It’s been a tough year to find holiday spirit but this commercial–directed by Noam Murro of Biscuit Filmworks–in the “Find Your Joy” campaign from McCann New York provides a dose of hope and positivity through the many ways Microsoft can help us stay connected and have some fun. “A Dog’s Dream” tells the story of Rufus, a canine who can’t physically be with his best bud, but through his dreams can experience the joy of togetherness and friendship. Together, they go on an epic adventure into the worlds of Minecraft, Halo, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Flight Simulator, just like the people in Rufus’ life. 

People–and dogs–can indeed “find their joy” even without being together physically. Friends and family can “see you out there” in many imaginary and virtual ways. 
 
The campaign also facilitates the opportunity for people to literally experience as much of what is in the spot as possible. Rufus’ doggy dream world will be available to explore in Minecraft, for example. The team at Blockworks has released Dogtopia as a free download available from Minecraft Marketplace and for Java. Run through a colorful bone-shaped forest, where bacon grows on trees and there are never any fleas. This world will be complete with doggie hot air balloons, a mountaintop dog mansion, a fire hydrant fountain, a doggie Mount Rushmore and so much more. 

In mid-December, Flight Simulator will be decorating 12 cities around the globe with holiday lights and magic, a holiday scavenger hunt for every Flight Simulator pilot to enjoy. Also, closer to Christmas, planes that the dogs flew in the ad will be available for Flight Simulator players to fly themselves.

“This year more the ever,” said Kathleen Hall, CVP, brand, advertising and research for Microsoft, “we felt that it was important to give people a little lift, to remind them that while we are facing a lot of challenges, there are many ways we can connect, be productive and enjoy the time we have at home.”

Credits

Client Microsoft Agency McCann New York Eric Silver, chief creative officer, North America; Sean Bryan, Tom Murphy, co-chief creative officers; Shayne Millington, Piper Hickman, EVPs, global executive creative directors, Ferdinand Daniele, Stephanie Cajucom, creative directors; Gabie Fleischer, art director; Jessica New, copywriter; Gonzalo Hergueta, Yung Lee, designers; Malik Dupree, jr. designer; David Cliff, director of creative technology; Hiya Vazirani, Alicia Foor, creative technologists; Monica Daniels, project manager; Nathy Aviram, chief production officer; Mel Senecal, VP, executive producer; Morgan Edstrom, producer; Kelly Ramsey, sr. art producer; Caroline Sollman, art producer; Charlotte Popper, Sean Flanigan, digital producers; Eric Johnson (aka DJ Bunny), SVP, executive music producer; Dan Gross, music producer; Ash Farr, EVP, global director of strategy & research; Jordan Berger, strategy director; James Rooney, strategist. Production Biscuit Filmworks Noam Murro, director; Shawn Lacy, partner/managing director; Andrew Travelstead, exec producer; Rachel Glaub, Sean Moody, heads of production; Emily Skinner, producer; Jennifer Berry, production supervisor. VFX/Postproduction MPC Matthew Loranger, exec producer; Elias Bermudez Jr., Stefani Na, producers; Daniel Seddon, shoot supervisor; Rob Walker, 2D lead; Tim Kafka, CG supervisor; Vincent Taylor, colorist; Kay Carpenter, color producer; Tyler Robinson, color assistant. Editorial Rock Paper Scissors Damion Clayton, editor; Michael Shugarman, assistant editor; Eve Kornblum, managing director; Jenny Greenfield, producer. Sound Sonic Union Michael Marinelli, sound designer/mix engineer; Pat Sullivan, head of production. Music JSM Joel Simon, CCO/CEO/co-composer; Jonathan Russell, co-composer; Jeff Fiorello, VP/exec producer; Norm Felker, Andrew Manning, Sharon Cha, producers. Minecraft Dogtopia Blockworks James Delaney, founder & managing director.

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