In this offbeat comedy spot for Volkswagen out of NY agency Johannes Leonardo, we are introduced to a pedestrian who behaves as if he’s the center of the universe–while also oblivious to the universe around him. With one inconsiderate act after another, he makes his way from his apartment, out onto the sidewalk and ultimately jaywalks in the path of an oncoming VW Atlas with a family on board.
The Atlas automatically stops, avoiding hitting the jaywalker. A voiceover notes that VW products are made to keep everyone safe–even “those guys” in reference to the ungrateful, unaware, uncaring pedestrian.
“Those Guys” was directed by Bjorn Ruhmann via production house SMUGGLER.
CreditsClient Volkswagen Group of America Agency Johannes Leonardo, New York Jan Jacobs, Leo Premutico, co-founders and creative chairmen; Julia Neumann, chief creative officer; Jonathan Santana, group creative director; Julian Cohen, sr. copywriter; Mikayla Lapierre, sr. art director; Charles Watlington, design director; Maria Perez, head of production; Rebecca O’Neill, group executive producer; Kelly Treadway, sr. producer; Steve Zaroff, chief strategy officer; Mary Bakarich, group strategy director; Kat Logan, strategy director. Production Company SMUGGLER Bjorn Ruhmann, director; Patrick Milling-Smith, Brian Carmody, Allison Kunzman, exec producers; Alexandra Lisee, producer; Danielle Billman, production supervisor; Jess Hall, DP; Kate Bunch, production designer. Editorial Gattie & Lopez Chuck Willis, founder/editor; Sue Willis, founder/managing director; Anna Peitti, producer. Finish/VFX/Color Grade The Mill Mark Gethin, colorist; Kieran Hanrahan, VFX lead; Jimmy Bullard, creative director; Clairellen Wallen, sr. exec producer; Ed Rilli, sr. producer; Ramya Shankar, Jessica Amburgey, producers. Audio Post Sonic Union Steve Rosen, audio mixer/founder; Rob DiFondi, Kelly Oostman, audio mixers; Justine Cortale, managing director/studio manager. Licensed Music Premier Music Group Ian Herbert, music supervisor; Aaron Mercer, partner/EVP.
Director Gia Coppola Teams With Mejuri For “A New York Minute”; 1st Episode Takes Us To The Grocery Store
Mejuri, known for turning fine jewelry into an everyday luxury, has partnered with director Gia Coppola (The Last Show Girl, Palo Alto) and The Directors Bureau in Los Angeles, for the first time reimagining the brand’s story as episodic content. In a series of microfilms, co-created by Coppola and premiering following New York Fashion Week, Mejuri eschewed a typical celebrity campaign and cast us as voyeurs to a group of aspiring young women--real people, not actors--at the crossroads of their adult lives against the backdrop of New York City.
Titled “A New York Minute,” the series features five real-life friends, who include one perfectly imperfect heroine named Emma. The women celebrate ordinary moments and interactions which reveal, sometimes retrospectively, the extraordinary within the mundane. Adjacent to the brand’s own community, the 30-something year old cast includes Laura Love (Emma), Rebecca Ressler, Natalie Vall-Freed and Rozzi Crane. Mejuri’s jewelry makes an appearance as the best supporting actor.
“When I met with Gia and The Directors Bureau team, there was instant creative and personal chemistry and a natural alignment on the desire to push and blur the lines between marketing, storytelling, and the construct of what a ‘campaign’ could be,” said Jacob Jordan, chief brand officer, Mejuri. “Gia was able to push that idea into something that truly feels new and artful, with a realism and relatability that almost feels jarring. Gia was such a perfect collaborator and partner, someone I had complete trust in to be a catalyst for Mejuri’s values of celebrating women as their truest selves. I can’t wait for us to continue to tell the next chapters of this story.”
To land the relatable... Read More