New York/Portland, OR-based Search Party Music teams up with composer Mark Mothersbaugh and his company Mutato Muzika, LA to urge holiday shoppers to gift hope in a new claymation :60, “Stuff,” for the American Red Cross out of BBDO, NY. The PSA, with Ted Danson lending his voice, features a stark-white animated world and one beleaguered holiday shopper learning to trade material ‘stuff’ for hope, compassion and help.
“Stuff” opens on a pallid urban world inhibited by a man made of white clay. The man gathers gifts in a frenzy as Danson’s voiceover declares, “The holidays are here. Start making lists. Start shopping for stuff. Bring the stuff home. Wrap the stuff. Wonder if it’s the right stuff. Get insecure about the stuff. Shop for more stuff. Put stuff in boxes. Put stuff in closets. Put stuff in drawers. Ship stuff. Mail stuff. Give stuff. Get stuff.” Each description matches our pliable hero’s actions. The voiceover continues, “Is it the stuff we want? Is it the stuff we need? Is it the stuff that matters? This year, let’s take a break from all of this stuff and give something that means something.” Presents magically convert to the words, “hope,” “compassion” and “help.” The voiceover concludes, “Give the gift of hope, help and compassion to someone who needs it most. Whoever they are. Visit RedCross.org and make a donation in the name of the people on your list this year.” The American Red Cross logo and web address close out the PSA.
The campaign also includes the PSA “Resolutions,” which will air after Christmas.
About Search Party
Search Party is a bicoastal music hub with a full complement of scoring capabilities, from top-notch music supervision for entertainment and spots to custom tracks for any media. Rooted in a passion for great music, Search Party’s seasoned EPs and music supervisors make it effortless to incorporate the world’s best cinematic composers and recording artists into your branded project. Vast resources and proven relationships make Search Party uniquely qualified to identify the perfect artist for your filmed moment.
Credits:
Client: The American Red Cross
Title: “Stuff” :30/:60
Airdate: Currently airing
Agency: BBDO, NY
Chief Creative Officer: David Lubars
Group Creative Directors: Linda Honan
Copywriter: Nick Sonderup
Art Director: Kim Haxton
Sr. Producer: Jesse Brihn
Production Company: Elastic, NY
Director: Andy Hall
CG Lead: Kirk Shintani
3D Aritst: Kirk Shintani, Paulo de Almada, Erin Clarke, Adam Carter, Katie Yoon
3D Animators: Frantz Vidal, Matt Ornstein, Pablo Smith, Lindsey Butterworth
Compositor: Shahana Khan
Designer: Henry De Leon
EP: Jennifer Sofio Hall
Producer: Heather Johann
Music Company: Search Party, Portland/NY; Mutato Muzika, LA
Composer: Mark Mothersbaugh
Producer: Sara Matarazzo, Anna Lascurain
Sound Design/Mixing Company: POP Sound, Bicoastal
Mixer: Mitch Dorf, Nick Bozzone
EP: Susie Boyajan
Producer: Erin Reilly
V.O. Talent: Ted Danson