Work

Kona Big Wave goes even bigger

After a decade of leading creative for Kona Big Wave, DC’s “Bring the Aloha” campaign relaunches the brand for a broader audience, moving beyond its craft roots to a priority position in AB InBev’s premium beer portfolio.

“Bring the Aloha” is the brand’s first departure in years from DC’s long-running “Dear Mainland” campaign. But the core message remains the same: Breathe, from aloha’s literal meaning of shared breath. In the work, aloha manifests as human connection — through karaoke, on a local’s-only beach, or the first time a young man meets his girlfriend’s ohana.

Shot on Oahu and directed by Isaiah Seret, the spots use reverse chronology to reveal what made the magic moments possible: bringing the aloha, both the ice-cold Kona Big Waves and the impeccable vibes. Eagle-eyed locals may spot Hawaii heroes in the cast, like Luke Shepardson, Bumpy Kanahele, and Taimane Gardener. 

R.J. Shaugnessy brought his signature style to capture the aloha energy in a photography shoot featuring all local talent and locations spanning the island. How cute are these people? Don’t you want to hang out with them in Hawaii and drink Kona Big Waves? 

A series of posters from the campaign at street level in an urban setting. From left: the Kona Big Wave logo locked up with “Liquid Aloha” and a blue hibiscus illustration, a photograph of three friends longboarding and biking down a road in Hawaii with green volcanic mountains in the background and the brand tagline, “Bring the Aloha” centered over the photo in yellow and white type, a photo of a bottle of Kona Big Wave next to an ice-cold pint glass full of golden beer with Hawaiian foliage in the background, and a photo of three friends having fun and splashing in the ocean.

Was the aloha broughten to the social feeds? Of course it was. 

A series of GIFs showing the campaign photography on a mobile phone screen with the tagline, “Bring the Aloha.”
A series of GIFs showing the campaign photography on a mobile phone screen with the tagline, “Bring the Aloha.”
A series of GIFs showing the campaign photography on a mobile phone screen with the tagline, “Bring the Aloha.”