Ocean Outdoor UK announces new prize category for its 2024 digital creation competition

Ocean Outdoor UK has introduced a new prize category in its annual digital creative competition, inviting brands and agencies to submit ideas to win space on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.

Submissions are now being accepted for Printworks Skylights, which is part of a £21 million refurbishment of Printworks Manchester. The relaunch of the entertainment destination has already delivered a record 68% year-on-year increase in footfall during the immediate launch period (source: Manchester Printworks).

Brands and agencies who submit original concepts that exploit the scale and technical opportunities of the vast 900m² fully movable ceiling, have the opportunity to win the only prize in this category: two weeks on Printworks SkyLights to bring their campaign idea.

Part of Manchester’s busiest shopping and leisure district, Printworks is home to over 20 bars, restaurants and leisure venues, including the flagship Vue cinema, one of the largest IMAX screens in Europe.

The new LED canopy that spans the interior streets and courtyard of Printworks is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including Deep Ocean Screen® and programmable sound and lighting, allowing the audience to interact with the creative via a separate large-format interactive electronic game screen.

Higher Level Thinking

Dan Davis, Printworks Center Director, said: “Creativity and innovation are at the heart of everything we do at Printworks, as we strive to create immersive and entertaining experiences. So we are very excited to see the ideas that this competition will generate. It’s a unique award that will be showcased on Europe’s largest digital ceiling and we can’t wait to see the entries. »

Marie Le Hur, Marketing Director at Ocean Outdoor UK, said: “Printworks SkyLights is a unique environment that pushes the boundaries of digital out-of-home. It facilitates next-level thinking and is fully deserving of its own award category. Our challenge to brands and agencies is to use this canvas – and the Printworks environment – ​​for bold ideas that will play out beyond the physical realm.”

Large format digital DOOH (out of home) campaigns, which benefit from proven amplification and public relations potential, are regularly shared on social networks. Ocean’s latest neuroscience research measures this trend and shows a 21% increase in brand perception when a DOOH campaign is shared on social media, compared to a traditional brand post.

All you need is an idea

Ocean’s annual competition, now in its 15th year, calls for bold ideas and original concepts that push creative possibilities from outside, using the latest DOOH technology in premium formats and environments of Ocean.

Previous winners’ campaigns have won multiple Cannes Lions.

The other two prize categories in the competition are for commercial brands and non-profit organizations. Prizes are awarded to the top three ideas in each of these categories, with winners receiving airtime on the Ocean network and sharing in a prize pool of £500,000 to bring their campaigns to life.

This year, Ocean will work with the winners to bring their campaigns to life both across its premium DOOH network and through the brands’ chosen social channels.

To keep the application process simple, concepts should combine JPEG images or a short video with a 200-word written narrative. The competition is free and the closing date is August 23. Winners are judged by a panel of independent experts and announced on October 9.

To learn more, please visit here.