Client Cheerios (General Mills) Agency Saatchi & Saatchi New York Peter Moore Smith, Justin Ebert, executive creative directors; Johnie Ingram, creative director; Nick Marchese, copywriter; Taylor Lucas, art director; Tanya LeSieur, chief production officer; John Doris, head of content production; Dani Stoller, executive producer; Eric Korte, music director; Emily Williamson, production manager. Production Community Films, Los Angeles Matt Smukler, director; Tami Reiker, DP; Carl Swan, exec producer; Carr Donald, line producer. Editorial Beast, New York Jim Ulbrich, editor; Elmer McCarty, assistant editor; Valerie Iorio, producer; Helena Lee, exec producer Post Company 3, New York Tom Poole, colorist; Post Gryphn, New York Scott Bravo, sr. VFX artist; Mark Reyes, producer. End Tag Animation Calabash Animation, Chicago. Wayne Brejcha, creative director; Sean Henry, exec producer. Music Big Foote, New York. Kari Steinert, music arrangement. Audio Sonic Union, New York Michael Marinelli, mixer. VFX Michael Ricca, compositor (freelance)
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