Chris Sargent of Anonymous Content directed this “Countdown” spot for Walgreens out of Team WPP. Narrated by singer John Legend, the ad is part of the “This is Our Shot” campaign designed to help put COVID-19 vaccinations in people’s arms throughout the U.S.
“Countdown” takes us in reverse through social activities we lost due to the COVID lockdown, reminding us that vaccines are available to help us resume a semblance of normality and get back to many of the life’s pleasures that have eluded us over the past year-plus. Vaccines represent "our shot at getting back together," says a Legend voiceover.
Mel Routhier, chief creative officer of WPP Walgreens Team, said, “I can speak confidently on behalf of WPP Team WBA (Walgreens Boots Alliance) in saying the ‘This is our shot’ campaign is the most incredibly important work we have developed together. Creating equity, access and distribution of the vaccine is critical to the rejuvenation of the communities we serve each day.”
Credits
Client Walgreens Agency Team WPP Mel Routhier, chief creative officer; Todd Brusnighan, John Staffen, group creative directors; Matt Bush, associate creative director, copywriter; Joel Arzu, associate creative director, art director; Jorge Brieva, sr. copywriter; Amy Turner, EP/head of production. Production Anonymous Content Chris Sargent, director; Lori Stonebraker, Sue Ellen Clair, exec producers; Kerry Haynie, head of production; Paul Meyers, DP. Production Services The Lift. Editorial The Den Ross Birchall, editor; Paul Hicks, assistant editor; Jessica Mann, producer; Mary Ellen Duggan, exec producer. Finish ArtJail Steve Mottershead, owner/creative director; Ross Denner, head of 3D; Christoph Schroer, lead 2D compositor; Georgios Cherouvim, Vraja Parra, CG FX artists; Ben Elliot, CG generalist; Dayung Jo, Giulia Bartra, 2D compositors; John Skeffington, exec producer; Michael Brown, producer. Telecine Stefan Sonnenfeld, sr. colorist; Blake Rice, producer; Ashley McKim, exec producer. Sound Design/Audio Post Heard City Phil Loeb, sound designer, mixer; Gloria Pitagorsky, managing director; Sasha Awn, Jackie James, exec producers; Andi Lewis, producer; Nick Duvarney, assistant producer; Ronnie Stapleton, Seth Brogdon, Catherine Sangiovanni, Bennett Kerr, assistant mixers. Music Andy Huckvale
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
