Harry Potter's marketing guru: Using movie magic to market your brand

Jason Bevan, a creative force behind the marketing of blockbuster franchises like 'Harry Potter', 'The Dark Knight', and 'Fantastic Beasts', recently visited Cyprus to speak at the Digital Agenda Summit. The annual event gathers leading experts from around the globe to discuss artificial intelligence, technology, and innovation. Bevan praised the summit for its role in pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology, saying, “It’s amazing to see how events like this bring people together to share new ideas. Innovation is crucial in every industry, and what’s happening here at Digital Agenda is truly inspiring.” During his time at the summit, Bevan sat down for an exclusive interview, giving us a behind-the-scenes look into his journey and how the magic of movie marketing can inspire other industries. You can watch the full interview at the end of this article.

In his presentation, Bevan talked about one of the biggest challenges in marketing—grabbing people’s attention in a world full of distractions. “Movies aim to be different. They break the rules and do things you’ve never seen before. We had to find ways to do that in our marketing too,” he said.

He recalled his time working on the 'Harry Potter' series, where fans craved more than just watching the movies. They wanted to immerse themselves in the magical world. Bevan’s team responded by creating content and experiences that made fans feel like they were part of the story.

Bevan emphasized the power of storytelling, which he believes is the secret to success and a strategy, he says, that is crucial not just for films, but for any brand. “What we learned in films is that if you can pull someone into your world, even for a moment, you’ve got their attention. Brands need to do the same thing. It’s not about being loud, it’s about creating moments people remember.”

Now, through his company Content Creator Studios, Bevan helps businesses connect with their audiences in a similar way—by telling stories that stick. He encourages brands to be bold and innovative in their approach.

“Filmmakers are great at taking people out of their everyday lives and into a movie. I always tell businesses they need to step outside their comfort zone, too, to get fresh ideas.”

Bevan also shared how a fun, relaxed environment can spark creativity, drawing on his experience from the set of the 'Harry Potter' films. He explained how the positive atmosphere on set helped everyone feel comfortable enough to think outside the box.

“When people are happy and at ease, they come up with brilliant ideas. That’s why 'Harry Potter' was so successful—the environment on set really helped push the creative boundaries,” he said.

Now, through his own company, Bevan helps brands tap into the same creativity used in movie marketing. He stressed the importance of creating real connections with audiences, instead of just trying to grab attention.

“It’s about creating content that people remember. Whether it’s a film or a brand, people always remember how you made them feel,” Bevan said.

Jason Bevan’s visit to Cyprus gave a glimpse into how movie magic can inspire industries beyond film. He expressed excitement about the Digital Agenda Summit’s role in encouraging cross-industry innovation, saying, “What’s so special about this event is how it blends creativity with cutting-edge technology. It's a great space for sharing ideas that will shape the future.”

Watch the full interview below to hear more from Jason Bevan on his journey, creative strategies, and tips for businesses.

About the Digital Agenda Summit

The Digital Agenda Summit is a leading annual event held in Cyprus, bringing together experts from across the globe to discuss the latest in artificial intelligence, technology, innovation and digitalization. It serves as a platform for leaders, innovators, and visionaries to share their knowledge and shape the future of the digital world. Jason Bevan was one of many high-profile speakers who attended this year’s summit, praising it for fostering innovative thinking and collaboration across industries.