Webex by Cisco & McLaren - #DriveTheDesign
In 2021, Webex by Cisco became the McLaren Formula 1 Team’s Official Collaboration Partner, helping connect all areas of the team from any location in the world. As part of the partnership, McLaren wanted to use Webex’s cloud-based suite of tools to create immersive experiences that would bring fans and partners closer to the team.
Formula 1 has a reputation for being quite an exclusive sport, with fans finding themselves at arm’s length from the action and drivers. So, our challenge was to deliver a meaningful yet playful fan experience that made fans feel valued while connecting them closer than ever before to the heart of the team.
We came up with the #DriveTheDesign campaign, where we invited fans from all over the world to have fun designing the team’s official 2021 U.S. Grand Prix flag. Crucially, we put them in the driver’s seat, giving them unparalleled access and control over the outcome.
Throughout the driver-led campaign, we used McLaren’s owned channels to connect with the team’s most avid fans, targeting moments of peak interest around key races. This created buzz and authentic audience appeal.
In the first of two live Webex events, hosted by McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo (which had nearly 20,000 sign ups), the eight-time Grand Prix champion presented the challenge to 1,000 attendees worldwide. To make sure everyone could get involved, we used Webex’s innovative real-time translation function. Guests could also submit questions and take part in polls, ratings, word clouds, and ranking via Slido – Webex’s premier interactive platform.
Daniel then hosted a Webex Fan Vote, where fans chose the final two, before he himself selected and spoke to the ultimate winner.
The winning flag was produced and sent to Austin where the team flew it throughout the U.S. Grand Prix weekend and offered it as free gift-with-purchase to F1 patrons visiting the McLaren merchandise stalls.
Matt Dennington, Director of Partnerships at McLaren Racing, commented:
“#DriveTheDesign was a first for McLaren, giving fans the chance to have a real impact on the team. It was one of our most successful partner campaigns in 2021.”