This Toyota holiday spot titled “Present from the Past”–directed by Lisa Gunning of Imperial Woodpecker for Saatchi & Saatchi–tells the story of a young woman who receives a Christmas gift from her grandmother. Inside the package is a vintage camera and a collection of her grandmother’s photos from when she was the granddaughter’s age. Inspired by the camera and with the help of her all-new 2024 Tacoma, the granddaughter decides to recreate the old photos of her grandmother by going to all the same places. Over the course of the following year, she journeys far and wide across the country: to bustling cities, desert canyons, heartland pastures, tranquil forests, secluded coastlines, small town attractions, and beyond.
In the final scene, she arrives at her grandmother’s home just in time for Christmas, surprising her with a photo album she’s created from her travels, alongside her grandmother’s photos from the past. Her grandmother is deeply touched by her granddaughter’s thoughtful gift.
Credits
Client Toyota Agency Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles Jason Schragger, chief creative officer; Leo Circo, Sandra Luciano, group creative directors; Andrew Reizuch, Jerry Underwood, associate creative directors, art directors; Scott Ellman, Randy Quan, associate creative directors, copywriters; Doğan Dattilo, head of production; Pamela Parsons, director of content production; Jennifer Vogtmann, executive producer; Grace Wong, sr. producer; Jarred Causly, sr. music supervisor; Tanisha Edwards, jr. music supervisor; Mark Turner, chief strategy officer. Production Imperial Woodpecker Lisa Gunning, director; Doug Halbert, managing partner; Charlie Cocuzza, exec producer; Bart Lipton, line producer; Evan Prosofsky, DP. Editorial Cartel Leo Scott, editor; Ramon DeSouza, assistant editor; Erin Bates, post producer. Finishing/VFX Framestore Michael Ralla, creative director/VFX supervisor; Pete King, exec producer; Jose Alvarado, finishing associate producer; Timothy Crabtree, lead compositor. Music "A Little Love" by Celeste Final Mix/Sound Design Lime Studios Loren Silber, audio engineer; Susie Boyajan, exec producer; Cassie Underwood, associate producer.
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
