Cannes Lions

The world's first Netflix series stored in DNA.

REBMANN + POGUNTKE CREATIVE TEAM, Berlin / NETFLIX / 2021

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Overview

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OVERVIEW

Background

Situation:

In August 2020, "BIOHACKERS" started on Netflix, a series about biotechnology and genetic engineering. Much of it sounds like science fiction, but it is already reality today.

Brief and objectives:

Announce the new series in a completely new way and spark a discussion about the possibilities and dangers of genetic engineering.

Idea

„Biohackers“ is a series about biotechnology and genetic engineering. Much of it sounds like science fiction. But it is already reality. To prove this we turned the series itself into a genetic experiment. We „translated“ the binary data of the series into genetic code. 42 minutes Netflix series became 400 million DNA sequences.

Thus we created the world's first series stored in DNA.

Strategy

We took the binary data of the complete first episode of "Biohackers". We "translated" the binary data into genetic code and stored it in artificial DNA.

This "DNA of the Series" was then sent to influencers, science and tech bloggers, fans and journalists. At the same time, we published the complete DNA code on the web and provided an open source software with which anyone could decode the first episode before the official launch.

Execution

To store the series in DNA we „translated“ its binary data into genetic code.

42 minutes Netflix series became 400 million DNA sequences. In collaboration with the world's leading scientists in this field, we encapsulated the DNA strands in tiny glass beads and embedded them in a carrier liquid. The entire process was accompanied in a documentary.

The “DNA of the series” was then sent as a mailing to influencers, bloggers, journalists and fans all over Germany. At the same time, we published the documentary and the complete DNA code on the web. And we provided an open source software, which could be used to decode the first episode of the series from the DNA before. Influencers and bloggers spread the story. A lively discussion started about the new Netflix series, about the topic of biohacking - and on how far science should be allowed to go.

Outcome

25+ million media impressions

5+ million impressions via social

225k Youtube views of the documentary within one week

20+ k Downloads of DNA code

Lively discussions on how far science is allowed to go

"Biohackers" went Netflix Top 10 in 36 countries

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