Directed by Nick Piper of Backyard for Minneapolis-based agency Mithun, this lighthearted spot titled “Slant House” depicts the misfortunes and comic inconveniences that arise for a couple who built their dream house on a hill.
The incline causes their dishes to slide, drawers to fall open and vacuuming to be a most arduous chore. But thanks to their new Toro all-wheel-drive lawnmower (and the redesigned, easy to use Z Tractor), mowing their steep lawn is a piece of cake.
Client Toro Agency Mithun, Minneapolis David Carter, chief creative officer; Angie Schoemer, producer; Randy Gerda, associate creative director/art director; Joe Stefanson, associate creative director/copywriter. Production Backyard Nick Piper, director; Terence Maritz, DP; Blair Stribley, president/partner; Chris Zander, managing director/partner; Emily Malito, head of production. Janette De Villiers, exec producer (South Africa); Debra Stubbs, head of production (South Africa); Mel Charrington, line producer (South Africa). Editorial Channel Z Mike Weldon, lead editor. VFX/Finishing VOLT Studios Steve Medin, owner/creative director. Music Finger Music
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
