Inspired by the upcoming Amazon Prime film Cinderella, Mercedes-Benz recently collaborated with agency Merkley + Partners, director Rachel McDonald of Biscuit Filmworks, and a primarily female cast and crew, to create a television commercial which aims to encourage women to rewrite the roles they were told to have in the world.
Placing innovation at the forefront, Mercedes-Benz is showcasing the amazing talent behind Cinderella who are breaking the mold and leaving their mark. The commercial, "Rewrite the Story," stars Camila Cabello, Cinderella director and writer Kay Cannon and producer Shannon McIntosh and highlights the collaboration of strong, inspirational women who are shattering the glass ceiling.
Credits
Client Mercedes-Benz Agency Merkley + Partners Alex Gellert, CEO/partner; Andy Hirsch, chief creative officer; Max Godsil, creative group head; Gabi Hastings, creative director; Gary Grossman, director of broadcast production; Alex Kobak, sr. producer; Bev Don, director art production; Kristin Palmeri, art producer. Production Biscuit Filmworks Rachel McDonald, director; Shawn Lacy, partner/managing director; Holly Vega, exec producer; Maury Strong, producer; Sean Moody, head of production; Chris Blauvelt, DP; Deborah Evans, production designer. Editorial Rock Paper Scissors Lauren Dellara, editor; Eve Kornblum, exec producer. Brand Experience Marketing Engine Shop Chris Handy, CEO; Jimmy Cundiff, EVP; Lindsay Abken, sr. graphic designer.
Director Marc André Debruyne--who’s handled by production house Open Swim for U.S. representation--brings Coca-Cola’s legacy of celebrating holiday traditions to life in this campaign spotlighting Filipino Balikbayan boxes. The spot--out of Toronto agencies Taxi and VML--features Tita Rosita, owner of the oldest Filipino-Canadian grocery store in Toronto, whose much-adored shop was wrapped like a massive Coca-Cola-themed Balikbayan box as she prepared hundreds of boxes for customers to send their loved ones, with Coca-Cola paying for the boxes and the cost of shipping them to the Philippines. The spot is a testament to the brand’s prevailing facilitation of cultural and generational connectivity, especially during the holiday season.
The collaborative project--produced by Toronto production company MOWAD--was particularly special for Debruyne, who’s Filipino, because of the large presence of Filipino crew members on set. “It’s a totally surreal feeling when a work project crosses over into your personal life. It’s not too often that happens,” shares Debruyne. “The number of Balikbayan boxes I’ve sent home since I was a child, being surrounded by so many Filipinos on set – both crew and cast, and even being served pancit by Tita Rosita for lunch (and getting yelled at after because I didn’t have seconds) brought back so many wonderful memories of my mom. It was such a fun vibe on set. This wasn’t even a job, it was truly something special.”
