Running a small business is stressful at the best of times, but then 2020 happened. That’s why financial management software company Intuit QuickBooks is launching its biggest ever integrated campaign in the U.K. to show how it can provide support, particularly for the self-employed–by “Taking Care of Business.”
This :60–directed by Nick Ball via production house Blink, with visual effects from Time Based Arts–introduces viewers to the hard-nosed QuickBooks team, each member with their financial expertise (and giant personality), walking with attitude through a swanky office. As the spot goes on, we realize that the team consists of teeny tiny people, and this office is in fact on the counter of a fish-and-chips shop complete with a napkin holder door, fork dispenser wall and a pickled egg art installation. The chippy’s pocket-sized financial team is always on hand for whatever the business needs.
Credits
Client Intuit QuickBooks Agency Wieden+Kennedy London Tony Davidson, Iain Tait, executive creative directors; Hollie Walker, Cal Al-Jorani, creative directors; Francesca Van Haverbeke, Florence Deary, creatives; Natasha Johnson, Rose Fairley, producers. Production Blink Nick Ball, director; Patrick Craig, exec producer; Ewen Brown, producer; Steve Annis, DP. Editorial Stitch Tim Hardy, editor. VFX Time Based Arts Tom Johnson, VFX exec producer; Luke Todd, Sam Osborne, VFX supervisor; Lewis Crossfield, colorist; Andrei Verioti, motion graphics; Alex Thursby-Pelham, lead designer. Sound Design & Mix 750MPH Jake Ashwell, Sam Ashwell, sound designers; Martin Critchely, sound producer. Music Supervision Birdbrain Jake Buckley, music supervisor.
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.
