This 90-second real-time documentary spot captured the experience of select U.S. troops who through the power of technology were virtually reunited with their families so they could watch the Super Bowl together live. The surprise was sprung on the troops, providing a good deed slice of life that tugged at the heartstrings.
The :90 from Hyundai broke in the first commercial break right after the game ended. Peter Berg directed the spot which was produced via Pony Show Entertainment and Film 45 for agency Innocean Worldwide Americas.
Credits
Client Hyundai Agency Innocean Worldwide Americas Eric Springer, chief creative officer; Barney Goldberg, Bob Rayburn, Jeff Bossin, group creative directors; David Mesfin, associate creative director, art; Nick Flora, associate creative director, copy; Brad Beerbohm, copywriter; Victoria Guenier, director of content production; Nicolette Spencer, EP/content production; Kira Linton, content producer; Chrissy Borgatta Liuzzi, art producer. Production Pony Show Entertainment & Film 45 Peter Berg, director; David Jones, Matthew Lyons, DPs; Helga Gruber, exec producer (Pony Show); Gareth Wood, head of production (Pony Show); Matthew Goldberg, exec producer (F45); Ryan Schiavo, executive in charge of production (F45); Grant Kahler, supervising producer (F45); Taylor Steadman, Kevin Baird, Jessica Goldstein, production supervisors. Casting Agent Joe Blake Casting Editorial Film 45 Ben Raxlin, postproduction supervisor; Colby Parker Jr., supervising editor; Dan Marks, Josh Rosenfield, editors.
When dozens of Klick Health team members said they wouldn’t be able to hug loved ones over the festive season, the agency turned to AI and other magic to orchestrate a series of sentimental, surprise reunions captured in its “Holiday Hugs” video. The heartwarming four-minute video, benefitting the D.C.-based Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC), parallels recent findings from a Maru/Blue Public Opinion survey commissioned by Klick.
The poll found 74 percent of Americans and Canadians won’t be able to hug at least one person they wish they could over the holidays. And like those in the video, survey participants cited geographical distance and loved ones having passed away as the leading factors preventing their hugs.
“I just wish I could really squeeze her right now,” says teary-eyed New York Klickster Kari Bocassi watching her AI-generated hug with her sister Marlene, moments before she bursts onto the set for a long in-person embrace. The siblings have spent the past 14 years caring for their mother since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but haven’t been together for the holidays since Marlene moved to Virginia. Similarly, Toronto’s Fred Duarte gets the bear hug of his life when his brother Rico, who lives in Brazil, walks into Klick’s production studio for their first holiday reunion in seven years.
Directed by James Cooper via Cooper Films, “Holiday Hugs” also taps into the fact that hugs don’t just make people feel better emotionally, they also have numerous health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, hugs can lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.
“There’s nothing quite like the warmth and reassurance of a heartfelt hug,” said Klick’s chief creative officer Rich Levy. “With ‘Holiday... Read More
