Welcome!

Getting the Shot

In 2021 we had a rare opportunity to shoot inside the historic cellhouse while it was empty. At that time the island was open but all buildings were closed to the public during the COVID epidemic.

How the Shot was Utilized

The client provided several historic photos and audio clips of former inmates and guards. In this case, we cued the doors to slam close on the guard’s powerful closing line.

Case Study - Alcatraz City Cruises

In this ad, we tell one of the many stories from the famous island prison using video and marketing strategy. As a result Alcatraz City Cruises had the best possible opportunity to increase bookings from locals.

Alcatraz has a such a rich history that this client, perhaps more than any other, understands how stories told using video are the most memorable way to market their ferry service.

Alcatraz City Cruises succeeds because video stories combined with a solid marketing strategy drive maximum brand recall, direct customer engagement, and organic search results.

How it Started

Damon from Coolsville Creative has collaborated with Alcatraz City Cruises since the island hosted a powerful art exhibit by Ai Weiwei in the fall of 2014.

Our client wanted to target bay area locals during the “slow season” from October to April. The goal was to increase ferry ticket sales for Ai Weiwei’s art exhibit. It was a huge success. The client reported a 30% increase in sales after the ad started airing.

Why did it work?

Because video is memorable. Every story makes its own indelible imprint on our memory. Combine that with strategic marketing and tactical placement and you are in the best possible position to see results.