Max Kicks Off Marketing Campaign for Europe Launch
Warner Bros. Discovery’s enhanced streaming service, Max, unveiled its European marketing campaign ahead of its launch in the first European countries on 21st May*. Through the campaign, consumers across 20 countries in the Nordics, Iberia and Central and Eastern Europe will get a first look and feel of the Max brand and the sheer breadth of the content on offer, including smash hit Dune: Part Two that will be available to watch on the service on launch day**.
The multifaceted campaign is inspired by the premise that Max makes you feel differently. The creative showcases the breadth and depth of the streamer’s high quality and varying content by visually constructing the idea that the viewer is transported physically and emotionally through watching on Max.
Starting with the anthem TV spot, the viewer is taken on an immersive journey through various worlds, as if travelling through different Max content. From the comfort of the sofa, the on-screen viewer is transported to a dragon laden fiery battlefield where the fight within House Targaryen is in fierce play. Then, as she is plunged into the deep with aquatic life from Discovery’s nature genre, the viewer experiences a moment of calm before coming up for breath to find herself being splashed by Olympic Games Paris 2024 swimmers, mid-competition. From the pool, she is catapulted into a cloudy mist where a Quidditch match is in play and a near collision with Harry Potter on his Nimbus 2000 sends her into a dreamscape world with snippets from popular titles, such as Dune: Part Two and 90 Day Fiancé flashing past her.
The viewer’s emotions and reactions visibly change as she reacts to the different worlds she visits, establishing the notion that Max is rooted in feelings. She then comes back down to earth in an awe-struck state, reflecting on the iconic and exciting content slate on Max. The advert was built in a modular fashion, allowing for the various markets launching Max in the region to showcase locally produced titles based on the offering in each country (title availability varies by country). This video can be viewed here.
For the out of home and digital creative, the design is intended to spark an emotional connection and build brand awareness of Max. In these static and animated builds, bold messages are partnered with highly anticipated content from the Warner Bros. Discovery slate. For instance, the advert for House of the Dragon S2 states ‘Where Rivalries Unite Us’, and for Dune: Part Two ‘Where Blockbusters Transport You’. The multi-title assets featured in the digital and outdoor creative are designed to showcase the breadth across genres that Max brings such as House of the Dragon alongside 90 Day Fiancé and the Harry Potter film collection.
This part of the campaign taps into the essence of what it is to be human – to unite, to be moved, to remember – which consumers across the region can relate to and share in.
To reflect the diverse nature of Europe, each market will rollout out a localised version of the campaign, allowing consumers to better relate to the service. For example, in Norway, top talent from the country will take viewers on a comedic walk through the new product, detailing its name and hinting at some of the biggest shows they’re looking forward to watching on Max.
Rebecca Rormark, SVP Marketing, Streaming EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery commented: “Delivering the creative campaign for the launch of Max in Europe is an incredibly proud and important moment. The European launch marks the start of a very exciting global journey. It also builds on our long heritage in Europe, bringing together an incredible breadth and depth of culture-defining entertainment from our services and networks, all in one place. We have captured this by creating, developing and producing a hero TV spot inspired by how our content makes you feel differently as part of broad and strategic pan-EMEA campaign that epitomises everything Max stands for and brings the brand to life.”
Max launches in Iberia, Nordics and countries in Central and Eastern Europe on 21st May, with further launches in France, Netherlands, Poland and Belgium on 11th June*.
*WBD’s enhanced streaming service will be called HBO Max in the Netherlands and Belgium.
** Not all titles available on launch.
Press Contacts
Richard Lambert richard.lambert@wbd.com
Kabir Parhar kabir.parhar@wbd.com
Notes to Editors
The Max marketing campaign was produced in partnership with entertainment creative advertising and marketing specialist, Once Upon a Time, and brand consultancy and creative agency, BigSmall. The fully integrated campaign’s strategy and outdoor, digital and various AV assets were the work of Once Upon a Time. The TV anthem spot and cinema creative was led by Big Small.
About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, BluTV, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, Max, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit http://www.wbd.com.
About Max
Max® is a streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery, delivering unparalleled quality content for everyone in the household. With a personalized user experience that brings unique stories ranging from the best of unscripted to the highest quality in scripted programming, Max is the destination for HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, Max Originals, the DC universe, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as an expansive offering of kids and family content from brands such as Cartoon Network and Discovery Kids, adult animation from Adult Swim, and best-in-class programming across food, home, reality, lifestyle, and documentaries from leading brands like Discovery Channel, Discovery Home & Health, ID and more, all in one place. The platform launched in the United States in May 2023, and in 39 territories across Latin America and the Caribbean on February 27, 2024.