StubHub: Last-Minute Tickets for Every Show, Any Time | Clapboard

Be There

Description

In October 2019, StubHub launched the compelling film campaign "Be There" to highlight its key value proposition in the professional services industry: providing last-minute access to live events. Centered around the story "StubHub: Bad Influence," the campaign cleverly captures a relatable, humorous moment in the life of a teenage girl and her mother. It portrays the mother’s determined mission to preserve her daughter’s innocence by securing a ticket to DJ Goth Gurl at the very last minute. This narrative effectively underscores StubHub’s promise that no show is ever truly sold out, emphasizing the ease and speed with which customers can find tickets even when time is tight. Through this emotional and engaging storytelling approach, StubHub strengthens its brand positioning as the reliable platform that empowers fans to experience live events without the frustration of missing out. The campaign leverages 17 diverse media assets to maximize reach and resonance across multiple touchpoints, ensuring that the message "With StubHub, you can get that last-minute ticket in mere seconds" is communicated with clarity and impact. Designed for the United States market and delivered in English, the campaign successfully blends humor, family dynamics, and the excitement of live entertainment to connect with a broad audience of event-goers. The overarching tagline, "StubHub. Be there," reinforces the brand’s core mission of enabling fans to be part of the moment, balancing practicality with emotional appeal in a way that drives brand recall and consumer engagement. This campaign exemplifies how StubHub leverages authentic storytelling to differentiate itself in a competitive market while addressing common consumer pain points around ticket availability.

Credits

Client

StubHub

Agency

StubHub In-house + Undnyable

Chief Creative Officer

Justin Hooper

Creative Director Copy

Kacey Coburn, Rebecca Faulkner

Creative Director Art

Maxwell Hendren

Senior Copywriter

Adam Peterson

Art Director

Camila Lachman, Aly Yorio, Sibling Rivalry, Damien Bastelica

Producer

Colleen Miller, Michaela McKee, Sila Soyer, Susie Boyajan, Guin Frehling, Joanna Fillie, Christina Mansi, Nick Fraser, Maura Hurley, Gabriel Wakeman, Stephanie Farmer, Scott Samuelson

Production House

1stAveMachine, Revival Films

Directors

D.A.D.D.Y.

Cinematographer

Todd Duym, Luis Pena

Post Production

Arcade Edit, Piotr Glabinski, Company3 LA

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Campaign Proposition

The "Be There" campaign by StubHub leverages a narrative-driven approach to underscore the brand’s core value proposition: instant access to live events, even at the last minute. By framing the challenge of securing tickets in relatable, everyday scenarios—such as a mother scrambling to find a ticket for her daughter—the campaign communicates StubHub’s promise of availability and convenience, positioning the platform as a reliable solution when other options are sold out. This reinforces StubHub as the go-to marketplace for spontaneous event attendance, emphasizing immediacy and ease of use. Strategically, the campaign taps into the emotional dynamics between parents and teenagers, highlighting moments of cultural and generational intersection where attending a show becomes both a logistical problem and a bonding opportunity. The creative angle plays on the tension between youthful rebellion and parental protectiveness, making the brand relevant to multiple generations simultaneously. By focusing on narrative storytelling with a humorous and relatable tone, the campaign connects authentically with parents facing last-minute ticket needs as well as young adults seeking seamless event access. This insight drives a targeted approach toward families and event-goers who value the ability to "be there" without extensive planning, positioning StubHub not just as a ticket vendor but as an enabler of shared live experiences.

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