Karaoké Radio-Canada: Extended and Enhanced Version!

context

In January 2025, Franchir was entrusted with the mandate to conceptualize, design, build, install (for selected markets), and operate an interactive on-site experience in the form of a karaoke station proudly branded in Radio-Canada’s colors. The goal was to create a setup that would better represent the brand as a whole while remaining easily transportable across Canada.

In collaboration with the Experiential and Partnerships, Marketing, and Communications teams at Radio-Canada, Franchir oversaw every aspect — from platform development and structural design to song selection — proposing a new, simplified, and inclusive version of the karaoke experience that could be used by all of Radio-Canada’s Francophone markets.

To bring it all together, Radio-Canada’s graphic design team imagined a colorful, dynamic visual world, making each installation eye-catching and inviting for festival-goers. The project spanned over six months from concept to completion.

Objectives

Showcase Radio-Canada’s free Francophone music offering across all its platforms and strengthen its cultural positioning.
Reach new audiences and maximize the visibility of the Radio-Canada brand and its platforms.
Foster public engagement by creating joyful, memorable experiences and encounters.
Put festival-goers at the heart of the activation by ensuring an authentic interaction with the brand.
Encourage meaningful connections by giving the public something tangible to take away.

strategy

A simple, effective karaoke app

Develop an ultra-easy, offline app to minimize potential technical issues for ambassadors on site.
Review technical challenges from previous karaoke versions and address them before they occur.
Pre-install the app on tablets to prevent potential overload or simultaneous-use issues.
Conduct concrete, region-specific research to propose a catalog that reflects local tastes and trends.

Surrounding ourselves with experts

Engage specialists in both digital development and sound/technical production to ensure informed, feasible choices.

Create an eye-catching look

Propose a clean setup that highlights the colorful visual identity imagined by Radio-Canada’s team. We made strategic choices to enhance the karaoke while ensuring each element is useful and integrates naturally with the environment (LEDs, disco ball, storage unit, etc.).
Offer a selection of bold costumes to amplify a memorable, immersive participant experience.

Establish a rigorous logistics process

Provide a comprehensive, step-by-step training document for assembling the various structures and using the app.
Ensure technical support at project launch and equip teams to run successful activations—even remotely.

results

Once again this year, the Radio-Canada Karaoke proved to be a fan-favorite activation at both Les Francos de Montréal and the Montreal Jazz Festival. For festival-goers already familiar with the concept, it was a delightful surprise to discover the karaoke’s refreshed look and upgraded platform. The on-site team received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the new visual identity and the app’s ease of use. The most common comment? The impressive music catalog — featuring 100 songs this summer!

The karaoke created joyful moments and genuine appreciation among amateur singers who felt privileged to take the stage — if only for one song… or two.

In total, more than 3,500 participants enjoyed the installations across both Montreal festivals between June 13 and July 5, 2025. On average, 150 people performed each evening, while crowds of up to 600 spectators gathered to sing along to beloved Francophone classics from Québec.

Highlights

6 months of development
1 simple, offline app
4 Francophone Canadian markets visited by the karaoke
A total of 3,600 participants at Montreal festivals
Over 6,000 participants in total and more than 26,000 spectators who stopped to enjoy a song in front of the installation