Case Study: Football Media Campaigns – Gameday Branding & Social Strategy
Photography by Laura Bruen

Overview

Agency: ZincMedia, Inc. / Creative Director: Laura Bruen
Role: Creative Direction, Branding, Graphic Design, and Social Media Strategy

Design & develop, high-energy media campaigns for high school and collegiate football programs that elevate traditional gameday graphics into immersive visual experiences.

For Saint John Vianney Football, the goal was to establish a unified and recognizable visual identity for the 2024 season — one that drove excitement, boosted social engagement, and showcased school pride through weekly themed Gameday announcements.

ZincMedia’s creative vision extended beyond design into portraiture and brand storytelling.

As both the photographer and creative director, Laura Bruen captured cinematic athlete portraits that became the backbone of the SJV Football campaign. These portraits — part of her ongoing ATHLETE series — celebrate the intensity, confidence, and individuality of players while aligning seamlessly with ZincMedia’s visual style. Parents were presented with personal galleries for which to pick and choose for artwork and marketing to scouts and recruiters.

• Shot with dramatic lighting and golden tones to reflect the Saint John Vianney Lancers’ brand identity.
• Each portrait was composed for multi-use: standalone hero shots, motion graphics, and integrated poster artwork.
• The ATHLETE series conceptually ties into ZincMedia’s philosophy: every player is a brand, every team a story.

These portraits didn’t just document the players — they defined the aesthetic of the season, forming the foundation for all visual assets that followed.

ZincMedia executed a full-scale Media Day production for the Saint John Vianney Football program, capturing player portraits, team composites, and cinematic character imagery used throughout the season.

• Created dramatic lighting setups to enhance the Knights’ metallic gold-and-black identity.
• Delivered both individual portraits for player profiles and thematic hero images integrated into gameday graphics.
• Optimized the photo assets for cross-platform use — social, website banners, and video intros.
  This photography became the visual foundation for the entire campaign, ensuring brand consistency across every media touchpoint.

Photographing over 100 players in one day required a precise system of flow, lighting consistency, and brand alignment. Each athlete needed a few moments in front of the camera to express personality and confidence – key for both recruiting and social storytelling – while maintaining uniform visual standards across the team.