The Hunger Games: Catching Fire


Overview

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ignited the box office and broke records in it's opening weekend and has quickly become known as one of 2013 most successful movie social media campaigns. Since its November 22nd release it was been the #1 movie for two weeks in a row; in its first 10 days, the blazing blockbuster earned over $296 million domestically and set new records. Digital Media Management was proud to partner with Lionsgate to strategize, manage and execute one of the year's most successful movie social media campaigns which provided an interactive experience for movie-going fans on all social media platforms, and to position the highly anticipated sequel as the must-see event movie of the year.

lionsgate

Objectives

During its opening weekend, Catching Fire earned $158.1 million domestically – the biggest opening ever for the month of November, as well as the sixth-biggest opening of all-time. Leading to its release date, Digital Media Management fueled fan excitement on social media by highlighting the critical acclaim, focusing that the biggest Games yet had to be seen opening weekend, and targeted key talent’s fanbase by creating tailored countdown images for them to share.

As the special Thursday 8pm and midnight showings began, we engaged with fans by encouraging them submit photos of their costumes, tickets, and movie-going experience using the movie’s hashtag on Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. Through the weekend, we engaged with fans and shared stellar entries, which prompted fans to want to join in the experience, buy tickets with their friends, and dress up and make it an event to watch Catching Fire opening weekend.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, the social media campaign continued in high gear with Catching Fire once again heating up the box office and earned $109.9 million from Wednesday to Sunday, setting a new record for the holiday weekend. Keeping a close eye and engaging with influencers on social media was also part of Digital Media Management’s role, and some celebrity Influencers that gave glowing tweets included Jaden SmithTyler OakleyKylie JennerChord OverstreetHayley WilliamsEllen DeGeneres, and Emma Roberts. The success of this movie’s social media campaign came from the high engagement levels between the movie and its fan base. We asked fans to share their own reviews, which generated tremendous positive reactions, and encouraged them to watch it (or see it again) with their friends and loved ones over the long weekend by tweeting who they were taking to see it with.