John Hancock Campaign
Motion Theory, Venice, California, 2008
Description
The “Cursor” campaign starts with the premise that, in a world of email, text-messaging and cell phones, the most important financial conversations don’t always take place face-to-face. In this multi-spot campaign created with Hill Holiday and Motion Theory directors Mathew Cullen and Mark Kudsi, nuanced character performances are combined with a precise choreography of typography, setting and sound design. The spots stir subtle and genuine emotional moments simply with a blinking cursor—the digital equivalent of stunned silence, and a gut-wrenching realization that some part of one’s financial picture is seriously deficient. With cinematography by Claudio Miranda, the single-scene spots prompt a unique and elegant viewing experience, compelling viewers to read every line. The tension builds through the end, maximizing the impact of the open question represented by the iconic blinking cursor.
Juror Notes
An elegant treatment of a mundane communication medium. The familiarity of the settings and the mode of communication set you up nicely for a rather sobering message.
Credits
- Design firm
- Motion Theory
- Creative directors
- Doug Gould, Elvind Ueland
- Art directors
- Doug Gould (HH), Mark Kudsi (MTH)
- Directors
- Mathew Cullen, Mark Kudsi
- Designers
- Kaan Atilla, Leanne Dare, Christian De Castro, Jesus de Francisco, John Fan, Bradley Munkowitz, Jesse Sorin, Angela Zhu
- Producers
- Patrick Nugent (MTH), Brad Powell (HH)
- Editor
- Jason Webb
- Director of photography
- Claudio Miranda
- Copywriter
- Elvind Ueland
- Client
- John Hancock