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.
How do you top one of the most viral brand videos ever made? Spoiler alert: you can’t. But when Dollar Shave Club tapped Zack Seckler to direct a new campaign to revive the absurdist humor of its iconic launch video, he knew he had a rare opportunity to create something special.
The brief was simple: introduce the concept of a physical “Club” that people would love to join while showcasing Dollar Shave Club’s products and embracing the weird. From script to direction and post, Seckler--an alum of SHOOT’s 2021 New Directors Showcase--was invited to help sculpt that vision.
The result is this “Welcome to the Club” spot which invites us to join a unique, seemingly exclusive but in reality an accessible and affordable fraternity of Dollar Shave Club members. But you need to know the password or more accurately, the two-word phrase--"shave money."
“The Club” campaign brings the brand back to its humorous roots, reflecting a new chapter after being acquired by Nexus Capital Management from Unilever in late 2023. The work takes Dollar Shave Club back to its disruptive beginnings and what made the brand a viral sensation from its inception in 2011.
