Visit California X The Ultimate Playground Launch

THE BRIEF

Visit California set out to launch ‘The Ultimate Playground’, its first global brand evolution in more than a decade, across the UK & Ireland. The campaign needed to build awareness of the new positioning, showcase California’s playful and joyful experiences, and resonate with a wide range of audiences from millennials and adventure-seekers to families. Crucially, the activity also needed to operate across the full funnel, driving not only inspiration and consideration but measurable impact for airline partners.

Service

Communications

THE SOLUTION

Black Diamond delivered an integrated, full-funnel campaign combining earned PR, influencer storytelling and paid amplification to bring ‘The Ultimate Playground’ to life. The PR programme introduced the new brand platform through targeted media relations and immersive press trips, generating long-form editorial that showcased multiple ways to “play” across the Golden State. This was amplified through a strategic airline partnership with Virgin Atlantic, which launched its first-ever Visit California destination hub, blending inspiration with bookable experiences. Three high-profile UK influencers were selected to represent different dimensions of play, each embarking on a bespoke itinerary and driving traffic to the hub. Paid social activity extended reach and ensured consistent messaging across the funnel, from awareness through to conversion.

The results

25%

Pieces of editorial coverage

26.6M

Earned media reach

5.54M

Influencer impressions

8.2M

Paid Social Impression

128.8K

Influencer engagements

35K

Virgin Atlantic California hub page views

25%

Year-on-year increase in flight bookings

The integrated approach delivered significant reach and engagement across UK & Ireland audiences, successfully embedding ‘The Ultimate Playground’ positioning while driving active consideration and tangible commercial impact for Visit California and its airline partner.

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