Chick-fil-A’s latest installment of its annual Christmas campaign from McCann–the centerpiece of which is this animated short–invites fans back to the world of Evergreen Hills, encouraging them to find joy in the unexpected this holiday season.
In the film, our main character, a girl named Sam, returns to help a new friend CeCe repair a cherished family ornament. With a little help from a quirky baker in Evergreen Hills, they discover the ability to transform an unexpected moment into something wonderful.
With the added pressure for a perfect holiday after a year apart, this film is a reminder to find joy during a stressful season–even when things don’t go exactly as planned. Who knows what magic you’ll find in the seemingly imperfect realities of the season?
McCann led creative development for the campaign and partnered with Psyop on production, bringing viewers to a whimsical bakery in the town of Evergreen Hills called The Whoopsery.
Dircted by Psyop's Marie Hyon, the new two-minute film launched digitally this week, will air Thanksgiving Day on NBC, and will continue to run on TV and in cinemas throughout the holiday season.
Credits
Client Chick-fil-A Agency McCann Sean Bryan, Tom Murphy, co-chief creative officers, North America. Larry Platt, Danny Rodriguez, EVPs, executive creative directors, NY; Sherrod Melvin, Thomas Weingard, Jason McKean, group creative directors, NY; David Mashburn, executive design director, NY; Jesse Yowell, Dan Colburn, associate creative directors, NY; Ethan Buller, design, director, NY; Luzdivina Ruiz, sr. art director; Josh Race, sr. copywriter; Ralph Vibar, art director; Kathy Love, SVP, executive integrated producer; Eric Johnson, SVP, executive music producer, integrated production; Julianna Katrancha, SVP, global strategy director; Justin Luk, Amanda Shaprio, VP, strategy director. Production Psyop, bicoastal Marie Hyon, director; Eve Strickman, exec producer; Andrew Rindlaub, producer; Claire Funderburk, assistant producer; Raven Burnett, writer; Vicorior Intrasombat, Winnie Mai, Misha Oplev, Andrew Park, Laura Yan, designers; Ben Chan, storyboard artist; Briana Franceschini, lead technical director; Ryan Moran, Pt Porter, Michael Sime, previs artists; Kwan Au, Winnie Mai, David Soto, modelers; Kwan Au, Matthias Bauerie, Sarah Bocket, Briana Franceschini, Anne Yang, lighters; & dev artists;Ieva Sauciunaite, lighter; James Atkinson, Steve Hallquist, VFX artists; Pat Porter, lead 3D animator; Sam Crees, Nayoun Kim, Ryan Moran, Michael Sime, Anthony Travieso, Matt Williamson, 3D animators; Zed Bennett, lead rigger, Zeth Willie, rigger; Zed Bennett, Fred Qiao, John Block, technical animation/hair & cloth simulation; Matthias Bauerle, 2D lead; Aaron Baker, Carl Mok, Herculano Fernandes, Manu Gaulot, Sarah Yoo, compositors; Loren Christiansen, editor; Keigo Tanaka, assistant editor. (Toolbox: Maya, Arnold, Zbrush, Yeti, Substance Painter, Photoshop, Nuke, Premiere, Houdini) Sound Design & Audio Post Decibel, New York Tom Goldblatt, sound designer & engineer; Alicia Rodgers, exec producer. Music Squeak E. Clean Studios, bicoastal/international Jesse Watt, composer; Zac Colwell, creative director; Kit Winter, exec producer; Nick Doering, Nick Keenan, Karla Henwood producers.
The Ad Council, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and AdoptUSKids, launched a public service campaign, created pro bono by Edelman, which aims to inspire prospective parents to consider adopting a teen from foster care.
This centerpiece PSA titled “The Rewards”--directed by The Hudson Dusters (Michael Kuhn and Niles Roth) via Greenpoint Pictures--spotlights real adoptive families who have personally experienced the mutual benefits of adoption. This longer form PSA (and cutdown versions) begins with a touching display of openness and vulnerability as adoptive parents reflect on their adoption journeys and their initial questions and hesitations about adopting a teen. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, the adoptive parents witness their children recounting the profound rewards of adoption in their lives. The teens speak of the love they share with their parents and how the decision to become a family is reciprocal. The campaign directs viewers to the AdoptUSKids website to learn more about adopting a teen from foster care.
