A Deep Dive into the Boston Celtics Social Success

Ever wonder what makes a fan stop scrolling and start engaging? Here's what makes them click.

I want to try something new this week with the Creative Dump. Normally, these are discussions that are saved for the group chats.

Welcome to a new twist on the Creative Dump, where we dive deep into the coolest things from this week's social media. Ready to start your week with the top 3 moments that stood out? Let’s get into it.

🌅 The Influence of the ‘Vice’ Combination

There’s a rising star in the design space who’s not getting enough attention – Ryland Tunney.

Have you ever wondered what makes a sports fan stop scrolling and start engaging?

Ryland’s work for the San Diego Waves FC is a shining example of how design and branding captivates and drives attention to overlooked sports leagues. Just take a look at these graphics and you’ll understand why:

Want to see more Scroll Stoppers? Click to see them all!

The 'Vice' color combination of hot pink and cyan, combined with sharp photography, not only grabs attention but also embeds the brand in viewers' memories. By merging San Diego's sunny vibes with bold colors and precise photography, Ryland’s branding strategy not only stand out visually but also positively reinforce brand memory, crafting an enduring impact on viewers.

It got me thinking about how strong this color scheme is in making design feel so powerful. And then I scrolled down to see this post from @mbayleydesigns, one of the many designs that made it to the Scroll Stoppers board this week.

This approach proves powerful in the design world, influencing content to stand out and resonate.

🏈 The Return of College Football and the Handheld Moments?

With Scroll Stoppers, I don’t always get the chance to highlight the strong video content that hits the timeline. These two from Alabama Football and USC Football caught my eye this week. A small detail, but something I imagine will play a larger role in capturing video content as the spring football seasons starts up.

There are similarities with these two social videos:

• The thumbnails indicated that the first frames would have immediate action – with the motion through handheld camera movements

• The recaps were lightweight and raw – driving more attention to the action rather than stacked-up effects

This style, emphasizing action right from the first frame and opting for simplicity over heavy effects, might be the future of engaging sports content.

☘️ The Championship Run - On and Off the Court

Unless you were living under a rock this past week, this video showed up on your timeline this week.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT TO VIDEO]

The Boston Celtics' video team has been turning heads with their content this season, specifically garnering over 20+ million views on this post across multiple distribution channels. In a digital sea of content, this was one of the standout pieces of content that made waves.

Their secret formula?

A mix of innovation, storytelling, and visual simplicity that makes each video a journey. From seamless editing to the art of weaving a historic narrative without words, their content draws you in, begging you to notice the finer details and feel the moment with every re-watch. It's not just about creating a buzz; it's about crafting a consistent and emotionally resonant experience that fans can't help but engage with, proving that true creativity lies in simplicity and connection. They check all the boxes that I look for when it comes to creating viral and compelling content:

• Timeless and Innovative

• Focus on the Art of Storytelling

• Emphasize Visual Impact

  • Hidden gems that drive the feeling of “chasing goosebumps”

Their work, emphasizing seamless editing and wordless narratives, invites viewers to immerse themselves in each moment. Consistency in their videos creates a series of emotionally impactful stories, proven by their viral hits and sustained engagement.

Everything feels and looks the same. It’s simple and raw.

Take a look at some of their other work:

If you really broke down the viral video with the first video here, its nearly identical with a small twist.

Instead of showing the full-court, Gage Duchon decided to create a fake camera movement all through post-production in After Effects to deliver a seamless transition.

Gerald Donaldson had a good summary on the potential process behind this creation:

It’s clear that the team has found a clear line of consistency when it comes to color grading, transitions, visual and audio effects that make each feel the same, with the opportunity to add flavor to each creation through visual storytelling.

Great work by Gage Duchon and the rest of the Celtics creative team for bringing this to life and energizing the sports creative community to think outside the box!

Takeaways

Let the Celtics' creative success inspire you. Remember, the essence of engaging content lies not just in its creation but understanding its impact.

Remember, understanding the 'why' behind engaging content is just as critical as mastering the 'how'—it's all about connecting the dots to complete a compelling story.

• Keep it simple: Focus on what genuinely engages, avoiding complexity for virality's sake.

• Think strategically: Document your process and reasoning, setting a high bar for your creative projects.