A not-so-grand circle of critics–who for years have been scoring media points by taking NBA superstar Kevin Durant to task–is finally silenced when the Golden State Warriors win the NBA world championship with Durant named the Finals MVP.
Titled “Debate This,” the Nike spot debuted right after Game 5 of the Finals on Monday night (6/12), in which the Warriors clinched the title.
Tim Godsall of Anonymous Content directed the commercial for Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore.
Client Nike Agency Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore. Alberto Ponte, Ryan O’Rourke, creative directors; Dan Viens, interactive director; Josh Bogdan, copywriter; Pedro Izique, art director; Matt Hunnicutt, integrated production director; Jake Grand, sr. integrated producer; Candice Harbour, production associate; Reid Schilperoort, Nathan Goldberg, Andy Lindblade, strategy. W+K Studio Tim O’Brien, Deb Lee. Emily Norman, creative management. Production Anonymous Content Tim Godsall, director; Eric Stern, exec producer; Brady Vant Hull, line producer; Darko Suvak, DP. Editorial Arcade Geoff Hounsell, editor; Laura Sanford, assistant editor; Alexa Atkin, post producer; Damian Stevens, managing partner; Crissy DeSimone, exec producer. VFX, Design & Color The Mill Anastasia Von Rahl, exec producer; Alana Giordano, production coordinator; John Shirley, lead artist; Phil Millberger, Flame artist; Adam Scott, colorist; Thatcher Peterson, exec producer/color; Diane Valera, color producer. Music/Sound Design Barking Owl Kelly Bayett, creative director/partner; Ashley Benton, producer; Morgan Johnson, sound designer; Houston Fry, music sweetening. Licensed music: “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” by Old Dirty Bastard Audio Post Lime Studios Zac Fisher, mixer; Susie Boyajan, exec 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
