Consider this the counterpart to the classic “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” for the YouTube age. Volkswagen and agency Deutsch look to tap into similarly positive, harmonious vibes with their Super Bowl teaser ad, “Sunny Side,” which presents a series of online meltdowns captured in YouTube freakout videos. The folks melting down, though, in “Sunny Side,” take a 180-degree turn of attitude as they get together with reggae musician Jimmy Cliff to sing the kitschy 1960s’ classic “C’mon Get Happy” of Partridge Family fame. The teaser hearkens back to a simpler, more optimistic time when we didn’t let ourselves get bogged down in and by the little things.
The notables who went from meltdown to uplifted in “Sunny Side” include such YouTube celebs as: the Eharmony cat-hugging woman; the sad Packers fan; “Boogie,” the guy who destroys his Xbox because someone called him fat; the baseball coach who throws a tantrum at an umpire; the screaming politician; and the sports mascots who fight each other.
The freakout videos captured were “Cat Girl,” “Packers Girl,” “Xbox Guy,” “Baseball Manager,” “Golfer,” “Political Candidate” and “Winnebago.”
The VW teaser continues a mini-tradition for the advertiser. Last year, its “The Bark Side” was a deft teaser/promo for “The Dog Strikes Back” in which a dog needs to slim down so he can get through his doggy door and chase the new VW Beetle in the great outdoors (with a nod to the 2011 hit VW Super Bowl commercial “The Force” coming at the end when patrons at the Star Wars cantina bar give the new spot a thumbs up–with a little prodding from Darth Vader).
Here’s “Sunny Side” directed by the Perloriain Brothers of MJZ, with visual effects by The Mill:
The End of The “Rust” Criminal Case Against Alec Baldwin May Unlock A Civil Lawsuit
The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer clears the way for a related civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath, attorneys for plaintiffs in the civil suit said Tuesday.
At a news conference in Los Angeles, victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred said that the parents and younger sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were disappointed that prosecutors won't appeal the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The criminal charge against Baldwin was dismissed halfway through trial in July on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.
Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie "Rust" in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, the lead actor and coproducer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.
Allred said Hutchins' relatives are determined to pursue damages and compensation from Baldwin and "Rust" producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath in the proceedings. Hutchins' widower and son previously reached a separate legal settlement.
"With the withdrawal that was made public yesterday, we are now able to proceed with our civil case," Allred said. "Clearly, the rights of Alec Baldwin were protected, but the due process rights of the victims — Halyna Hutchins and her parents and her sister — were violated."
Allred said she's ready to prove that Hutchins had a close relationship... Read More