The Breaks Interactive Map
A new content experience
When The Breaks—a fictional tv series about the birth of hip-hop in NYC—was added to VH1’s linear programming, I was charged with creating a marketing landing page. This was typically done using a template, and dropping in photo and video assets. However, I was entrusted to create a new digital experience to promote the show. I wanted to open up a regionally-focused story to people unfamiliar with New York City, so the concept of a map came to mind.
But a simple, static map wasn’t enough.
I was determined to reach consumers by making this landing page engaging and immersive. Each point on the map referred to a historical landmark, with a photo or video to add further insight into real life events. I led the editorial team that researched the landmarks, pulled visuals, and wrote blurbs for the points on the map. I reeled in designers and engineers from other teams to execute the product, constructed a timeline that lined up with the premiere of the show, and made sure to communicate with stakeholders to deliver a brand new content marketing experience.
I even found a subway map from 1993 to incorporate a layer of the map showing the train lines that aligned with the time period of the show.
Snapchat Integration
What really brought the interactive map to life was how it was incorporated into Snapchat. A few of the most significant spots on the map were used as geofilters, so NYC-based consumers were able to get an even deeper, more fun experience.