Mark Zibert and Kevin Foley directed a 2021 International Olympic Committee multi-spot campaign, “Stronger Together,” illustrating the more human side of some fan-favorite athletes. Amplified by a rousing score and inspiring voiceovers, the films showcase the dynamic athleticism of Olympians in an affecting and soulful way.
In the mix of an anthem spot featuring 20 athletes as well as pieces focused on individual athletes is this film featuring Yusra Mardini, Refugee Olympic Team member.
Zibert and Foley helmed the work via Toronto production company Scouts Honour for Canadian design agency Hulse & Durrell.
Produced with an all-Canadian crew, production on the campaign commenced pre-pandemic and picked back up in 2021, with the global film shoot spanning six cities across four continents–Cape Town (South Africa), Lisbon (Portugal), Los Angeles (USA), Kingston (Jamaica), Melbourne (Australia), and Toronto (Canada). With an average of only 30 minutes with each athlete, pulling off the hero and individual films was a feat of efficiency and flexibility.
Foley is represented internationally by Rakish and in Canada by Scouts Honour.
Credits
Client International Olympic Committee Agency Hulse & Durrell James Moslander, art director; Adam Tetreault, copywriter; Greg Durrell, Ben Hulse, executive producers; Kelly Parlane, producer. Production Scouts Honour Kevin Foley, Mark Zibert, directors; Simon Dragland, Rita Popielak, exec producers/producers; Eric Kaskens, Mark Zibert, DPs; Tricia Zaremba, creative research. Editorial Married to Giants Graham Chisholm, Raj Ramnauth, editors; Matthieu Belanger, Nick Yumul, assistant editors. Online/VFX The Vanity Sean Cochrane, lead VFX artist; Mike Medeiros, Andrew Farlow, VFX artists; Stephanie Pennington, exec producer; Kayla Baxter, producer. Audio Six Degrees Music & Sound Dan McManus, voice/music director; Alec Harrison, original score; Chris McGuire, additional orchestration; John Iaquinta, re-recording mixer. Color Alter Ego Post Wade Odlum, colorist. Production Service Companies AG Films, Lisbon, Portugal; Moonlighting, Cape Town, South Africa; The Media Mob, Los Angeles; Walters Productions Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica; FINCH, Australia.
Following World AIDS Day, which was celebrated on December 1, co-production companies Central Films and Freelance For track one man’s existential, and potentially career-altering, decision to “come out” as living with HIV in Spain in this public service spot titled “The HInVisible Celebrity.”
Out of agency Señora Rushmore for ViiV Healthcare Spain, in collaboration with GESIDA, SEISIDA, and Apoyo Positivo, the PSA--directed by Rodrigo García Sáiz via Central Films Spain--addresses the stigma against publicly living with HIV in Spanish society. In the more than 40 years since the first case of HIV appeared in Spain, no public figure in Spain has claimed to have HIV. Viiv Healthcare Spain asks, if there are 150,000 people with HIV in Spain (or approximately 1 in 300), why don’t we know anyone with HIV?
The central character, who dons a mask of television-pixelated anonymity, gives himself an introspective pep-talk ahead of announcing his status to the Spanish public. Along the way, he wonders what will become of his career, and reputation in general, even as he recognizes that his declaration could change Spain’s cultural landscape for the better and for all of those in Spain who live with HIV every day. As no public figure in Spain has ever announced living with HIV--due to fear of public rejection--this character realizes that such a role model could change that.
The character has already begun building social media awareness with his Instagram profile, @famosoinvihsible, which began cataloging his life as a public figure earlier this fall. Still, though, the figure either leaves himself out of the picture, faces away from the camera, or dons the pixelated mask associated with anonymous admission. “The HInVisible... Read More
