A man is ordered by police officers to pull over and surrender his box of Popped Wheat Thins. He refuses and a chase ensues–except the fleeing guy and law enforcement personnel are not in cars. Instead, they’re in hot air balloons, with the cops then getting backup in their pursuit as we see another hot air balloon arrive on scene.
Harold Einstein of Dummy directed for agency Being in New York.
Client Popped Wheat Thins Agency Being New York Matt Ian, executive creative director; Samira Ansari, Lisa Topol, creative directors; Jerome Marucci, copywriter; Steve McElligott, art director; Jason Souter, executive producer. Production Dummy Harold Einstein, director; Eric Liney, exec producer. Editorial Mackenzie Cutler Erik Laroi, editor; Sasha Hirschfeld, exec producer; Evan Meeker, postproduction; Sam Shaffer, sound designer. Visual Effects Moving Picture Company (MPC) Justin Brukman, exec producer; Adele Major, producer; Ricky Weissman, VFX supervisor; Chris Bernier, Mikael Pettersson, Marcus Wood, Carolyn Figel, Sang Lee, VFX team. Post Company 3 Tim Masick, colorist. Music Butter Dave Quattrini, composer; Annick Mayer, producer; Ian Jeffreys, exec producer. Audio Sound Lounge Tom Jucarone, mixer.
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.
Now in its 34th year, White Ribbon... Read More
