This promo film for OtterBox cases, which protect smartphones and tablets, takes the form of a kitschy 1980s toy commercial spoof starring corporate mascot Ollie, an overprotective critter whose alter ego is reflected in a small but mighty action toy action figure named Action Ollie.
Reminiscent of ‘80’s icons like G.I. Joe and He-Man, the “Action Ollie!” holiday video is a cheesy special effects-laden, rockin’ hair metal-tastic homage to classic Saturday morning kids’ toy commercials. Even the lengthy legal disclaimer copy is a parody. All to remind viewers that OtterBox cases, like Action Ollie himself, are “unapologetically overprotective” and make a great holiday gift. That is if Action Ollie dolls actually existed. Which they don’t. But whatever. And a celebrity cameo was also squeezed in: football legend, Peyton Manning. Because, why not? After all, OtterBox and Action Ollie are your best means of protecting your smartphone, tablet or other valued handheld tech device.
Brigg Bloomquist of Bob Industries directed this “Action Ollie!” :90 which was conceived by a creative ensemble at CP+B, Boulder, Colo.
Credits
Client OtterBox Agency CP+B, Boulder, Colo. Ralph Watson, VP/chief creative officer; Tony Calcao, EVP/executive creative director; Jason Pierce, Mark St. Amant, creative directors; Ryan Contillo, Donny Brunner, associate creative directors; Sloan Schroeder, VP, director of content production, Boulder; Alina Moeller, integrated producer; Shelby Hawkinson, jr. integrated producer; Michelle Robertson, content supervisor; Ashley Huehnerfuss, content manager; Eric Zuncic, chief strategy officer; Nicole Hering, sr. strategist. Production Bob Industries Brigg Bloomquist, director; Pablo Berron, DP; Ray Duffy, producer; Dana Eudaily, production supervisor; David Michael Max, production designer; TK Knowles, John O’Grady, exec producers. Editorial PLUS Productions, Boulder Kevin Zimmerman, editor, Bryce Harvey, B. Stover, assistant editors; Lennon Barnica, editorial exec producer. Post/VFX Method Studios Cara Lehr, exec producer; Crystal Rossmann, Julia Paskert, producers; Aidan Thomas, lead Flame artist; Louis Schachte, Emily Irvine, Jason Frank, Pat Hunsberger, support Flame artists; Wayland Vida, animator. Audio Post & Sound Design Lime Studios, Santa Monica, Calif. Matt Miller, audio engineer; Lisa Mermelstein, mix assistant; Susie Boyajan, mix exec producer; Kayla Phungglan, mix associate producer. Music Massive Music, Los Angeles Kiki McDaniel, exec producer; Tim Adams, creative director. Telecine Company 3 Stefan Sonnenfeld, colorist; Katie Andrews, sr. producer.
After losing part of his right leg due to cancer, Terry Fox campaigned to raise national awareness and funding for cancer research by running his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada 42-km daily run, on his prosthetic leg. Fox, who died in 1981, is a national hero. His image will be on Canada’s new $5 bill.
In this two-minute video titled “Finish It,” the Marathon of Hope is recreated. It’s all done in one take, and it features an actor/marathon runner who uses a prosthesis on the same leg as Fox. CGI was deployed to make him look more like Fox. To further ensure the actor represented Fox accurately, not only did the actor and team watch and study many videos of Terry, but Terry’s brothers, Fred and Darrel, coached the actor on Terry’s running style and mannerisms. They also created a copy of Terry’s prosthesis for the actor to use for the shoot.
The message is clear. As the Marathon of Hope now marks its 45th anniversary, we now have the opportunity to “Finish It” for Fox, raising money and awareness to get a cure for cancer over the finish line, completing the work that Fox started. The public service film starts with Fox on the marathon run, eventually joined by a crowd of other dedicated runners from all walks of life who take over the race.
Mark Zibert directed via production company Scouts Honour for Toronto agency Diamond. The video features a never-before-heard version of the song “Courage” from Canadian band The Tragically Hip.
“We wanted to create a campaign that captures the magnitude of Terry Fox’s legacy while driving meaningful action,” said Peter Ignazi, chief creative officer at Diamond. “By revisiting the Marathon of Hope with such care and reverence, we aimed to reignite Terry’s mission and... Read More
