The latest iteration of AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign, now in its seventh year, is making sure that everyone hears the message loud and clear during Distracted Driving Awareness Month: No distraction is worth a future.
Oscar-winning (The Fog of War) documentarian Errol Morris directed these two campaign spots via Biscuit Filmworks for BBDO New York, shining a light on the faces of distracted driving by showing us what might have been for two teenage boys.
If Caleb Sorohan and Forrest Cepeda were alive today, they might be pursuing their dream jobs or teaching their kids to play sports. Maybe they’d still be figuring life out. But we’ll never know–smartphone distracted drivers cut their lives short when they were teens. Forensic artists and visual effects teams recreated what Caleb and Forrest would look like today had they not been killed, and each :30 spot tells the story of what each might be doing with his life. The spots end on the line “This is what Caleb Sorohan/Forrest Cepeda would look like if they hadn’t been killed in distracted driving accidents.”
This week’s Top Spot tells us what might have been for Caleb. VFX house on the campaign was The Mill New York.
CreditsClient AT&T Agency BBDO New York David Lubars, chief creative officer, worldwide; Greg Hahn, chief creative officer, NY; Matt MacDonald, executive creative director; Kevin Mulroy, Bianca Guimaraes, creative directors; David Rolfe, director of integrated production; Julie Collins, group executive producer; Dan Blaney, executive producer; Bree Hopenwasser, producer; Crystal Rix, chief strategy officer; Charles Baker, strategy director; Claire McCastle, project manager. Production Biscuit Errol Morris, director; Julie Ahlberg, line producer; Shawn Lacy, managing director; Jeff McDougall, exec producer; Rachel Glaub, head of production. Editorial Exile NY Steven Hathaway, editor; Molly Rokosz, assistant editor; Sasha Hirshfield, exec producer; Evyn Bruce, producer. Finishing/VFX The Mill NY Angus Kneale, chief creative officer; Ben Smith, executive creative director; Gavin Wellsman, Corey Brown, creative directors; Patrick Heinen, shoot supervisor; Fergus McCall, colorist; Rachael Trillo, exec producer; Nirad “Bugs” Russell, sr. producer; Sophie Mitchel, Mia Lalanne, coordinators; Krissy Nordella, 2D lead; Corrie Brown, Jamie Scott, Kevan Lee, Rob Meade, compositors; Bobby Ushiro, design. Music Human James Dean Wells, exec producer; Theo Degunzberg, Gordon Minette, composers. Audio Post Human Craig Caniglia, post producer; Sloan Alexander, engineer. Age Progression Art Phojoe Jovey Hayes, age progression; Emanuel Craciunescu, age progression art direction.
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