Vrbo & Paramount Present the SpongeBob SquarePants House Experience
Ahoy matey! To bring family fun to life in an unforgettable way, Vrbo partnered with Paramount to launch a one-of-a-kind immersive SpongeBob SquarePants house experience, merging the power of experiential marketing with the magic of childhood nostalgia.
We created an imaginative campaign that transformed a real-world Vrbo rental into a fully themed underwater dreamscape inspired by the iconic world of Bikini Bottom—complete with SpongeBob’s pineapple house, jellyfish fields, and Krabby Patty-themed touches. Designed to create buzz, boost brand love, and drive bookings, we successfully connected two beloved family brands through creativity and immersive storytelling.
Objectives
Generate widespread awareness and excitement around Vrbo’s family-focused travel offerings.
Leverage the nostalgia and multi-generational appeal of SpongeBob SquarePants to create a shareable, story-driven moment.
Drive media coverage, influencer engagement, and social buzz through a high-visibility, limited-time experience.
Experience Highlights
Fully Transformed Vrbo Rental: The property was custom-designed to resemble SpongeBob’s underwater home, complete with nautical decor, SpongeBob-themed bedding, and branded surprises in every room.
Themed Touchpoints: Guests enjoyed immersive experiences like jellyfishing nets, “Boating School” signage, and fun photo ops with plush characters, interactive “together” games, and props.
Family-Centric Storytelling: The house was designed to create joyful, screen-to-real-life moments that families could share together—and share online.
Influencer & Media Integration: A curated group of families and creators were invited to preview and stay in the house, creating authentic, high-impact social content and coverage across platforms.
Vrbo Paramount SpongeBob House - Our original concept was to transform the top of the historic water tower into SpongeBob’s pineapple home, but the ocean wind and permitting had other plans, so we got creative inside and out.
Results & Impact
Generated massive social media buzz and national press mentions in outlets like People, Adweek, and Today.
Drove a surge in traffic to Vrbo’s platform, with increased interest in themed stays and family-friendly travel during COVID lockdowns.
Reinforced Vrbo’s brand identity as a go-to destination for memorable, family-first getaways.
Conclusion
The Vrbo x Paramount SpongeBob House was more than an experiential activation—it was a full-on nostalgic immersion that turned fans into guests and guests into brand ambassadors. By combining cultural relevance with creative execution, this campaign turned a vacation rental into a viral destination and brought the magic of Bikini Bottom above water—one joyful family at a time.