Inspired by the emotional moments parents and children experience during the back-to-school season, Kleenex’s latest creative spot “The Big Day” captures the heartwarming journey of a mom and son on his first day of school.
The spot opens on a mother preparing her son for the big day. As he packs his backpack, he includes a pack of Kleenex. The ad follows with their ride to school, ending at the school drop-off where the mom tears up and her son runs back to comfort her with the Kleenex he packed earlier. In the background, a poignant cover of Bob Marley and The Wailers’ “Three Little Birds” plays, infusing the spot with added emotion.
Christopher Riggert directed via Biscuit Filmworks for FCB Chicago.
Credits
Client Kimberly Clark Brand Kleenex Agency FCB Chicago Kelly Graves, CEO, president; Pedro Perez, chief creative officer; Mollie B. Partesotti, chief strategy officer; Kelly Mertesdorf, SVP, group strategic planning director; Alan Shen, Chris Walker, SVPs, creative directors; Stacy Rudolph, Rose Schuchat, creative directors; Thomas Martin, VP, executive producer; Stump Mahoney, executive producer, director of music. Production Biscuit Filmworks Christopher Riggert, director; Shawn Lacy, founding partner; Andrew Travelstead, exec producer; Jeff McDougall, producer; Sean Moody, head of production; Jody Lee Lipes, DP; Sue Tebbutt, production designer. Editorial Work Editorial Stewart Reeves, Leah Turner, editors; Alfred Cisneros, Augie Savoy, assistant editors; Rebecca Baker, producer; Gabrielle Page, head of production; Remy Foxx, exec producer; Marlo Baird, managing director. Finishing & Color Grade Trafik Noah Caddis, Flame lead; Luis “Yosh” Bolivar, motion graphics; Stephanie Allis, Justin Rogers CdeBaca, sr. producers; Mark Gethin, colorist; Taylor Pool, assistant colorist; Sasha Pace, producer; Greer Bratschie, head of production. Sound Design & Mix Another Country Peter Erazmus, sound designer/mixer; Lucas Hansa, audio assistant. Josh Hunnicutt, producer; Louise Rider, exec producer; Tim Konn, managing director. Music The Elements Music Marissa Burwell, “Spring Studying” vocals; Robert Lamond, “Sickness Cycle” singer.
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
