‘The Odyssey of Wilson’ brings new life to the iconic volleyball from Cast Away — this time, as the central figure in a campaign confronting the global crisis of ocean plastics. Developed by the Onda Azul Institute and telecom provider Vivo, the initiative leverages interactive storytelling and real oceanographic data to imagine Wilson’s 450-year drift through rising tides, acidifying waters, and degrading ecosystems after being separated from Tom Hanks’ character.

Grounded in UNESCO’s 2024 State of the Ocean Report, the campaign transforms Wilson’s fictional journey into a harrowing environmental narrative. As the volleyball deteriorates into microplastics, users track real scientific projections — from ice shelf collapse to deoxygenated dead zones. Launched ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, The Odyssey of Wilson blends digital experiences, installations, and sports broadcast activations to turn cold data into an emotional call to action.

Image Credit: Onda Azul Institute