Cadillac and Weber Shandwick tasked harvest films and director Elizabeth Banks with showcasing the new 2021 Cadillac Escalade’s “Hands-free” driver assistance feature, "Super Cruise" (which also includes “Lane Change”). Then add to the mix a cast of A-list celebrities including Sofia Vergara, Joe Manganiello, the Jonas Brothers, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen “tWitch” Boss and his wife Allison Holker Boss, and put them behind the wheel of a real life test drive through the vast topographies that only Los Angeles can offer. What you end up capturing are incredibly candid and unrehearsed reactions anchored in the reality of what it feels like to truly “Let Go.”
“The brand’s focus on the new Super Cruise feature is Cadillac’s way of ensuring it’s continuing to be viewed as a technology leader” said Banks. “The first time you use a new technology like Super Cruise, there’s always a ‘letting go’ moment, where you gradually begin to trust it more and more,” added Banks. “I wanted to capture and then build on that moment. It really showed how much a thoughtful technology like Super Cruise can help transform your everyday experience.”
“We didn’t select Elizabeth Banks because she’s Elizabeth Banks,” added Weber Shandwick’s executive creative director, Iain Lanivich. “But from the moment we first walked her through the idea, to the last shot, she had the best grasp of what we were going for and remained laser-focused on maintaining the simplicity of the idea.”
This :90 in the “It’s Time to Let Go” campaign incorporates all the celebs. Four additional :60s will be released focusing on the specific journey of each individual duo.
CreditsClient Cadillac Agency Weber Shandwick, Detroit Steve Janisse, executive VP; Iain Lanivich, executive creative director; Tony Krause, group creative director; Chris Coole, sr. producer; Tommy Simon, sr. copywriter; Caitlin Kirby sr. art director Production Company harvest films, Santa Monica, Calif. Elizabeth Banks, director; Bonnie Goldfarb, co-founder/exec producer; Niko Whelan, head of production; Leslie Owen, line producer; Bill Pope, DP; Tracey Gallacher, production designer. Editorial Cut+Run, Santa Monica, Calif. Jay Nelson, editor; Michelle Eskin, managing director; Amburr Farls, exec producer; Jared Thomas, sr. post producer. VFX Jogger Studios, Santa Monica, Calif. Andy Brown, creative director/lead Flame artist; Diana Cheng, head of production; Michael Vaglienty, Wes Waldron, Flame artists; Jorge Tanaka, Flame assist; Adolfo Martinelli, colorist.
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