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.
For the global EX30 Cross Country launch, Volvo and creative agency Forsman & Bodenfors wants to de-dramatize the outdoor experience--and remind people that small trips into nature can be grand experiences.
Cross Country is Volvo’s concept of turning their regular cars into more outdoor-capable versions, with higher ground clearance, all-wheel drive and other features making it more capable and off-road ready. And now, the compact, fully electric EX30 becomes available as a Cross Country version. It’s a small car designed for big experiences, made to elevate both urban living and outdoor adventure, and to bring people closer to nature.
“With Volvo being such a human-centric brand, it felt natural to focus on the human side of nature. The child’s perspective became the perfect metaphor for this, to spend time in nature on nature’s terms,” said Karl Risenfors, creative at Forsman & Bodenfors.
In a category that often portrays epic journeys deep into the wilderness, the campaign serves as a reminder that even everyday adventures can be memorable experiences. Thus this launch spot--directed by Marcus Ibanez via production company New-Land--shows nature through the point of view of a child. A child’s imagination and perspective generates a visual metaphor for the magic that nature can bring, no matter the scale of the adventure.
