Set in medieval times, this :30 shows us a blood-thirsty mob screaming for the public execution of their king. Chants of “Kill the king” echo throughout the village courtyard.
An axe-wielding executioner patiently waits for his victim as we see a chopping block in the foreground. In front of the block is an empty basket, ready to receive the king’s head.
The prisoner then appears, escorted by two guards. Indeed the king seems destined to meet his end through a most horrific means, decapitation.
But the mood–as well as the time period is broken–with the appearance of a modern day young man who’s dressed in jeans and a windbreaker. He’s eating a Snickers candy bar.
The mob, which consists mostly of peasants, is a bit bewildered at the sight of this guy, who asks a telling question: “Is this really about Eddie using all your tax money to build a hot tub or is everyone just feeling a little down because they’re hungry?”
Clearly, he’s struck a nerve. The mob calms down, nodding in agreement, realizing that they are indeed hungry. The executioner even looks longingly at the Snickers bar that the guy is holding.
The man from the present then seals the stay of execution–if not outright clemency–by pointing to a nearby display of Snickers bars to satisfy everyone’s appetite.
A voiceover concludes: “Snickers. Maybe you’re just hungry.”
This period piece, which makes an eloquent case for a Snickers snack to ease the day, was directed by Charley Stadler via Spy Films, Toronto, for BBDO Toronto. Production services were provided by Strawberry Films, Budapest.
The core BBDO creative team included chief creative officer Jack Neary, associate creative director/copywriter Patrick Scisson, associate creative director/art director Mark Mason, and producer Sam Benson.
Carlo Trulli executive produced for Spy Films. Line producer for Strawberry Films was Katalin Krammer. The DP was Fraser Taggart.
Editor was David Baxter of Panic & Bob, Toronto. Colorist was Billy Ferwerda at Notch, Toronto. Audio post mixer was Nathan Handy of The Eggplant, Toronto.
Sound designer was The Eggplant’s Rocco Gagliese. Music composers were Gagliese and Steve D’Angelo of The Eggplant.
Principal actor was Nicolas Rose.
“King” is airing nationally throughout Canada, in both English and French.
Trump Asks Supreme Court To Delay TikTok Ban
President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a "political resolution" to the issue.
The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk.
"President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act's deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case," said Trump's amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case and was written by D. John Sauer, Trump's choice for solicitor general.
The argument submitted to the court is the latest example of Trump inserting himself in national issues before he takes office. The Republican president-elect has already begun negotiating with other countries over his plans to impose tariffs, and he intervened earlier this month in a plan to fund the federal government, calling for a bipartisan plan to be rejected and sending Republicans back to the negotiating table.
He has been holding meetings with foreign leaders and business officials at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida while he assembles his administration, including a meeting last week with TikTok CEO Shou Chew.
Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined the TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger... Read More