With 63% of North American LGBTQ+ millennials considering becoming parents for the first time or having more children (Family Equality 2019 LGBTQ Family Building Survey), the preconceived notion of what a family looks like in America is continuing to evolve as the country moves forward—slowly but surely. Unfortunately, the LGBTQ+ path to parenthood is still full of undue complications and discrimination; for example, 11 states have laws allowing adoption and foster care agencies to turn away qualified LGBTQ+ parents.
Following the recent six-year anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges U.S. Supreme Court decision resulting in the right to marry nationwide, Family Equality members are calling on Americans to join them on their next mission of equality: helping the LGBTQ+ community navigate the journey to parenthood. The nonprofit is asking Americans to support legislation such as The Equality Act and the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act—two critical pieces of LGBTQ+ legislation that would remove barriers to the LGBTQ+ community’s path to parenthood.
Developed alongside ad agency TBWAChiatDay New York and production company Furlined, Family Equality has created Love, Lawyers & The Government, an endearing short film intended to serve as a catalyst for this continued movement. Directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon of Furlined, the film uses a memorable and engaging approach to explain the obstacles LGBTQ+ people and couples go through to build a family. The catalyst for the explanation comes as a child asks his same-sex parents where babies come from.
The film was released ahead of Parents’ Day this past Sunday (7/25).
CreditsClient Family Equality Agency TBWAChiatDay New York Chris Beresford-Hill, chief creative officer; Al Merry, executive creative director; Ashley Veltre, associate creative director, art director; Holden Rasche, associate creative director, copywriter; Sarah Arrington, sr. art director; Alli Walker, copywriter; John Doris, head of integrated production; Chris Klein, executive producer; Natasha Tkach, sr. producer; Vivian Lee, sr. motion designer-DxD; Sam Cescau, strategy lead; Nus Madraswala, strategy director; Lesley Parks, digital strategy director; Kayla Sredni, social strategist; James Sowden, chief strategy officer. Production Furlined Will Speck, Josh Gordon, directors; Diane McArter, president; Ben Davies, VP; David Thorne, sr. exec producer; Jay Wakefield, exec producer & director of production; Donald Taylor, producer; Edu Grau, DP. Editorial Cabin Graham Turner, editor; Connie Chuang, assistant editor; Michelle Dorsch, sr. producer; Liz Lydecker, head of production; Adam Becht, exec producer; Carr Schilling, managing partner. Finishing/VFX Parliament Color Company 3 Sofie Friis Borup, colorist; Julia Paskert, head of production; Alexandra Lubrano, producer. Music Mophonics, bicoastal Stephan Altman, creative director; Roberto Murguia, composer; Shelley Altman, head of production. Sound Design & Mix Screaming Penguin, New York Rob Fielack, mix & sound design; Zarina Mak, exec producer.
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