THE SHAKESPEARE BIC
Brand
BIC
Entrant Agency
VML
Category
Direct
Award
Bronze
Festival & Year
Cannes Lions (2026)
Case Study Details
BIC - THE SHAKESPEARE BIC (Case Study) | Campaign
Celebrating 75 years of the legendary BIC Cristal, we reimagined Shakespeare's masterpiece "Romeo & Juliet" using cutting-edge technology and one of the world’s most durable pens.
Recreating Shakespeare’s handwriting using AI and robotics, we bridged literary heritage with modern technology, reinforcing Bic Cristal’s relevance as a tool for education and creativity that bridges centuries of storytelling. Launched during the back-to-school season, the campaign created a meaningful connection with consumers and engaged students, educators and families to demonstrate the true value of Bic Cristal pens.
Challenge: How do you celebrate 75 years of a product that has become a global icon? For the BIC Cristal pen, the challenge was to create a campaign that not only honored its legacy but also showcased its durability and cultural impact in a meaningful way.
Inspiration: The BIC Cristal has been a trusted companion for generations of writers, students and creatives. Inspired by its role in shaping countless stories, we turned to one of the greatest storytellers of all time – William Shakespeare – to reimagine his work through the lens of modern technology and craftsmanship.
Idea: With the support of AI and a robotic arm, we replicated Shakespeare’s handwriting and recreated "Romeo and Juliet" with a single BIC Cristal Dura+ Pen. Over 20 days, the robot meticulously recreated the 212-page manuscript, blending advanced technology with the artistry of storytelling.
Growth: Sparking global conversations about the intersection of tradition and innovation, the campaign reinforced BIC’s mission to inspire creativity and celebrate the enduring relevance of the written word. Residing at the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura in Rio de Janeiro, the rewritten manuscript leaves a lasting cultural legacy.
- Reach: 166.3M audience across channels
- Earned Media: USD $442K in value
- Press: 202 articles across 13 countries
- Sentiment: 97% positive coverage
Credits:
- Client: BIC
- Creative Agency: VML (São Paulo / Brazil office)
- Production Companies: Hogarth Worldwide Brazil / Bolha
- Post-Production & VFX: Hogarth Worldwide Brazil
- Audio Production: Carbono Sound Lab
- Public Relations (PR): Approach Marketing
Presentation Board
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i i Prologue Story:
of the year Prologue
Using a single Bic Cristal pen, we recreated all
including Romeo and Juliet, are lost. 226 pages of Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare's
BIC saw an opportunity to honor lost handwriting. The book itself became the direct
his legacy while showcasing proof point: something people could hold, inspect
the incredible durability of its pen, and believe. The finished book was exhibited and
later donated to the Royal Portuguese Reading
Room, allowing audiences to see the manuscript
up close. To extend the proof beyond the main book,
pocket books were sent to press and influencers
Qs direct, hand-held media.
Shakespeare's original manuscripts,
THUFFPOSTL
designed to write up to 3 km.
Final Chapter:
The play returned to Shakespeare's hometown, where
on English version of the book is now on display at the
Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Visitors can experience it
up close and see how Shakespeare might write today
with 0 BIC pen.
How a Bic pen wrote an
entire book and burned
proof into something you
could hold.
166,3M
+] M ESTIMATED ANNUAL VISITORS AGROSS ROYAIL PORTUGUESE gee
LIBRARY OF READING AND THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY uss
442K. ROI
202
ARTIGLES IN
13 GOUNTRIES.
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Launching Public
+ Influencers
Royal Portuguese
Library of Reading
Royal Shakespeare
Gompany (RSG)
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