In the last few years, many states have passed legislation banning specific books, and critical parts of American history–erasing the stories and contributions of marginalized people in our country. Just recently, Florida banned the use of state and federal funds on DEI programs at state universities. And it doesn’t appear like it will stop there.
So Courageous Conversations and agency Wieden+Kennedy New York teamed on a campaign based on the belief that all students deserve to have an education that represents our true history. The “America Erased” campaign was designed to show the dangerous repercussions of erasing stories that represent American values. A cornerstone of the campaign is this powerful film directed by Omar Jones via Riff Raff Films.
The film shows key pieces of history wiped away from photos and archival footage–with luminary figures like Dr. Martin Luther King banished from the classroom and Ruby Bridges eliminated from textbooks.
Credits
Client Courageous Conversation Agency Wieden+Kennedy New York Marques Gartrell, chief creative officer/creative director; Monica Roebuck, copywriter; Macaihah Broussard, art director; Nick Setounski, head of integrated production; Cecilia Ramirez, producer; Caroline Park, associate producer; Christopher Gonzalez, art producer; Christian Colasuonno, sr. interactive producer; Donovan Triplett, brand strategy director; Mia Lockhart, designer. Production Company Riff Raff Omar Jones, director; Matthew Fone, owner; Matthew Clyde, exec producer; David Wept, producer; Jagger Corcione, line producer; Nem Fisher, production manager; Madison Baker, production coorindator. Editorial Arcade Edit Paul Martinez, editor; Sila Soyer, exec producer; Arlene Perez, producer; Lucas Ferreira, editorial assistant. VFX Preymaker Angus Kneale, Verity Kneale, Melanie Wickham, Clairellen Wallin, Luis Martin, Ija Ochoa, Jabulani Simelane, Edward Lopez, Julian Fitzpatrick, Nathan Anderson, David Grzesik, Hassan Taimur, Casey Herrick, Samantha Woods, Nicholas Young, Wynand de Wet, Kelley Harris, makers. Telecine Company 3 Sofie Borup, colorist; Shannen Troup, producer; Kevin Breheny, head of production. Audio Post Sonic Union Steve Rosen, sound designer/mix engineer; Justine Cortale, studio director. Music Company Walker Sara Matarazzo, managing director; Neha Ewell, Dottie Scharr, sr. producers; Sam Zirin, associate producer; Malcolm Parson, composer; Garrett Chabot, music editor.
How do you top one of the most viral brand videos ever made? Spoiler alert: you canโt. But when Dollar Shave Club tapped Zack Seckler to direct a new campaign to revive the absurdist humor of its iconic launch video, he knew he had a rare opportunity to create something special.
The brief was simple: introduce the concept of a physical โClubโ that people would love to join while showcasing Dollar Shave Clubโs products and embracing the weird. From script to direction and post, Seckler--an alum of SHOOTโs 2021 New Directors Showcase--was invited to help sculpt that vision.
The result is this โWelcome to the Clubโ spot which invites us to join a unique, seemingly exclusive but in reality an accessible and affordable fraternity of Dollar Shave Club members. But you need to know the password or more accurately, the two-word phrase--"shave money."
โThe Clubโ campaign brings the brand back to its humorous roots, reflecting a new chapter after being acquired by Nexus Capital Management from Unilever in late 2023. The work takes Dollar Shave Club back to its disruptive beginnings and what made the brand a viral sensation from its inception in 2011.
