The Martin Agency brings back animated character McGruff the Crime Dog, nostalgic mascot for the National Crime Prevention Council, in this GEICO spot directed by Randy Krallman of Smuggler.
McGruff has solved a crime but is having trouble being taken seriously by his live-action detective colleagues who can only humor him with baby talk–the way many of us talk to dogs and puppies.
GEICO’s spokesman intervenes, noting that as long as people baby talk their dogs and puppies, GEICO will offer significant cost savings on car insurance.
Credits
Client GEICO Agency The Martin Agency Steve Bassett, group creative director; Neel Williams, Justin Harris, creative directors; Brett Alexander, executive producer; Heather Tanton-Collier, sr. content producer; M.A. Williams, jr. content producer. Production Smuggler Randy Krallman, director; Bryan Newman, DP; Ian Blain, line producer. Editorial Cut+Run Rob Ryang, editor; Beau Dickson, assistant editor; Ellese Jobin, editorial producer. VFX, Design, Color The Mill Anastasia von Rahl, exec producer; Alex Bader, producer; Jake Fritz, production coordinator; Phil Crowe, executive creative director; Adam Scott, colorist. Running With Scissors, remote color facility. Audio Heard City Mike Vitacco, sound designer/mixer; Sasha Awn, producer. Stock Music American Public Music
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
