Cannes Lions

DeepSteaks

TOMBRAS, Knoxville / STEAK-UMM / 2024

Presentation Image
Film
Case Film

Overview

Entries

Credits

Overview

Background

Steak-umm is made of 100% real beef, and because we stand for 100% we're against anything fake. Deepfake tech was becoming more mainstream and we saw an opportunity to use our platform for an entertaining, and educational, prank/PSA.

The brief was to prove to everyday people in real-time how their identities were at risk of being deepfaked, just like celebrities and politicians. While bringing awareness to this issue, DeepSteaks also sent a critically important message about AI education and internet literacy. The campaign drove viewers to a site http://deepsteaks.ai/ where they could learn more about how to spot and safely engage with deepfakes, and take real action to support the DEEP FAKES Accountability Act (a congressional bill to promote the safe handling of deepfake tech).

Idea

DeepSteaks brought vegans together for a focus group, the actual goal of which was to illuminate the power of deepfake technology. After being interviewed and giving feedback on a (truly) vegan sandwich, vegans were brought back in just 20 minutes to discover they had been deepfaked into red-blooded carnivores.

We actually won over vegans with our prank, and then edited the entire experience into an online film for our social followers to learn more. We also directed them to our site, http://deepsteaks.ai/, where they could learn more about how to spot and safely engage with deepfakes, and take real action to support the DEEP FAKES Accountability Act (a congressional bill to promote the safe handling of deepfake tech).

Strategy

As one of the top brands on social media, Steak-umm sought to entertain and educate X, Instagram, and TikTok users of the dangers of deepfake technology.

While world leaders and global celebrities had been known to be deepfaked, we opted to mess with an audience who had a strong point of view: vegans.

Execution

After testing a fast but convincing process for real-time deepfake videos, we hosted our focus group, deepfaked them, and captured their horrified reactions. We then edited this together and published a video summarizing the prank/PSA on 10/31/23.

Gaining 500 million earned media impressions, multiple viral posts on social (X, Instagram, TikTok), and a beefload of alarmed comments, Steak-umm brought a well-needed dose of reality to the artificial intelligence conversation and showed the world just how much is at stake with deepfakes.

Outcome

Thanks to its blend of technology, advertising, and compelling storytelling DeepSteaks earned coverage from a wide range of publications from those that specialize in popular news to tech to advertising with over 500 earned media impressions. In addition, we earned $3mm+ in AVE.

Similar Campaigns

1 items

Meataversity of Steak-umm

STEAK-UMM, Pennsylvania

Meataversity of Steak-umm

2023, STEAK-UMM

(opens in a new tab)