Bitburger, Serviceplan and Stink Films Berlin took a road trip around Germany to capture the emotion of football fans in the lead up to the UEFA Euro 2024. Bitburger is the official national beer of the UEFA Euro Championships in Germany.
Directed by documentary specialist Eliot Rausch via Stink Films, the “Bitte” tour campaign celebrates all that brings people together around major football events–food, traditions, storytelling, paraphernalia, hugs, and of course, shared moments with Bitburger.
To authentically capture the emotion behind these moments, Rausch and the production team traveled around the country interviewing and shooting real life fans in their usual spaces. We see domestic spaces, pubs, restaurants, workshops and streets, brought to life by the fervor of people and their devotion to their teams.
Within the campaign, the “Bitte” (meaning please in English) is the visual and textual anchor of the communication and introduces the new brand platform.
Rausch said, “Traveling through Germany for a while changed me. And it quickly became evident that in a post COVID world, we long to be connected rather than divided. With a trustworthy client, an inventive agency, a hopeful script, and a few vans packed to the brim with our production team, we traveled from Berlin to Hamburg, to Gelsenkirchen, Lindau, and Weimar. No actors, real people and their friends, and friends of their friends. It was a celebration of our togetherness, that powerful élan vital–captured all to invigorate Germany’s journey towards the 2024 EuroCup”
CreditsClient Bitburger Agency Serviceplan Production Stink Films Berlin Eliot Rausch, director; Cedric Schanze, DP; Justin Stiebel, managing director; Moritz Merkel, exec producer; Michael Hessenbruch, Nikita Mikitin, producers; Linus Weber, 1st AD; Jan Henrick Becker, journalist; Katrein Baumeister, research; Florian Schuppel, photographer; Evgeniy Marantz, Maurizio Gallicchio, art department & styling; Robert Sieg, post producer. Editorial Jonas Baumgartel, editor; Leonidas Befeldt, Julian Neville, Max Eigentler, additional editors. Postproduction nhb video GmbH Jacob McKee, color grading. Music & Sound Design Staub Audio. Voiceover Casting Massive Voices Charly Hubner, voiceover.
The Best Work You May Never See: Ad Council, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, GSD&M, Director Andre Muir Show Us “The Bravest Thing”
As Suicide Prevention Month begins, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Ad Council teamed with agency GSD&M to roll out PSAs for their national campaign: “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” The initiative, which started in 2021, urges Veterans who are facing challenges to visit VA.gov/REACH, a comprehensive website that helps them access the many resources available.
The PSAs, including this one titled “The Bravest Thing,” were directed by Andre Muir of production house SMUGGLER. “The Bravest Thing” acknowledges that it can be hard for Veterans to reach out if they’re struggling--but in the eyes of their loved ones, seeking help is an act of bravery. By featuring Veterans alongside their friends and family, the film encourages Veterans to open up if they’re struggling and reminds everyone that they can play a role in supporting Veterans in their lives.
“When a Veteran is ready to reach out, VA is ready to provide services and support. One of the bravest things Veterans can do is ask for help,” said Dr. Matthew Miller, executive director, VA Office of Suicide Prevention. “These new messages are powerful and compassionate additions to the ‘Don’t Wait. Reach Out.’ campaign that features the voices of loved ones, underscoring the vital role that family and friends play in supporting Veterans. We all play a role in suicide prevention and this call to action engages community and connections, which are crucial in preventing Veteran suicide. Through this campaign, we can spread hope that Veterans, and all of us, can overcome crises and difficult life challenges.”
6,392 Veterans lost their lives to suicide in 2021, according to the latest data from the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.... Read More