Keen Social Wins Four Davey Awards for Whale Encounter Campaign

Keen Social, an LGBTQ+- and minority-owned agency based in Long Beach, California, has achieved significant recognition with its "When the Ocean Answered" campaign, which earned the company four international Davey Awards, including Best in Show. This campaign, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the agency, highlights the power of authentic storytelling and community engagement.

The "When the Ocean Answered" campaign centered on a unique encounter aboard a Harbor Breeze excursion, where musician and content creator Max Andre performed as whales appeared nearby. Keen Social leveraged this moment to craft a comprehensive social strategy that combined authentic storytelling, influencer partnerships, audience targeting, community management, and consistent content production. This approach introduced Harbor Breeze to new audiences while emphasizing Southern California's marine experiences.

The campaign's success is evident in its measurable growth across various social media platforms. On Instagram, Keen Social saw a 137% increase in followers and a 135% increase in website link clicks, alongside 100% increases in views and content interactions following the agency's handoff. On Facebook, the agency recorded a 19.3% increase in followers and more than 8,400 website link clicks. Additionally, Keen Social launched Harbor Breeze's TikTok, Threads, and YouTube channels, building a combined audience of over 1,100 followers and subscribers.

The strategy employed by Keen Social extended beyond social media, incorporating public relations, brand development, and paid social advertising. An initial Meta campaign generated attributed purchases, exceeding established benchmarks for purchase volume and cost efficiency.

The latest honors build on Keen Social's previous recognition for its work supporting the Queen Mary's reopening, including Gold and Silver Davey Awards in 2024 and a Bronze Telly Award in 2025. The Harbor Breeze campaign was developed in collaboration with the client's leadership and marketing teams, including Kevin Lorton, formerly Chief Operating Officer of Harbor Breeze Cruises and now with Land & Sea, and Kim Spucces, Strategic Sales & Partnerships at Harbor Breeze Cruises.