Directed by Kristian Mercado via production company Easy Mondays for The Martin Agency and client Door Dash, this documentary short titled Soul of the City profiles New York City restaurants Caracas Arepa Bar, Tacoway Beach, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Sylvia’s, Peppa’s Jerk Chicken, and Palma. The film shares their journey over the past year navigating through the challenges of running a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was created to celebrate the special roles restaurants play in their neighborhoods, and the reconnection of restaurants with the communities that love them. Through the film, DoorDash, the on-demand delivery company encourages customers to visit their favorite local restaurants in person once again.
“More than a year after NYC’s dining room shutdowns, over 1,000 restaurants have tragically closed for good, with many continuing to struggle even as the city reopens,” said Katie Daire, Senior Director of B2B Marketing at DoorDash. “Restaurants are the lifeblood of their communities, bringing people together around their tables and in their kitchens. The film was created to bring communities closer to the restaurants that have worked tirelessly to serve them over the past year and also remind customers to go dine-in again and visit their local restaurants.”
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Credits
Client DoorDash Agency The Martin Agency Danny Robinson, EVP/chief creative officer; Jerry Hoak, EVP/executive creative director/managing director; Tasha Dean, SVP/head of integrated production; Mike Kelley, creative director; Derek Smith, sr. art director; Stacy-Ann Ellis, sr. copywriter; Ann Parker, executive producer; Anthony Moschini, sr. producer; Coleman Sweeney, content producer; Jaclyn Ruelle, SVP, managing director/ cultural impact & brand communications; Matt Kessler, cultural communications, sr. executive; Kenia Najera, cultural impact specialist; Blake Smoral, strategist; Sean Choi, sr. strategist. Production Easy Mondays Kristian Mercado, director; Asori Soto, Chuy Hernandez, exec producers; Justin Gilley, line producer; Matt Chavez, DP; Tom Busa, COVID compliance manager. Editorial Lindsey Nadolski, Nick Pezzillo, editors; Susie Smith, Max Sterling, Chris Wronka, assistant editors. Color Company 3 Stefan Sonnenfeld, colorist; Blake Rice, producer; Ashley McKim, VP, exec producer; Soraia Callison, head of production. Finish Method Studios Heather Keister, Flame artist; Alexandra Lotti, assistant; Kacy Donaldson, VFX producer. Audio Pickle Music Jacinto Gonzalez, audio engineer; Lupita Alvarez, producer. Music Halo Music and Sound Peter Gannon, owner, creative director, music supervisor; Molly Salas, music supervisor
Fresh off Lay’s 2025 beloved Super Bowl spot, “The Little Farmer,” and a global brand refresh, comes a brand-new commercial airing in the first half of the big game on Feb. 8.
Titled “Last Harvest,” the new emotionally driven ad follows a father-daughter potato farming duo as they pass down generations of potato harvesting knowledge, showcasing a true legacy in the agriculture community. Academy Award winner (Jojo Rabbit) Taika Waititi directed “Last Harvest” via production house Hungry Man for agencies Highdive and Frito-Lay in-house shop D3. Waititi brought his signature storytelling style to this year’s Lay’s ad, just as he did with “The Little Farmer.”
Set against a moving rendition of “Somewhere Only We Know” (originally recorded by English rock band Keane), “Last Harvest” weaves through heartfelt flashbacks, shining a light on the family-owned farms behind many of Lay’s potato chips.
“Last Harvest” was inspired by Neumiller Farms in Illinois, a family farm that Lay’s parent PepsiCo has worked with for decades. It’s a third-generation potato and vegetable farm now run by father and daughter team Tom Neumiller and Katie Floming, who grow 3,500 acres of potatoes annually. Their farm plays a vital role in the Lay’s story, with Tom now guiding Katie as she prepares to lead the farm’s next chapter.
