Part of a motor insurance campaign for client AXA, this film tells the story of a girl who’s extremely curious and blazingly full of life. One day, she’s left in the care of her grandfather, a hard-nosed and slightly grumpy old man who has retreated to solitude and the confines of his own home. She discovers his passion for birdwatching, which quickly becomes hers too. They grow closer, underscoring the AXA campaign message, “Stay focused on what matters.”
Sean Meehan directed and shot via Paris production company Superette this heartwarming four-minute short, titled Birders, for agency Publicis Conseil, Paris.
The campaign has launched in Ireland, with a debut in Switzerland slated for April.
Credits
Client AXA Group Agency Publicis Conseil Marco Venturelli, president in charge of creation; Steve O’Leary, global creative director; Marc Rosier, copywriter; Jean Marc Tramoni, art director; Antoine Collignon, strategic planner; Constance Prodhomme, art director assistant. Agency Production Prodigious Armelle Sudron, Sophie Bouyer, producers. Production Superette Sean Meehan, director/DP; Frederika Mathivet, producer; Karine D’hont, line producer; Marthe Heitner, production coordinator. Postproduction/Editorial Everest Pauline Marie-Louise, post producer/edit; Olivier Gajan, editor; Julie Gaufreteau, assistant editor. Postproduction House Prodigious Sophie Garel, post producer; Mathieu Caplanne, colorist; Sebastien Delecourt, Flame artist; Julien Barthelemy, After Effects. Color Alterego Post Eric Whipp, colorist (director’s cut). Music/Sound Design Prodigious Christophe Caurret, Boris Nicou, Carsten Kruger, music/sound design; Sam Thompson, composer; Laurent Lavaud, sound engineer.
The Ad Council, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and AdoptUSKids, launched a public service campaign, created pro bono by Edelman, which aims to inspire prospective parents to consider adopting a teen from foster care.
This centerpiece PSA titled “The Rewards”--directed by The Hudson Dusters (Michael Kuhn and Niles Roth) via Greenpoint Pictures--spotlights real adoptive families who have personally experienced the mutual benefits of adoption. This longer form PSA (and cutdown versions) begins with a touching display of openness and vulnerability as adoptive parents reflect on their adoption journeys and their initial questions and hesitations about adopting a teen. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, the adoptive parents witness their children recounting the profound rewards of adoption in their lives. The teens speak of the love they share with their parents and how the decision to become a family is reciprocal. The campaign directs viewers to the AdoptUSKids website to learn more about adopting a teen from foster care.
