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.
Credits
Client 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.
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 filmโs 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 childโs 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 โ Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the โBullying-Free Schoolsโ program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
โResearch indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
