Inside the Art of Award Winning Case Studies: Lessons from the NYF x June Laffey Masterclass
From nailing the script, to social media presence, these are just a few of the many insights from the New York Festivals x June Laffey Case Study Masterclass my art partner, Chloe Lim, and I were lucky to be sent to.
Hosted with New York Festivals, this master class was a deep dive into what truly makes a standout case study. As a young creative, having graduated less than a year ago, any guidance is welcomed. We had June Laffey guide us through the steps of some award-winning healthcare campaigns and case studies from NYF, breaking down what made them successful, and how every detail contributed to their big win.
A major theme throughout the class was passion and intention at every stage. From research and scripting to voiceover and music selection, even the name of the campaign. Each factor plays an important role in shaping how a campaign is perceived by an audience. I learned that seemingly small decisions can ultimately determine whether a case study is remembered or forgotten.
June took us through real campaigns, including work from brands like Nexplanon, Cologuard, and Amazon Music, where we got to see how powerful storytelling can elevate even the controversial or overlooked topics, especially within healthcare. Each case study showed how a strong, creative hook can capture attention, drive audience engagement, and leave a lasting impression.
More than anything, the masterclass demonstrated that great case studies aren’t just a collage of a campaign, they tell a story. We learned that when case studies are done right, they don’t just explain a campaign. These minute and a half long videos can make people feel something, think differently, and wish they had come up with the idea themselves.
This masterclass was an amazing learning experience to learn directly from industry leaders and gain new tools and tricks that can be applied to upcoming projects, especially as campaigns and teams are gearing up for festival season.
Huge thank you to New York Festivals, June Laffey for hosting an amazing class, and thank you to Thiago Fernandes and Digitas Health for sending Chloe and I to such a great class.