Back in May of this year, NFL star receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, attained his Bachelor’s in Communication degree from the University of Phoenix, marking the completion of a promise he made to his mother in 2003 before he lost her to breast cancer. In the years following her death, he revealed that he would call his childhood home in St. Paul, Minnesota, to hear her voice recorded on the answering machine. In the TV spot “Voicemail,” Larry calls home, and this time leaves a message, thanking her for inspiring him not only as a student but as a son and father.
Larry’s message to his mom was unrehearsed. His message in the spot was the first and only take filmed.
Credits
Client University of Phoenix Agency 180LA William Gelner, chief creative officer; Eduardo Marques, Rafael Rizuto, executive creative directors; Wilson Mateos, creative director; Alex Goulart, associate creative director/copywriter; Joao Madeiros, associate creative director/art director; Natasha Wellesley, head of integrated production; Michael Quinones, producer. Production Tool of North America John X. Carey, director; Oliver Fuselier, managing partner, live action; Nancy Hacohen, exec producer; Leslie Owen, producer. Editorial Whitehouse Post Martin LeRoy, editor; Nick O’Neill, assistant editor; Joni Williamson, exec producer; Jennifer Mersis, producer. Postproduction Carbon VFX Matt McManus, exec producer; Devon Irete, producer; Peter Mayor, lead Flame artist; Jim Gomez, Flame assistant. Telecine The Mill Gregory Reese, colorist; Thatcher Peterson, exec producer; Diane Valera, producer; Robert Cohen, color coordinator. Music Human Craig DeLeon, composer; Kamela Anderson, producer.
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