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.
At the heart of this campaign for Pay.UK Current Account Switch Service (CASS) is a playful yet relatable narrative, brought to life in the hero TV commercial, “Blind Date.” Directed by Rosie May Bird Smith of Biscuit Filmworks for agency House 337, the spot follows a woman nervously meeting her blind date, only to discover the person waiting for her is someone you definitely wouldn’t want to meet on a blind date. The voiceover reassures: ”Blind dates. They’re a bit like switching bank accounts. You don’t want any surprises. That’s why we guarantee there won’t be any when you switch with the Current Account Switch Service.”
“Everyone knows the pain of a bad date, the gut-churning realization you’ve texted your boss instead of your mate, and being stuck next to someone eating the world’s stinkiest lunch,” said Ross Newton, creative director, House 337, who added, “Life is a minefield of unwanted surprises, so coming up with the campaign idea was the easy part. The real challenge was deciding which situations to include and which to ditch. Sadly, these scenarios are all too relatable for us all, myself included.”
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