Tapping into the popular social media trend of Deaf creators doing British Sign language covers of popular songs online, Ford teamed with Wieden+Kennedy London, the agency's social first studio Bodega London and the British Deaf Association, U.K.’s leading membership organization and registered charity for Deaf people, to celebrate BSL covers of popular songs, starting with “Express Yourself” by English musician Labrinth.
Directed by Yago Hunt Laudi via W+K London’s production company Wrack, the #FordBSLCovers’ work highlights the future of driving and the Deaf community via Ford’s BlueCruise feature on its Mustang Mach-E, the UK’s first and leading assisted driving technology. This “Express Yourself” cover video will run across Ford U.K.’s Instagram–supported by paid media across social and editorial.
CreditsClient Ford Agency Wieden+Kennedy London Dave Colman, Alex Sattlecker; Andre Mezzomo, art director; Winona Wee, copywriter; Ana Balarin, Hermeti Balarin, chief creative officers; Richard Adkins, Amy Leech, joint heads of production; Dom Felton, executive producer; Hestor Manning-Marsh, sr. producer; Michael Hines, group strategy director; Gabriel Marchi, head of Bodega London; Alice Shaw, general manager, Bodega London; Dan Hill, chief strategy officer. Production Company Wrack Yago Hunt Laudi, director & colorist; Jennifer Lawlor, exec producer; Ella Toal Ganger, line producer; Kai Blamey, DP; Ty Hack, 1st AD. Music Siren; “Express Yourself”; Labrinth, artist. VFX Company Covert
Top Spot of the Week: Director Jake Scott, Paramount Brand Studios “Make Your Gameday Epic” In “Gladiator II”-Inspired Pepsi Spot
Nearly 20 years after Pepsi’s “Roman Empire” made its mark on pop culture, the brand is returning to the arena with a colossal Gladiator-themed campaign titled, “Make Your Gameday Epic™.” Celebrating the start of the 2024 NFL season and the highly anticipated release of Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II in theaters on Nov. 22, this short film--directed by Jake Scott via RSA Films for Paramount Brand Studio features Megan Thee Stallion, as Empress Megan, leading a legion of NFL superstars turned Gridiron Gladiators, including Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce, locked in an epic battle with ice-cold Pepsi at the heart of the action. A brand-new gameday anthem from three-time, Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion soundtracks the campaign. The unmistakable “boom, boom, clap” from Queen’s epic track “We Will Rock You” is featured on a fresh sample with cutting new lyrics from Megan. The new track became available on all major music streaming platforms, and ahead of Megan hosting the 2024 MTV VMAs last night (9.11), where the track and music-video inspired spot were heard and seen throughout the show. “I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the legends who appeared in this Gladiator campaign 20 years ago and proud to have carved my own new legacy,” said Megan Thee Stallion. “Pepsi really brought the worlds of music, sports and entertainment together in a powerful way to set off the new NFL season.” The spot opens with Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy peering into a can of Pepsi Zero Sugar as it transforms into a colosseum. Empress Megan calls the shots, and the royal roster of NFL players are at her command as they all vie for her favor and a sip of an ice-cold Pepsi... Read More