By Robert Goldrich
This spot takes the legs out from under the classic saying, “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” We open on a man in a Santa’s outfit sitting at the kitchen table, shoveling food into his mouth. He’s pulled his fake beard down in order to eat. Behind him stands a little girl who’s excited to see Santa in her home.
However, her happy expression turns to one of disappointment when Santa turns around and she recognizes that it’s just her dad dressed as old St. Nick.
It’s the kind of a moment that could leave an emotional scar. There’s no quick fix for something like this–or is there?
Enter McCain’s Smooth-eez, which we see whipped up quickly before our eyes. A frozen mix concoction is thrown into a blender, milk is added, and voile, a refreshing strawberry smoothie sits tall in an inviting glass.
Next the girl is happy, slurping the smoothie through a straw. Happily the Santa fiasco is a distant memory. A voiceover relates, “New Smooth-eez from McCain. Ready, just in time.”
This :15 was one in a package directed by Michael Downing via Untitled, Toronto, for agency Taxi, Toronto. (Downing directs stateside via harvest, Santa Monica.)
Peter Davis executive produced for Untitled, with Tom Evelyn serving as producer. The DP was Andre Pienaar.
The Taxi creative team consisted of executive creative director Zak Mroueh, associate creative director Lance Martin, copywriter Ryan Wagman, art director Guybrush Taylor and producer Jennifer Mete.
Editor was Aaron Dark of School Editing, Toronto. Colorist was Bill Ferwerda of Notch, Toronto. Inferno artist was David Whitesen of Crush, Toronto. Audio director/mixer was Rocco Gagliese of The Eggplant, Toronto. Principal actors were Marvin Hinz and Shae Norris.
Microsoft Report Says Efforts By Russia, Iran and China To Sway U.S. Voters May Escalate
Foreign adversaries have shown continued determination to influence the U.S. election โ- and there are signs their activity will intensify as Election Day nears, Microsoft said in a report Wednesday.
Russian operatives are doubling down on fake videos to smear Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, while Chinese-linked social media campaigns are maligning down-ballot Republicans who are critical of China, the company's threat intelligence arm said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Iranian actors who allegedly sent emails aimed at intimidating U.S. voters in 2020 have been surveying election-related websites and major media outlets, raising concerns they could be preparing for another scheme this year, the tech giant said.
The report serves as a warning โ building on others from U.S. intelligence officials โ that as the nation enters this critical final stretch and begins counting ballots, the worst influence efforts may be yet to come. U.S. officials say they remain confident that election infrastructure is secure enough to withstand any attacks from American adversaries. Still, in a tight election, foreign efforts to influence voters are raising concern.
Microsoft noted that some of the disinformation campaigns it tracks received little authentic engagement from U.S. audiences, but others have been amplified by unwitting Americans, exposing thousands to foreign propaganda in the final weeks of voting.
Russia, China and Iran have all rejected claims that they are seeking to meddle with the U.S. election.
"The presidential elections are the United States' domestic affairs. China has no intention and will not interfere in the US election," the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.
"Having already unequivocally and... Read More