm with the scope for technical integration of a modern, live-broadcast event.
Our goal for ‘The Big Wrap-Up Show’ was to elevate the ordinary into an awe-inspiring spectacle that promoted unity despite physical distance. The hybrid event offered both an intimate in-person experience and a fully immersive virtual event, integrating Microsoft’s Yammer for interactive elements such as polls, games, and live dial-ins. A universal design language unified the digital and physical realms, ensuring a cohesive and engaging experience for all attendees.
The creative process was central to the success of this event. We started with the careful crafting of storyboards, technical scripts, and run-of-show documents, fostering a culture of cross-functional collaboration to ensure cohesion and transparency while minimising information silos. 3D modelling and pre-visualisation were employed to analyse mixed media formats and audience viewing angles, refining art direction to maintain a clear and consistent vision.
The integrated audiovisual design was instrumental in creating an immersive and captivating experience, leveraging advanced motion graphics, pre-recorded segments, and real-time vision mixing to deliver a dynamic and visually engaging broadcast.
Recognising the historical charm yet technical limitations of Stone Nest, we implemented significant infrastructure upgrades to meet the demands of a live broadcast. Given the live nature of the event, contingency planning was a critical component of our strategy. We implemented a series of fail-safe redundancy systems to ensure the continuous operation of all critical services. This included the installation of a high-speed fibre optic network, supplemented by a secondary Starlink network to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. Power distribution loads were carefully calculated and synchronized with backup generators to safeguard against potential outages. Our rigorous testing protocols and backup systems were designed to mitigate risks, allowing us to proceed with confidence.
Hosted by the incomparable Claudia Winkleman, the finale dazzled audiences with an array of star-studded acts and captivating performances. The night featured soul-stirring live sets by revered artists Rag’n’Bone Man and the electrifying Clean Bandit. This spectacular event was an undeniable triumph, offering Microsoft UK employees and their families the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and celebrate a well-deserved victory after a year of challenges.
‘The Big Wrap-Up Show’ not only met but exceeded client expectations, underscoring the importance of creativity, inclusivity, and meticulous planning in virtual event production. It proved that even amidst unprecedented challenges, a memorable and meaningful celebration is not only possible but can be executed flawlessly.
MEDIA CREDIT: Microsoft UK