Tool director Floyd Russ teamed with Uppercut editor Paul La Calandra to create this spot, “Never Far,” saluting military families for Verizon that shows family bonds can surpass the limitations of physical distance. This spot, out of 140, Verizon’s in-house agency, features a father overseas serving his country remotely, while still teaching his son about basketball.
Though the distance causes strains at times, the family is able to share important and genuine moments together through video chat, showcasing a meaningful and inspiring connection via technology.
Credits
Client Verizon Agency 140 (Verizon’s in-house agency) James Chang, producer; Stephanie Balint, sr. production manager; Marc Sobier, Tofer Moran, Melissa Avery, creative directors. Production Tool of North America Floyd Russ, director; Oliver Fuselier, Dustin Callif, Brad Johns, exec producers; Peter Flinckenberg, DP. Editorial Uppercut Paul La Calandra, editor; Tyler Horton, assistant editor; Lisa Sadek, post producer; Kathrin Lausch, exec producer; Julia Williams, head of production; John Geehreng, Flame artist; Ben Williams, Flame assist. Color Company 3 Kath Raisch, colorist. Audio Sonic Union Steve Rosen, mixer.
When dozens of Klick Health team members said they wouldn’t be able to hug loved ones over the festive season, the agency turned to AI and other magic to orchestrate a series of sentimental, surprise reunions captured in its “Holiday Hugs” video. The heartwarming four-minute video, benefitting the D.C.-based Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC), parallels recent findings from a Maru/Blue Public Opinion survey commissioned by Klick.
The poll found 74 percent of Americans and Canadians won’t be able to hug at least one person they wish they could over the holidays. And like those in the video, survey participants cited geographical distance and loved ones having passed away as the leading factors preventing their hugs.
“I just wish I could really squeeze her right now,” says teary-eyed New York Klickster Kari Bocassi watching her AI-generated hug with her sister Marlene, moments before she bursts onto the set for a long in-person embrace. The siblings have spent the past 14 years caring for their mother since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but haven’t been together for the holidays since Marlene moved to Virginia. Similarly, Toronto’s Fred Duarte gets the bear hug of his life when his brother Rico, who lives in Brazil, walks into Klick’s production studio for their first holiday reunion in seven years.
Directed by James Cooper via Cooper Films, “Holiday Hugs” also taps into the fact that hugs don’t just make people feel better emotionally, they also have numerous health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, hugs can lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.
“There’s nothing quite like the warmth and reassurance of a heartfelt hug,” said Klick’s chief creative officer Rich Levy. “With ‘Holiday... Read More
