Kenan Thompson and Arturo Castro star in new Universal Parks and GSD&M campaign

Austin-based creative agency GSD&M has unveiled its first campaign work created for Universal Parks & Resorts. 

Entitled, Let Yourself Woah, the new campaign stars beloved funny men Kenan Thompson of Saturday Night Live and Arturo Castro of Alternatino and Broad City.

Having launched this week, the campaign is running across TV and digital, both in the U.S. and throughout Latin America. GSD&M became Universal Parks & Resorts’ Agency of Record last April, and is responsible for all branding and creative work, as well as digital, social media, experiential, and multicultural initiatives for Universal Parks & Resorts nationwide, as well as locally in Orlando.

The campaign is in both English, with Kenan Thompson, and Spanish, with Arturo Castro. Both campaign spots open in a bland office setting, asking fellow coworkers and the audience if they can let themselves “woah” in the office, with the answer, of course, being no. Then the creative quickly shows different scenarios in the park where guests can let themselves “woah”— including enjoying Universal Parks & Resorts’ rides and attractions, meeting characters from its famous films, and guests experiencing the various worlds Universal Parks & Resorts offers – with them all saying (or screaming) “Woah!” 

Alice Norsworthy, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts, stated on the campaign: “Universal Parks & Resorts has evolved so much in recent years and we have worked very hard to continuously bring incredibly-popular ‘woah’ moments to life for our guests. We’re excited to work with GSD&M to create a campaign that embodies who we are as a destination, where friends and families connect in extraordinary ways.”  

GSD&M’s President Marianne Malina added: “It was important for us to center this campaign around having fun with your friends and families, and ultimately demonstrate how Universal always has, and always will, encourage guests to let themselves ‘woah’ and have an awesome time, no matter which park they visit.”