• by Melynda Fuller , June 26, 2018

With the aim of showing “what happens next” after a couple checks into a Ritz-Carlton, the hotel chain and Hearst Magazine Digital Media (HMDM) have partnered to create a series of five short films. The films will be wrapped into a digital campaign called “The Stay.”  

The hotel chain and media company launched an international talent call to jump-start the campaign. The films will be written and directed by emerging talent gathered from the call. Directors are asked to submit a themed screenplay for consideration.

Each film begins with the same template, following the recently checked-in couple up to their suite. From there, each writer/director will envision an original scenario. 

Ritz-Carlton properties in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Grand Cayman will be featured.  

The winning directors will be chosen by a panel of judges, including Academy Award-nominated director and writer Mike Figgis, YouTube’s head of content for the EMEA region Luke Hyams, Harper’s Bazaar UK digital editor Sarah Karmali, Esquire.com culture editor Tyler Coates, and Lisa Holladay of The Ritz-Carlton.

Lisa Holladay, global brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton, stated: “By selecting up and coming talent, we hope to create a unique platform to showcase their art, as well as new and interesting perspectives of a stay with The Ritz-Carlton.”

The winning films will premiere in November in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East across HMDM’s global brands. The films will be anchored on two HMDM’s properties: HarpersBazaar.com and Esquire.com. The films will also feature on Ritz-Carlton’s social and digital platforms. 

Todd Haskell, senior vice president-Chief Revenue Offer, Hearst Magazines Digital Media, stated: “‘The Stay’ will showcase the breadth of what can be achieved within a luxury, brand-safe environment.”