• by Fern Siegel , March 5, 2024

Global creative agency Iris has been appointed by the  Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) as its activation and engagement agency.

The agency's first effort for the Seattle-based museum debuted at the just-ended Emerald City Comic Con, showcasing the history and impact of video games on pop culture.

Iris won the assignment after a competitive pitch. 

MoPOP highlights contemporary popular culture, from music to entertainment to sports. The comic convention, held in Seattle, was the first element in driving attendance to the museum's upcoming exhibit, Massive: The Power of Pop Culture. The exhibit explores an array of influences, from Barbie to Batman to "Terminator 2."

“MoPOP is on a mission to inspire and connect communities through life-changing creative expression — and that’s something we’re totally aligned with at Iris,” said Mike Giger, managing director at Iris San Francisco. “Building upon our work with MoPOP in 2023, this collaboration celebrates how the power of pop culture and video games has created a sense of community and inspired creators.”

Going forward, the agency will deliver creative work via owned and earned media. The goal is to elevate the MoPOP brand. Irish will work alongside the Pollinate and Scout Lab agencies.

Michele Smith, CEO of MoPOP, added: “Iris understands how to engage communities and drive participation and will ensure that we’re able to bring each of our forthcoming exhibits to life in a meaningful and impactful way.” 

MoPOP was founded in 2000 as the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, but rebranded in 2016. Since its start, the museum has organized dozens of exhibits, several of which have toured across the U.S. as well as internationally.

Agency clients include Samsung, Bentley, Pizza Hut, Beiersdorf and Samsonite.