GoogleStranger Things
Animation
Copywriting
Campaign
Google asked us to concept, design, and create a massive campaign consisting of a series of cross-promotion ads connecting Google Search with the world of Stranger Things. The goal was twofold: showcase Google’s newest product features in a clear, engaging way and express them through the tone, energy, and supernatural charm of the show.
Our work was brought to life as a suite of ads for Netflix, YouTube, social platforms, paid placements, as well as Google’s and Netflix’s own channels.
Each piece highlighted a different feature of Search or AI Mode and wrapped it in Stranger Things-themed storytelling, motion, and UI design.
We built a campaign that treated Google’s products as characters in the Stranger Things world. Our approach elevated product UI animation into expressive, story-driven sequences that felt unmistakably “Google,” yet lived comfortably inside the Hawkins universe.
Stranger Things in Search
The "hero" video for this entire campaign; A long-form ad designed primarily to be shown during the 2025 Christmas Day Football Game to prime audiences for the series finale of Stranger Things.
Estimated viewership of ~65 million on game day, and tens of millions more views on YouTube and social media since launch.
Catch me up
The piece that launched the campaign, centered around the idea of using Google's tools to get caught up on the show prior to the season 5 premiere.
Watch party
A shorter and more energetic execution, this ad leans into the idea of using Google tools to create a perfect Stranger Things-themed watch party, just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend premiere.
Creative development & Production
We refined story, motion, and UI behavior through fast cycles of exploration and feedback. We shaped the tone, pacing, and visual language to create a clear blend of Google product clarity and Stranger Things atmosphere.
From there, we built out the full campaign system, producing final assets along with all cutdowns, resizes, and adaptations. The result was a cohesive suite of work ready for Google’s broad media rollout.
Treating UI Like a Light Source
We used depth and normal-driven relighting to allow the search bar to cast convincing light onto characters and objects, pushing the effect beyond simple roto and into the physical space of the shot.
Treating UI Like a Light Source
We used depth and normal-driven relighting to allow the search bar to cast convincing light onto characters and objects, pushing the effect beyond simple roto and into the physical space of the shot.
Treating UI like a light source
We used depth and normal-driven relighting to allow the search bar to cast convincing light onto characters and objects, pushing the effect beyond simple roto and into the physical space of the shot.
Creative exploration
Google encouraged us to go wide. We explored expressive ways to portray Google’s products, including imaginative behaviors for AI Mode and elevated interpretations of classic Google UI.
Our explorations ranged from subtle nods to bold, world-bending transformations, always balancing clarity of product storytelling with the atmospheric charm of Hawkins.
You might be saying “I need some of this for my business right now.” We get it. It’s your dial 1-800 moment, so click this button to the right and let’s make some great work.
GoogleStranger Things