Have you heard of the Mannequin Challenge?
There is no main purpose, or charitable goal, behind this viral challenge, where people are recorded frozen like mannequins. It is then shared across social media channels using the hashtag #MannequinChallenge. Most videos use the song Black Beatles (Warning the full song has expletives).
Ok, ok so we know many of you may already be tired of this craze but the Mannequin Challenge encourages individuals and brands to be creative whilst having some fun at the same time. It really takes some thought to figure out a variety of interesting poses, and to shoot the stylised videos.
Qatar organisations and community groups have also taken to the challenge creating a variety of interesting and unique frozen poses. It has also allowed an insight into some of Qatar’s arts organisations: ones to watch are The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Doha Film Institute videos.
Mannequin Challenge across Qatar
At Qatar Eating have been excited by the fun element, and the enthusiasm with which F&B brands have taken onboard the challenge. It has led to some great behind-the-scenes videos, and some highly stylised videography.
Here are our favourite Mannequin Challenge videos – and our explanation for why they make our top list:
1.W Doha Hotel
W Doha (+974 4453 5000) lead the craze with the first Hotel shooting the Mannequin Challenge (and others followed their lead):
Freezing our living room at W Doha. ⚡️✋????⚡️ #wdoha #mannequinchallenge #wdohastyle
A video posted by W Doha Hotel & Residences (@wdoha) on
And then they pushed the bar even higher by following up with a stylised Mannequin Challenge video to welcome the Marriott International CEO:
2. = Toro Toro Doha
The team at Toro Toro initiated a tag-team Mannequin Challenge with their sister restaurants, Antica Pesa and Nozomi, to highlight their upcoming Brunch Culinary Carousel on December 30th (+974 4035 5101). That’s why we have include all 3 restaurants at joint second place.
It’s great because each individual restaurant uses music tracks to suit their culinary concepts. And of course, they were smart to use a trending topic to highlight an upcoming dining promotion.
Watch these videos closely – there are some awesome frozen poses!
2. = Antica Pesa Doha
Antica Pesa (+974 4035 5300) takes up the challenge from Toro Toro – and handing off the nation to the final challenger Nozomi.
2. = Nozomi Doha
Secretly our favourite of the three challenges, thanks in part to the almost ‘martial art’ style poses of the Nozomi (+974 4035 5089) team!
3. Leila Min Lebnen – Qatar
This one by Leila Min Lebnen (+974 4407 7133) at The Gate Mall scores extra points for involving the guests.
4. AlRayyan Hotel Doha Curio – A Collection by Hilton
We love some of the interesting poses by the staff at one of Doha’s newest hotels, AlRayyan Hotel Doha Curio – A Collection by Hilton (+974 4489 9000 – opening from 15th December).
The accident drink spillage set up is great, and we love the that they have used the non-lyric version of Black Beatles (since the full song has too many expletives for us!).
5. Ohannes Qatar
We love the walk though of this one for the Kitchen Team right through to the dining room of Ohannes (+974 4444 5595), a recently opened Middle Eastern restaurant (located in Al Saad).
Although it is a little too fast and lacking a good music track, we get a great close up of their bread ovens!
6. Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park
Why? Firstly, because they have invited everyone attending their Be Social Brunch (+974 4408 7788) on 9th Friday December to join in with the shooting of a big Mannequin Challenge Video. And, secondly because they were have managed to utilise the power of a trending topic to highlight their F&B promotions.
What Do You Think?
We just had to highlight a few of our favourite videos from Qatar’s F&B brands, but there are quite a few out there. Not all seem to be produced through official brand social media channels, but they’re still excellently shot.
Click the names below to find the videos of these brands, and decide for yourself which F&B brand has the best Mannequin Challenge Video – comment on our social media channels! Or, if you’re feeling inspired to shoot your own video watch them for inspiration!
Are there any others we have missed out?
Feature Image – Nozomi Doha