Brand Storytelling completed its fifth annual BRAND STORYTELLING AT SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL from January 22 – 26, 2020. Launched in 2016, this unique “festival within a festival” has significantly grown over the past five years, attracting major brands and high-profile content development and distribution entities including; media and production companies, platforms, talent, advertising, content and PR agencies.
Over 250 attendees were present at the invite-only, sold-out event for keynote chats, panel presentations, film premiers and screenings, live musical performances and more. Basecamp for the event was The Lodges at Deer Valley, a five minute shuttle off Main Street, Park City, with special events at the Stein Eriksen Lodge.
Highlights of the week included the first-ever Clio “Storytelling for Good Award,” presented to winner Sandy Hook Promise “Back to School Essentials” from agency BBDO New York. The award celebrated branded entertainment and content that creates or promotes awareness for a cause, foundation, organization and/or political or social issue.
On Thursday, January 23, Jingle Jared Gutstadt, actor/singer Dennis Quaid and country singer-songwriter Scarlett Burke, discussed new musical narrative podcasts they have launched together and the opportunity for future brand integration followed by a special musical performance.
On Friday, January 24, Twitter sponsored the Honor Roll Showcase. Honorees include: Paola Mottola (REI), Angela Matusik (HP), Sarah Colamarino (Johnson & Johnson), Marc Battaglia (Marriott International), Kirstin Falk (Charles Schwab) and Allison Polly (Pepsico). These honorees were showcased with a video of their work to a packed house.
Other Friday highlights included the trailer premiere and partnership announcement between UM Studios and the USPS’s film releasing at Christmas 2020, and on Saturday, the screening of several branded films and panels including Here Am I, Send Me (Cisco), which stars various Army Rangers and a Goldstar Mom, and Into America’s Wild (Brand USA, Exepdia, American Airlines), whose panel included astronaut John Herrington.
The weekend closed with Three Rising Stars: Musical Lineup for Brand Storytelling 2020, curated by Passion Point Collective. Singer-songwriters Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano from Johnnyswim, Swedish songstress LÉON and up and coming female country music artist Kylie Morgan entertained attendees on the final night of Brand Storytelling 2020.
ALSO READ: Watch ‘Wake Up,’ Olivia Wilde’s new short film
“The most successful brands today are those who are invested in content that entertains, informs and inspires their target audience and retains customers. This is the most significant shift in media and marketing in generations and is what drives the popularity of Brand Storytelling at Sundance,” said Rick Parkhill, Director of Brand Storytelling.
