Venice, CA-based Backyard director Rob Pritts captures Internet sensation Grumpy Cat’s version of a ‘smile’ in the comical :30 “Grumpy Cat” for Honey Nut Cheerios out of Saatchi & Saatchi, NY. The spot features the cheery Honey Nut Cheerios bee Buzz trying his best to make the famously grumpy feline grin—it’s a funny failure. Pritts’ signature comedic timing, usually showcased through human performers, is humorously applied here with Buzz and Grumpy in TV show-like fashion.
“Grumpy Cat” opens on Buzz flying into a suburban home where Grumpy Cat lounges in his typically irritated state. Buzz says “Oh, hey there!” and offers some Cheerios, a gesture only met with the cat’s grouchy countenance. “Not even a smile?” asks Buzz. “I AM SMILING,” says Grumpy Cat via subtitle. Buzz laughs and quips, “Huh, maybe somebody should tell your face… oh, that IS your face!” Buzz rushes past a box of Honey Nut Cheerios, closing out the spot.
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Credits
Client: Honey Nut Cheerios
Title: “Grumpy Cat,” :30
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi, NY
Executive Creative Director: Peter Smith
Creative Director: Johnnie Ingram
Creative Director: Chris Skurat
Copy Writer: Adam Kline
Art Director: Justin Roth
Executive Producer: Gregory Hall
VP. Director of Business Affairs: Sara Jagielski
Business Manager: Christina Mattson
SVP Management Director: Rodes Ponzer
Account Director: Dave Barone
Account Executive: Carly Wallace
Senior Strategic Planner: Anastasstios Tsitsopoulos
Production Company: Backyard, Venice, CA
President/Partner: Blair Stribley
Managing Director/Partner: Chris Zander
VP/Executive Producer: Kris Mathur
Head of Production: Emily Malito
Director: Rob Pritts
Director of Photography: Florian Stadler
Line Producer: Kevin Sharpton
Editorial: Beast
Editor: Jim Ulbrich
Producer: Valerie Lorio
VFX: Laika/House
President: Lourri Hammack
Line Producer: Karly Chambers
Animation Director: Aaron Sorenson
VFX Supervisor: Rex Carter