The spot opens on a mysterious wanderer and his trusty steed as he discovers a literal fork in the road. We come to find that the wanderer is on a quest for breakfast and the fork in the road is forcing him to choose between pancakes or omelettes. Which way to go? He struggles deeply with this quandary until he’s abruptly rescued by an casual bystander who informs him that he could just go to IHOP where “they have all kinds of omelettes that come with pancakes,” so he doesn’t have to choose. He further assists the wanderer by pointing out the nearest IHOP, which has been directly across the street the entire time.
The campaign from Droga5 NY was created based on the consumer insight that the combination of omelettes plus pancakes (sweet and savory) appealed to customers. David Shafei of production company World War Seven directed the spot.
Credits
Client IHOP/Dine Equity Agency Droga5 NY David Droga, creative chairman; Scott Bell, executive creative director; Todd Rone Parker, Daniel Kelly, creative directors; Richard Langhorne, sr. copywriter; Zack Madrigal, sr. art director; Scott Minniear, jr. copywriter; Jackie Moran, jr. art director; Nate Moore, associate design director; Albie Eloy, designer; Amanda Revere, executive producer, film; Forrest Holt, producer, film. Production World War 7 David Shafei, director; Steve Yedlin, DP; Josh Ferrazzano, exec producer; Michael Mitchell, producer. Editorial MackCut Erik Larol, editor; Danielle Minch, assistant editor; Gina Pagano, exec producer; Margarita Mutuc, producer. Color Company 3 Tom Poole, colorist; Ashley McKim, exec producer. VFX Method Mario Caserta, Flame artist; Graham Dunglinson, sr. VFX producer. Music APM Audio Post Heard City Elizabeth McClanahan, mixer; Sasha Awn, exec producer; Andi Lewis, producer. Sound Design MackCut Sam Shaffer, sound designer.
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
