DDB | work - Studio Brussel - Stardust for Bowie

Challenge

When David Bowie died, fans all over the world were in shock. Belgium’s radio station Studio Brussel felt it needed to give those fans a way to express and share their grieve.

Idea

We decided to give “starman” David Bowie his very own constellation. Together with the Royal Belgian Observatory we identified 7 stars in the form of Bowie’s iconic thunderbolt and named it ‘Stardust for Bowie'. The thunderbolt became the key visual of a digital mourning place, a microsite were all Bowie fans could upload their music in the universe with a personal message.

Stardust for Bowie was launched one day after David Bowie’s death. In a few hours it became a mourning place for millions of Bowie fans.

On in integrated platform, linked to Google Sky, everyone could say goodbye to David Bowie in their own way. By choosing their favourite song, writing a personal message, and adding it to a star withing the constellation.

200.000 Goodbyes

from 80 countries

Most viral
Article

in the global press

1.100.000
Shares

and comments

13.300.000.000
Potential reach

source: Talkwalker

In 24 hours, Stardust For Bowie by Studio Brussels became the most viral article in the global press

“The Man Who Fell to Earth is now
really among the stars.”

“The perfect tribute for the “Starman.”

“As more and more people have shared their memories and created virtual stars, the constellation in the Google Sky galaxy has grown increasingly brighter.”

“It’s borderline impossible to properly pay respects to a musician as massive as David Bowie. But this lightning-bolt-shaped constellation made in Bowie’s honor comes mighty close.”

The seven stars constellation became a symbol for bowie's legacy.

The image of the constellation with the seven stars became a symbol for Bowie’s legacy. Fans wore on their chests, made T-shirts, Nail Art design, phone cases and even tattooed it on their arm…