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

~~ | mn eo < = = ow : “One of the best campaigns “Clever campaign” 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. entre Dossier?) | ffm ele hagonos °BiO Launching Public + Influencers Royal Portuguese Library of Reading Royal Shakespeare Gompany (RSG) AdAge /Q0S$ THEMON®POLITAN cCampaigti CREAPILLS Adlatina roastbrief

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