Nissan launches its 2020 Nissan Rogue with the new spot “World of Distractions.” Directed by Tom Kuntz of MJZ, the film depicts a world where everyone’s face is practically smushed against their phone—a seemingly frightening representation of our modern-day screen obsession. Of course, there’s no cause for alarm; the Rogue’s suite of safety features protects you as you navigate this distracted world.
The campaign was created by TBWAChiatDay New York under Nissan’s new North America marketing VP Allyson Witherspoon. It features the track ‘Johny Says Stay Cool’ by top Australian indie band Babe Rainbow, and original sound design by Wave Studios NYC.
CreditsClient Nissan Rogue Agency TBWAChiatDay New York Chris Beresford-Hill, chief creative officer; Al Merry, executive creative director; Mike Blanch, creative director/art director; Aste Gutierrez, creative director/copywriter; John Doris, head of production; Christian Burch, executive producer; Sarah Haroldson, producer. Production MJZ Tom Kuntz, director; Darius Khondji, DP; David Zander, president; Eriks Krumins, sr. executive producer; Emily Skinner, producer. Editorial Whitehouse Post Russell Icke, editor; Alejandro Villagran, assistant editor; Caitlin Grady, exec producer; Ryan Smith, producer. Music Supervision Walker Sara Matarazzo, Stephanie Pigott, exec producers; Danielle Soury, producer. Licensed track: “Johny Says Stay Cool” by The Babe Rainbow. Audio Wave Studios Aaron Reynolds, sound designer, mix engineer; Vicky Ferraro, exec producer; Eleni Giannopoulos, associate producer. Post/VFX The Mill NY Heath Raymond, exec producer; Joe Hobaica, producer; Blake Druery, shoot supervisor/2D lead artist; Artur Elson, Kshitij Khanna, Justin Kiel, Randy Krueger, Alexis Jo, Nasser, 2D artists; Payal Thakkar, line producer; Nithin Babu, paint lead; Anuj Bhandari, Rahul Bhardwaj, BalaChandhiran K, Akash Mishra, Sandeep Kumar Singh, Nageshwara Sunkara, Chakravarthi V, paint artists; Umesh Chand, production coordinator. Color The Mill Damien Van Der Cruyssen, colorist; Rochelle Brown, sr. producer, color; Blake Rice, color producer; Lucy Gatanis, production coordinator; David Franzo, Aaliyah Lambert, Elias Nousiopoulos, Chris Wolcott, color assists.
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