THE 14TH ANNUAL SHORTY AWARDS

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media and digital. View this season's finalists!

Industry

See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Auto See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Beauty See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Business to Business See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Consumer Brand See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Education See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Entertainment See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Financial Services See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Fitness, Health, & Wellness
<br>See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Food & Beverage
See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Gaming See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Government & Politics See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Hospitality See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Insurance See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Live Events See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> News & Media See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Non-Profit See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Pets & Animals See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Pharma & Healthcare See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Real Estate See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Restaurants See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Retail & E-Commerce See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Social Activism See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Sports See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Technology See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Television See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Travel & Tourism See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Wine, Beer & Spirits

Strategy & Engagement

See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Brand Partnership See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Call to Action See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Community Management See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Creative Use of Technology See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> CTV/OTT See previous winners and honorees for Insights and Trends here.</a> <a href=https://shortyawards.com/17th/"https://shortyawards.com/category/16th/data-visualization">See previous winners and honorees for Data Visualization here.</a>"> Data & Insights See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Earned Media See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Event & Experiential See previous winners and honorees here.</a>""> Gamification See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Humor See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Innovative Media Buying Strategy See previous winners and honorees here.</a>""> Integration with Traditional Media See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Internal Communications See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> LGBTQ Community Engagement See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Micro-Influencer Strategy See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Multicultural Community Engagement See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Music & Dance See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> On a Shoestring See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Organic Promotion See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Paid & Amplification See previous winner and honorees here.</a>"> Physical and Digital Convergence See previous winner and honorees here.</a>"> Public Service Announcement See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Real Time Response See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> SEO & SEM See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Social Commerce See previous winners and honorees here.</a>"> Storytelling

Turtle-y Fuggin’ Awesome Launch

Finalist in Launch Campaign

Objective

TheHypeSociety was tasked by the client to orchestrate a high-impact US market launch for two quirky toy lines—Ninja Turtles Fuggler and Fuggler Mis-Fits—via Walmart’s online and in-store channels. Leveraging a conservative budget, our objective was to maximise reach and engagement among a targeted audience of toy enthusiasts, nostalgic Ninja Turtles fans, and parents seeking unique gifts. We crafted a dynamic campaign blending creative strategy, influencer partnerships, and precise ad placements to amplify the “funny ugly” appeal of Fugglers while capitalising on the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collaboration.

Our approach fused bold storytelling with cost-efficient execution. A tailored creative strategy highlighted the toys’ oddball charm and pop-culture mashup, positioning them as must-haves in a crowded market. We enlisted micro- and mid-tier influencers to authentically showcase the products, driving buzz and credibility among niche communities. Paid media efforts focused on Meta and TikTok ads, optimised for maximum reach within budget constraints, targeting users based on interests in toys, collectibles, and family entertainment. Strategic placement ensured visibility across Walmart’s digital storefront and physical aisles, aligning online hype with in-store discovery.

The campaign successfully introduced Ninja Turtles Fuggler and Fuggler Mis-Fits to the US, achieving broad awareness and engagement despite limited funds. By combining sharp creativity, influencer traction, and lean ad spend, TheHypeSociety delivered a launch that punched above its weight, cementing Fuggler’s foothold in a competitive retail landscape.

Strategy

Strategy and Execution: US Launch of Ninja Turtles Fuggler and Fuggler Mis-Fits

TheHypeSociety engineered a strategic three-month launch window to introduce Ninja Turtles Fuggler and Fuggler Mis-Fits to the US market through Walmart online and in-store channels, maximising impact on a tight budget. Our strategy hinged on a phased rollout of creative branded video content, executed in four distinct stages, blending nostalgia, scarcity, and humor to captivate toy fans, collectors, and families. Leveraging Meta and TikTok ads, influencer partnerships, and Walmart’s retail ecosystem, we ensured broad reach and engagement across a targeted audience.

Stage 1: TMNT Launch (Month 1)

Stage 2: FOMO “Almost Sold Out” (Mid-Month 2)

Stage 3: Mis-Fits Launch (Late Month 2)

Stage 4: US Comedic Takeover (Month 3)

Execution Highlights

The result was a cohesive, escalating campaign that turned budget constraints into creative fuel, delivering a standout US launch for Ninja Turtles Fuggler and Fuggler Mis-Fits against bigger-budget competitors.

Results

TheHypeSociety teamed up with Toy Monster to launch Ninja Turtles Fuggler and Fuggler Mis-Fits into the US market through Walmart online and in-store, turning a tight budget into a powerhouse campaign. Over three months, we executed a four-stage creative blitz—Ninja Turtles kickoff, FOMO “almost sold out” push, Mis-Fits reveal, and a comedic “Fugglers Take America” takeover—using branded videos, Meta/TikTok ads to target toy fans and Ninja Turtles lovers. Our goal? Explosive reach and engagement with minimal spend.

The results speak volumes. Within 90 days, website visitation rates soared by 185%, tripling traffic as fans flocked to explore Fugglers’ quirky charm. Organic search traffic rocketed 104%, reflecting heightened brand buzz without extra ad dollars. Most impressively, the campaign delivered a 257% ROI increase—proof of our lean $10K–$15K ad spend’s efficiency—driving sales through Walmart’s digital and physical aisles. Engagement metrics dazzled too, with a 62% jump in Instagram interactions and TikTok shares amplifying the takeover content, from Fugglers “scaling” Mount Rushmore to “invading” Walmart stores.

This wasn’t just a launch; it was a conquest. By fusing nostalgia, humor, and precision targeting, TheHypeSociety didn’t just meet goals—we obliterated them, establishing Fuggler as a US contender against bigger-budget rivals. With outsized impact from a modest investment, this campaign exemplifies how creativity can deliver monstrous results, with 400,000 units of the TMNT range sold out in less than 7 days. 

 

Entrant Company / Organization Name

TheHypeSociety, Toy Monster - Fuggler

Links

Entry Credits