Results and Effectiveness

THODW had a sell-out first weekend and welcomed its 100,000th spectator after just 36 show days. Average show attendance since its opening is 94.3%. Extensive news coverage worth over USD11M. Two weeks before the opening, THODW website had over 1.1M visits and over 7.4M page views. In just 2 months, our 7 viral programs had over 40,000 entries, +18,000 messages shared on SNS and over 6,000 Facebook Likes. Online conversion to sales was 1.9% (over 67,000 clicks-through to booking in just two months). 5 months after launch, searches in both English/Chinese generated over 160M listings in Yahoo HK! and Google.

Creative Execution

We started with a sneak preview of the amazing world of the Founders and architects. Behind-the-scenes footage, rehearsal trailers and architects’ interviews all set out to ‘wow’ our audiences and drove them to our website for more in-depth information, book tickets in advance and sign up for future promotions. Facebook users were engaged in 7 viral programs which turned them into THODW’s fans. Throughout the campaign, audiences could experience THODW’s attractions and find ticketing information in mass media. The partnership with travel agents prompted travellers to consider COD’s hotel package. Shortly before THODW’s opening, we surprised people with Asian Superstar Ms. Sammi Cheng who revealed THODW’s theme tune that told the show’s story in music and music video. Soon after the launch, 5-episodes of ‘The making of’ tailor made TV programs were broadcasted. Together they unveiled the mystery of the show and differentiated it from the others in the region.

Insights, Strategy and the Idea

The House of Dancing Waters (THODW) is the USD250M breathtaking water-based extravaganza created for City of Dreams (COD) Macau. The 2,000-seat theatre had an ambitious plan. It wanted to sell out 3 months tickets in advance and position itself as the ‘must see’ show in the region. This was a challenging task given that majority of visitors come to Macau for gaming. We needed to change people’s mindsets so that they will come to Macau and pay for a unique entertainment in COD. Our target audiences were Entertainment Seekers. They are the ‘norm breakers’ who are seeking for momentary escape and rewarding emotional experience. Entertainment keeps them sane. To convert Entertainment Seekers into our prospects, we needed to raise their interest and amplify their desire-to-see our show through ‘advertainment’. Our campaign “Be Entertained” was created to excite our targets and gave them a teaser experience into THODW’s awe-inspiring journey.