Imagine testing a self-parking car or experiencing a medieval jousting match from the hood of a MINI. Those were just two of the ideas that over 800 MINI owners submitted in a call to the brand’s 200,000 registered owners in its “Final Test Test Drives” competition as MINI sought contributions from its most passionate fans to launch its new MINI Cooper hardtop.
MINI and its marketing agency BSSP culled through over 800 ideas and shot 10 original films with Tool of North America that bring to life the real–and sometimes fantastical attributes of the new MINI Cooper hardtop www.MINIFTTD.com. Taking the input from its owners one more step, MINI then turned some designs and ideas into actual features that it is making available as ‘New Originals” custom options packages on select cars.
This "Anthem" commercial provides a taste of the overall campaign and the 10 films.
Credits
Client MINI Agency Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners John Butler, executive creative director; Steve Mapp, creative director/director; Lyle Yetman, creative director; Sinan Dagli, art director; Lucas Zehner, copywriter; Adrienne Cummins, director of broadcast production; John Riddle, producer; Richard Quan, executive producer. Production Tool of North America Erich Joiner, Ben Tricklebank, directors; Crille Forsberg, DP; Oliver Fuselier, managing director/exec producer; Kelly Christensen, line producer. Editorial Cleaver/Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners Eddie Ringer, Dave Becker, editors. Therapy Studios Doobie White, editor. Cut+Run Pete Koob, editor. Post Spy Post, Chris Martin, sr. colorist; Lori Joseph, exec producer. Music/Sound Design Yessian Michael Yessian, head of production/partner; Andy Grush, creative director; Dave Curtin, exec producer; Patrick O’Brien, producer; Jeff Dittenber, Weston Fonger, sound designers. Audio One Union Lauren Mask, studio manager; Joaby Deal, sr. engineer.
White Ribbon has launched its “My Friend, Max Hate” campaign in Canada featuring this public service film that follows the journey of a young, isolated boy who becomes influenced by a misogynistic online puppet, “Max Hate.” The PSA reveals how online figures in the manosphere--a network of online communities promoting hateful, misogynistic rhetoric which fuels attitudes among young men and boys that contribute to gender-based violence.
“It’s alarming to see the growing impact of the manosphere and how they are conditioning vulnerable populations such as teens, particularly young men,” said Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon CEO. “These misogynistic online groups have existed for years, but their influence has grown under controversial figures, driving an increase in gender-based violence. With the My Friend, Max Hate campaign, our goal is to expose the damaging influence of misogynistic figures and raise awareness, particularly among young men who are often drawn into these toxic online communities.”
Launching two weeks before Safer Internet Day (February 11), the campaign--from Toronto agency Bensimon Byrne--underscores the importance of online safety and protecting youth through clear content boundaries.
White Ribbon is creating an online resource hub that educates individuals on how to recognize harmful online groups and provides support for young men and boys seeking to escape. Additionally, the campaign will launch a TikTok account, @max_hate_, featuring the PSA ‘My Friend, Max Hate’ puppet to expose how these figures gain influence and spread hate in a space that reaches those most influenced, young men.
The PSA was directed by Angie Bird via Toronto-based Westside Studio.
