New Year's Mailer

Overview

Each year, One Set Studio partners with Public Strategies to produce a dynamic companion video for their annual New Year’s mailer. In 2026, the concept was a rubber band ball — a tactile symbol of flexibility and resilience. The mailer also invited recipients to rediscover childlike joy. The studio translated this idea into an art-forward experience that leveraged custom sound production to dramatically underscore the concept.

Challenge

Drawing inspiration from acoustic-driven performances like STOMP, the ball became both a visual centerpiece and an interactive prop. Every production component — including the set, wardrobe, and audio — played off the ball. Since the talent featured in the video were real Public Strategies employees — not professional actors — the One Set Studio production team helped set the staff at ease and spark candid, playful interactions.

Strategy & Approach

By matching the wardrobe and set to the project’s hex codes, we extended the mailer packaging into the video environment. Sounds of the ball bouncing and the rubber bands stretching were recorded on set and transformed into an original audio track. Personalized “hype” tracks helped participants feel energized and expressive. Retro tracksuits harkened back to the project’s nostalgia and bold color palette.

Outcomes

The resulting video extended the box into a fully realized experience, capturing the mailer’s themes of curiosity, adaptability, and joy. By letting the central physical object guide every production choice, the studio delivered a piece that was both inventive and strategically aligned with the campaign’s purpose.

“From vibrant, technicolor staging to impeccable custom sound, One Set Studio brought our New Year’s mailer to life with striking fidelity. The video meshed perfectly with our project vision — a seamless creative fusion resulting in multiple industry awards.”
Wendy Shreffler, Project Lead | Public Strategies