The Unexpected Key to Gen Z Engagement for Brands Like Star Wars
The Unexpected Key to Gen Z Engagement for Brands Like Star Wars
Unlock genuine Gen Z engagement and drive real-world action with a custom scholarship experience. This case study reveals how ScholarshipOwl empowers brands to connect with their target audience in innovative, impactful ways.
Ready to connect with Gen Z?
Unlock genuine Gen Z engagement and drive real-world action with a custom scholarship experience. This case study reveals how ScholarshipOwl empowers brands to connect with their target audience in innovative, impactful ways.
Ready to connect with Gen Z?
Turning Ideas into Action
Turning Ideas into Action
The Opportunity
ScholarshipOwl set out to prove how cult brands, like Star Wars, could effectively engage Gen Z beyond traditional marketing. The core objective was to see if our scholarship users would actively participate in an action that drove engagement with a physical or virtual retail destination, gathering valuable first-party and sentiment data in the process. Traditional social media posts, Meta/Google ads, and campus initiatives hadn't delivered the same level of deep engagement.
The Opportunity
ScholarshipOwl set out to prove how cult brands, like Star Wars, could effectively engage Gen Z beyond traditional marketing. The core objective was to see if our scholarship users would actively participate in an action that drove engagement with a physical or virtual retail destination, gathering valuable first-party and sentiment data in the process. Traditional social media posts, Meta/Google ads, and campus initiatives hadn't delivered the same level of deep engagement.
The Opportunity
ScholarshipOwl set out to prove how cult brands, like Star Wars, could effectively engage Gen Z beyond traditional marketing. The core objective was to see if our scholarship users would actively participate in an action that drove engagement with a physical or virtual retail destination, gathering valuable first-party and sentiment data in the process. Traditional social media posts, Meta/Google ads, and campus initiatives hadn't delivered the same level of deep engagement.
Our Approach
We crafted a unique "$500 May the 4th Fandom Scholarship," leveraging a User-Generated Content (UGC) feature. We asked students to share photos showcasing their "ode to Star Wars" – whether it was a unique costume they made or fan fair. This approach fostered authentic expression and boosted engagement, demonstrating the power of scholarships as a novel and highly effective marketing channel for businesses.
Our Approach
We crafted a unique "$500 May the 4th Fandom Scholarship," leveraging a User-Generated Content (UGC) feature. We asked students to share photos showcasing their "ode to Star Wars" – whether it was a unique costume they made or fan fair. This approach fostered authentic expression and boosted engagement, demonstrating the power of scholarships as a novel and highly effective marketing channel for businesses.
Our Approach
We crafted a unique "$500 May the 4th Fandom Scholarship," leveraging a User-Generated Content (UGC) feature. We asked students to share photos showcasing their "ode to Star Wars" – whether it was a unique costume they made or fan fair. This approach fostered authentic expression and boosted engagement, demonstrating the power of scholarships as a novel and highly effective marketing channel for businesses.
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The Outcome:
The May The 4th Scholarship User Experience in Full View
In just one month, this campaign achieved remarkable success, showcasing the immense potential of brand-focused scholarships for deep Gen Z engagement.
Impressively, 186 students actively responded by submitting photos illustrating their unique interpretation of "May the 4th" cult internet fun. This directly demonstrated their willingness to engage with brand-focused calls to action, providing a perfect avenue to gather rich first-party data and sentiment insights into college students' preferences within a retailer's offerings.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Key Market Insights for Brands Looking to Engage Gen Z
Beyond the Transaction
This campaign proved that Gen Z is willing to engage with brands on a deeper level than just transactional purchases when presented with a meaningful opportunity.
Beyond the Transaction
This campaign proved that Gen Z is willing to engage with brands on a deeper level than just transactional purchases when presented with a meaningful opportunity.
Beyond the Transaction
This campaign proved that Gen Z is willing to engage with brands on a deeper level than just transactional purchases when presented with a meaningful opportunity.
Authentic User-Generated Content
Encouraging UGC through scholarships drives genuine participation and provides valuable, real-world content.
Authentic User-Generated Content
Encouraging UGC through scholarships drives genuine participation and provides valuable, real-world content.
Authentic User-Generated Content
Encouraging UGC through scholarships drives genuine participation and provides valuable, real-world content.
First-Party Data Collection
Scholarship applications offer a seamless way to collect valuable first-party data and sentiment insights directly from your target audience.
First-Party Data Collection
Scholarship applications offer a seamless way to collect valuable first-party data and sentiment insights directly from your target audience.
First-Party Data Collection
Scholarship applications offer a seamless way to collect valuable first-party data and sentiment insights directly from your target audience.
See It In Action
See It In Action
See It In Action
Real Applications from Students
Real Applications from Students
Real Applications from Students
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Testimonial
Testimonial
Testimonial
“I am ecstatic to be a scholarship winner, and I truly believe that I couldn't have done it without Scholarship Owl! I found this site while looking for different scholarship opportunities, and I am forever grateful. As a student who is paying her own tuition, organizations like this one make a higher education possible!”
“I am ecstatic to be a scholarship winner, and I truly believe that I couldn't have done it without Scholarship Owl! I found this site while looking for different scholarship opportunities, and I am forever grateful. As a student who is paying her own tuition, organizations like this one make a higher education possible!”
“I am ecstatic to be a scholarship winner, and I truly believe that I couldn't have done it without Scholarship Owl! I found this site while looking for different scholarship opportunities, and I am forever grateful. As a student who is paying her own tuition, organizations like this one make a higher education possible!”
Libby G. Winner of $500 May the 4th Fandom Scholarship
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Let’s Build Your Campaign Like This
Let’s Build Your Campaign Like This
Let’s Build Your Campaign Like This
Use scholarships as a powerful tool for marketing, lead generation, and social impact. Reach 11M+ Gen Z students with campaigns that truly connect. Ready to drive results? Let’s talk!
All rights reserved ScholarshipOwl for Business - Copyright© 2025
All rights reserved ScholarshipOwl for Business - Copyright© 2025
Let's build your campaign
Get in touch
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Student View of Your Chipotle Scholarship
Preview
The Chipotle Fan Scholarship: Real Food, Real Impact Scholarship was dedicated to Chipotle fans. The Scholarship offered a life-changing opportunity for students to support their educational journey. The application process was simple and focused on students who shared photos of their Chipotle orders, directly connecting their passion for the brand with a tangible reward.
Student View of Your Chipotle Scholarship
Preview
The Chipotle Fan Scholarship: Real Food, Real Impact Scholarship was dedicated to Chipotle fans. The Scholarship offered a life-changing opportunity for students to support their educational journey. The application process was simple and focused on students who shared photos of their Chipotle orders, directly connecting their passion for the brand with a tangible reward.