Release
2025
Client
National Geographic x Citadel
Director
Ian Anthony Reid & Ezra Cohen
The Project
Long-term partner Citadel and Citadel Securities approached our agency partner, MOFILM, with a clear request: they wanted Distant Moon to bring their new collaborative branding campaign with National Geographic to life. The goal was to tell a story that celebrated Citadel’s role in enabling groundbreaking work from other world-class brands—in this case, helping National Geographic expand its legacy of exploration and education.
The Challenge
The campaign needed to accomplish three things at once:
- Showcase the visionary work of the National Geographic Society.
- Highlight Citadel’s role as a catalyst for world-changing projects.
- Deliver a high-end, visually stunning brand film—while working within the constraints of a single production day.
Our Approach
We designed an exceptionally efficient 1-day shoot in Washington, D.C. that captured the essence of the story while maximizing production value. Leveraging:
- National Geographic’s extensive archival portfolio of global projects
- The iconic National Geographic headquarters and its vibrant community of explorers
- Carefully crafted editorial pacing to keep audiences engaged across platforms
- Our creative direction placed the museum’s vision front and center—showing how Citadel’s financial support directly fuels tangible, inspiring outcomes.
The Story
Through a blend of cinematic footage, archival imagery, and compelling interviews, the film tells the story of how National Geographic is building a brand-new museum experience set to open in 2026. This new space will inspire future generations, offering immersive encounters with the Society’s research, conservation, and storytelling work. And at the heart of it all: Citadel’s investment made it possible.
The narrative positioned Citadel not simply as a sponsor, but as an enabler of transformative cultural projects—an organization that empowers others to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
The Impact
The campaign drove engagement across both Citadel and National Geographic channels, reaching audiences that care about exploration, science, and cultural innovation. It deepened brand association between Citadel and world-class institutions, positioning them as a forward-looking partner in global progress.
Result: A streamlined, high-impact production that married prestige storytelling with brand strategy—showcasing what happens when vision meets the right support
