This imaginative ad reveals the secret behind 2005 Slam Dunk Contest winner Josh Smith’s brilliant moves. In the middle of a pick up game of basketball, pilots are working hard inside Smith’s sneakers to control his stability and direction to make sure he hits his target on slam dunks�the rim. The end of the advertisement shows a customer leaving Champs Sports with a new pair of Adidas sneakers. The pilots inside the shoes that are still in the box communicate that they have “zero visibility.”
CreditsAgency: AKA Advertising SVP/CD, Douglas Spitzer; Executive Producer, Chris Thielo; Associate Producer, Carly Chappell, ACD/Art Director, Jesse Scaturro Production Company: Chelsea Director, Evan Bernard; DP, Don Davis; Executive Prodcuer, Sam Penfield; Producer, Jonathan Gribetz Editorial: Whitehouse Post Productions Producer, Corina Dennison; Lead Editor, Colby Parker Jr. Visual Effects: Chelsea 3D Modeling, Steve Sullivan; 3D Lighting & Textures, Alex Topaller; Tracking & Compositing, Christopher Green; Lead EFX Designer, Thor Raxlen; Designer/Animator, Dan Shapiro Music: audioEngine Mixer, Tom Goldblatt Sound Design: Amber (Heavenly) Music Producer, Kate Gibson; Sound Designer, Bill Chesley; Composer, The Elements
Top Spot of the Week: Director Jake Scott, Paramount Brand Studios “Make Your Gameday Epic” In “Gladiator II”-Inspired Pepsi Spot
Nearly 20 years after Pepsi’s “Roman Empire” made its mark on pop culture, the brand is returning to the arena with a colossal Gladiator-themed campaign titled, “Make Your Gameday Epic™.” Celebrating the start of the 2024 NFL season and the highly anticipated release of Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II in theaters on Nov. 22, this short film--directed by Jake Scott via RSA Films for Paramount Brand Studio features Megan Thee Stallion, as Empress Megan, leading a legion of NFL superstars turned Gridiron Gladiators, including Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce, locked in an epic battle with ice-cold Pepsi at the heart of the action. A brand-new gameday anthem from three-time, Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion soundtracks the campaign. The unmistakable “boom, boom, clap” from Queen’s epic track “We Will Rock You” is featured on a fresh sample with cutting new lyrics from Megan. The new track became available on all major music streaming platforms, and ahead of Megan hosting the 2024 MTV VMAs last night (9.11), where the track and music-video inspired spot were heard and seen throughout the show. “I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the legends who appeared in this Gladiator campaign 20 years ago and proud to have carved my own new legacy,” said Megan Thee Stallion. “Pepsi really brought the worlds of music, sports and entertainment together in a powerful way to set off the new NFL season.” The spot opens with Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy peering into a can of Pepsi Zero Sugar as it transforms into a colosseum. Empress Megan calls the shots, and the royal roster of NFL players are at her command as they all vie for her favor and a sip of an ice-cold Pepsi... Read More