Kirvin Doak & Game

of Thrones

The Challenge

In 2019, MGM Resorts set out to generate worldwide attention ahead of the final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones – not through a paid sponsorship or high-dollar ad campaign, but through the power of creative storytelling and strategic PR. With brands around the globe investing millions to align with the series, MGM Resorts and Kirvin Doak Communications aimed to make a mark through an unforgettable live experience at Bellagio and prove that a nimble, imaginative campaign could command just as much attention.

Our Approach

Taking a “Tease, Launch, Sustain” approach, we built suspense around one of the biggest stunts in Las Vegas history while keeping the main event entirely under wraps. Six cryptic teaser videos, revealing the 3.31.19 debut date, fused iconic Thrones moments with dramatic Vegas visuals evoking rampant engagement and buzz. Coordinated media outreach generated anticipation and speculation, leading audiences to ask, “What is Bellagio planning?”  Without knowing what they were coming to see, 10,000+ fans flocked to the Bellagio Fountains on 3.31.19 for opening night.

For the rest of the world, we brought the magic live. Key media were looped in 24 hours in advance, enabling embargoed coverage, significant on-site turnout and exclusive content drops. An exclusive behind-the-scenes AP feature was pushed to more than 14,000 international newsrooms. From drone to rooftop to ground-level footage, we captured every angle and delivered a comprehensive asset package for immediate global pickup. We reignited coverage again for the series premiere on April 14, creating a second wave of national and international attention.

What We Accomplished

The campaign gained global momentum, becoming MGM Resorts’ most successful PR activation in history. With overwhelmingly positive sentiment, fans and the media praised the show’s spectacle, creativity and emotional impact. Online searches for Bellagio hit their highest point in over a year, and MGM Resorts’ brand mission—To Entertain the Human Race—was vividly brought to life. One media outlet called it, “A gift to the fans, and a gift to the city of Las Vegas.”

  • 1.1 billion earned media impressions
  • 289 million potential social reach
  • 2 million organic video views
  • 600,000 live stream views – the highest in MGM history
  • 600+ TV segments in just 72 hours, with major hits on ABC News, CBS Morning News, CNN/HLN, FOX Business, and Entertainment Tonight
  • Coverage by every major U.S. broadcast network and international outlets, including CNN en Español, CTV, and global syndications through the AP
  • Global reach spanning 30+ countries
    including Brazil, the UK, Singapore, China, India, and Australia
  • Featured stories in TIME, Rolling Stone, PEOPLE, Yahoo!, Variety, Fortune, Entertainment Weekly, The Wrap, Los Angeles Times, and more
The Results

The campaign gained global momentum, becoming MGM Resorts’ most successful PR activation in history. With overwhelmingly positive sentiment, fans and the media praised the show’s spectacle, creativity and emotional impact. Online searches for Bellagio hit their highest point in over a year, and MGM Resorts’ brand mission—To Entertain the Human Race—was vividly brought to life. One media outlet called it, “A gift to the fans, and a gift to the city of Las Vegas.”

Project Highlights
  • 1.1 billion earned media impressions
  • 289 million potential social reach
  • 2 million organic video views
  • 600,000 live stream views – the highest in MGM history
  • 600+ TV segments in just 72 hours, with major hits on ABC News, CBS Morning News, CNN/HLN, FOX Business, and Entertainment Tonight
  • Coverage by every major U.S. broadcast network and international outlets, including CNN en Español, CTV, and global syndications through the AP
  • Global reach spanning 30+ countries
    including Brazil, the UK, Singapore, China, India, and Australia
  • Featured stories in TIME, Rolling Stone, PEOPLE, Yahoo!, Variety, Fortune, Entertainment Weekly, The Wrap, Los Angeles Times, and more