No need to use your hands to reach across the dinner table for a delicious King's Hawaiian roll. Family members instead just suck with vacuum-like power and the rolls jet right to their mouths. Even a neighbor across the street is able to enjoy a roll as he sucks one that flies through an open window right to his waiting lips.
Brian Billow of Anonymous Content directed this offbeat comedic slice of life for Energy BBDO Chicago.
Credits
Client King’s Hawaiian. Agency Energy BBDO Chicago. Dan Fietsam, chief creative officer (he has since departed the agency); Rick Hamann, SVP/group creative director (has since left the agency); Amy Ditchman, creative director/art director; Rowley Samuel, EVP/head of integrated production; Patty Phassos, senior producer. Production Company Anonymous Content, bicoastal/international. Brian Billow, director; Igor Jadue, DP; Eric Stern, SueEllen Clair, executive producers; Mark Hall, producer. South Pictures, Santiago, Chile. Maria Paz Zedán, Ryan Wagner, executive producers; Veronica Figueroa, line producer. Shot on location outside Santiago, Chile. Visual Effects/Post MassMarket Editorial Beast, Chicago. John Dingfield, editor; Kendall Fash, producer. Post Company 3, New York. Tim Masick, colorist. Audio Audio Producers Group, Chicago. Peter Erazmus, sound engineer; Mindy Verson, David Kaplan, producers/partners.
White Ribbon has launched its “My Friend, Max Hate” campaign in Canada featuring this public service film that follows the journey of a young, isolated boy who becomes influenced by a misogynistic online puppet, “Max Hate.” The PSA reveals how online figures in the manosphere--a network of online communities promoting hateful, misogynistic rhetoric which fuels attitudes among young men and boys that contribute to gender-based violence.
“It’s alarming to see the growing impact of the manosphere and how they are conditioning vulnerable populations such as teens, particularly young men,” said Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon CEO. “These misogynistic online groups have existed for years, but their influence has grown under controversial figures, driving an increase in gender-based violence. With the My Friend, Max Hate campaign, our goal is to expose the damaging influence of misogynistic figures and raise awareness, particularly among young men who are often drawn into these toxic online communities.”
Launching two weeks before Safer Internet Day (February 11), the campaign--from Toronto agency Bensimon Byrne--underscores the importance of online safety and protecting youth through clear content boundaries.
White Ribbon is creating an online resource hub that educates individuals on how to recognize harmful online groups and provides support for young men and boys seeking to escape. Additionally, the campaign will launch a TikTok account, @max_hate_, featuring the PSA ‘My Friend, Max Hate’ puppet to expose how these figures gain influence and spread hate in a space that reaches those most influenced, young men.
The PSA was directed by Angie Bird via Toronto-based Westside Studio.