Chloé Zhao, who earlier this year won Best Picture and Director Oscars for Nomadland, directed this spot for Ford out of Wieden+Kennedy New York. Titled “Make It Revolutionary,” the commercial debuts during the opening ceremonies of the 2021 Olympic Games. For the film, Zhao brings the human side of the transition to electric vehicles to the fore, showing how this revolutionary technology can still feel incredibly familiar. Zhao’s human-centric approach to storytelling enabled her to draw out extraordinary performances from a cast of primarily non-actors.
Zhao–who directed the Ford project via production house Caviar–also has a personal connection with the Ford brand. She built a camper van out of a Ford Transit and often travels and works from it. The protagonists in her films are often seen driving a Ford vehicle.
“Make It Revolutionary” was a green production from end-to-end, indicative of the breadth of Ford’s larger sustainability goals as a company.
In 2021 alone, Ford has electrified three of its iconic nameplates, with the introduction of the F-150 Lightning, the Mustang Mach-E, and the E-Transit van, vehicles that are fun to drive and have unique performance and capabilities only possible because of electrification.
CreditsClient Ford Agency Wieden+Kennedy New York Karl Lieberman, executive creative director; Stuart Jennings, Eric Helin, creative directors; Jake Thompson, copywriter; Alex McClelland, art director; Nick Setounski, head of integrated production; Jess Griffeth, executive producer; Jordan Leinen, sr. producer; Rodrigo Nino, producer; Alix Toothman, strategy director. Production Caviar Chloé Zhao, director; Greig Fraser, DP; Rebecca Donaghe, line producer; Michael Sagol, managing partner. Editorial Joint Matt Burke, editor; Elaine Green, Matt Clark, editorial assistant; Kari Ickert, sr. post producer; Michelle Carman, exec producer. VFX Preymaker Adrian Hurley, VFX supervisor; Greg Cutler, Kevin Quinlan, VFX 2D lead; Kevin Quinlan , Simon Holden, Hieu Phan, Tim Bird, Raymond Volker, Matthew Tremaglio, Phil Massimino, Ben Weaver, VFX artists; Zach Fortin, Gwen Frey, Katherine Lannon, VFX producers; Melanie Wickham, Verity Kneale, exec producers. Color Company 3 Jill Bogdanowicz, colorist; Matt Moran, color producer. Music Emile Mosseri, composer. Music Premier Music Group Winslow Bright, music supervisor/exec producer. Audio Post Sonic Union Steve Rosen, sound designer/mix engineer; Joey Glick, assistant engineer; Justine Cortale, studio director.
Top Spot of the Week: Director Jake Scott, Paramount Brand Studios “Make Your Gameday Epic” In “Gladiator II”-Inspired Pepsi Spot
Nearly 20 years after Pepsi’s “Roman Empire” made its mark on pop culture, the brand is returning to the arena with a colossal Gladiator-themed campaign titled, “Make Your Gameday Epic™.” Celebrating the start of the 2024 NFL season and the highly anticipated release of Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II in theaters on Nov. 22, this short film--directed by Jake Scott via RSA Films for Paramount Brand Studio features Megan Thee Stallion, as Empress Megan, leading a legion of NFL superstars turned Gridiron Gladiators, including Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce, locked in an epic battle with ice-cold Pepsi at the heart of the action. A brand-new gameday anthem from three-time, Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion soundtracks the campaign. The unmistakable “boom, boom, clap” from Queen’s epic track “We Will Rock You” is featured on a fresh sample with cutting new lyrics from Megan. The new track became available on all major music streaming platforms, and ahead of Megan hosting the 2024 MTV VMAs last night (9.11), where the track and music-video inspired spot were heard and seen throughout the show. “I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the legends who appeared in this Gladiator campaign 20 years ago and proud to have carved my own new legacy,” said Megan Thee Stallion. “Pepsi really brought the worlds of music, sports and entertainment together in a powerful way to set off the new NFL season.” The spot opens with Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy peering into a can of Pepsi Zero Sugar as it transforms into a colosseum. Empress Megan calls the shots, and the royal roster of NFL players are at her command as they all vie for her favor and a sip of an ice-cold Pepsi... Read More