Chick-fil-A’s new holiday film sparks hope and love

Chick-fil-A launches the return of its annual holiday campaign today with a new animated short film to celebrate and encourage viewers with an uplifting message of hope. 

In the film created by McCann, the main character of Chick-fil-A’s 2019 animated holiday film, Sam, returns to help restore the missing spark in her town. With a little help from a new friend, she discovers she can be a source of hope and inspiration and light the way for her community.

The driving message of the animated film and campaign is that we can all make a difference in the lives of those around us by offering encouragement to each other. Watch below:


ALSO READ: John Lewis animated holiday film is magical


“2020 has been a tough year for a lot of people and has brought challenges and heartaches we never could have anticipated,” said Ashley Callahan, Chick-fil-A senior marketing director.

She adds, ”But it’s also been a year where many have shined brightly, extending acts of kindness and generosity—many of which we’ve experienced firsthand through the actions of our guests, team members and others throughout our communities. Those little acts of kindness give us all hope and are the inspiration for this year’s holiday film and digital experience. We hope those who see the film will be inspired to send simple messages of gratitude and care to friends and family this holiday and spark hope within their own neighbourhoods and communities.”

To help encourage these moments, Chick-fil-A is also inviting people to send a digital note with a custom message of hope, gratitude and kindness to friends and family through the website. There is no cost, and messages will be sent through text or email.

When messages are submitted through the website, an interactive ‘spark’ feature will light the distance traveled from sender to receiver’s location. Each message will illuminate the map, representing the hope shared throughout this holiday and Christmas season.

The new two-minute film launches digitally today on the website and on Thanksgiving Day on NBC. 

CREDITS:

CLIENT: CHICK-FIL-A

  • CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Jon Bridges, EVP
  • SVP, BRAND STRATEGY, ADVERTISING & MEDIA: Joe Saracino
  • SR. DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Ashley Callahan
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: David Rowe
  • SR. PROJECT COORDINATOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Haley Shue
  • SR. PRODUCT LEAD, CUSTOMER TECHNOLOGY & INSIGHTS: Emily Thomson
  • DIRECTOR, BRAND STRATEGY: Sara Storck
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Rich Cutter
  • PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Alok Nath
  • SR. PROJECT SPECIALIST, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Nikki Barnett
  • DESIGN LEAD, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Alston Foster
  • DIRECTOR, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Monique Birkeli
  • PROJECT LEAD, RESTAURANT COMMUNICATIONS: Allison Fortune
  • SR. PROJECT SPECIALIST, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Georgia Gray Wilson
  • DESIGN LEAD, BRAND STRATEGY: Gillian Mauldin
  • SR. TEAM LEADER, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Emily Randall
  • SR. PROJECT COORDINATOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Lynah Stone
  • PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Katie Joiner
  • SR. COORDINATOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Lindsey Harrison
  • SR. LEAD ADVISOR, MARKETING INVESTMENT: Amy Wells
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, MARKETING INVESTMENT & CONSULTING: Tresa Spencer
  • PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, PUBLIC RELATIONS: Chelsea Lee
  • SR. PROJECT LEAD, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Arlenis Almonte
  • SR. DIRECTOR, MARKETING INVESTMENT & CONSULTING: Dustin Britt
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, MARKETING INVESTMENT & CONSULTING: Ross Grimes
  • SR. COUNSEL, CORPORATE LEGAL: Rachel Geist
  • DIRECTOR, CORPORATE LEGAL: Bill Hightower
  • SR. COUNSEL, CORPORATE LEGAL: Natalie Williams
  • SR. PROJECT LEAD, OPERATOR COMMUNICATIONS: Hannah Cataldo

AGENCY: McCANN

  • PRESIDENT, MCCANN NORTH AMERICA: Devika Bulchandani
  • CO-CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, MCCANN NORTH AMERICA: Sean Bryan and Tom Murphy
  • CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER, MCCANN NORTH AMERICA: Veronica Bertran
  • EVP EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Larry Platt and Danny Rodriguez
  • GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Sherrod Melvin
  • CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Thomas Weingard
  • SVP EXECUTIVE INTEGRATED PRODUCER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Kathy Love
  • SVP EXECUTIVE ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Dina Hovanessian
  • ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Michael Morettoni
  • SVP GROUP STRATEGY DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Julianna Katrancha
  • STRATEGY DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Justin Luk
  • SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Lauren Diller
  • CREATIVES: Andre Bittar and Estefanio Holtz
  • JUNIOR COPYWRITER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Cali McGovern
  • JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Ralph Vibar and Jillian Nedd
  • SVP EXECUTIVE MUSIC PRODUCER, INTEGRATED PRODUCTION, MCCANN NEW YORK: Eric Johnson
  • INTEGRATED MUSIC PRODUCER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Dan Gross
  • VP STRATEGY DIRECTOR, SOCIAL, MCCANN NEW YORK: Rachel Aronson
  • COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Whitney Bryan
  • ASSISTANT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, MCCANN NEW YORK: Julia Simons

PRODUCTION: PSYOP

  • DIRECTOR, PSYOP: Marie Hyon
  • EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, PSYOP: Adina Sales and Eve Strickman
  • PRODUCER, PSYOP: Amy Fahl and Andrew Rindlaub
  • LEAD TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, PSYOP: Briana Franceschini
  • LEAD 3D ANIMATOR, PSYOP: Pat Porter
  • LEAD RIGGER, PSYOP: Zed Bennett
  • 2D LEAD, PSYOP: Matthias Bäuerle

SOUND: DECIBEL STUDIOS

  • SOUND DESIGN & SOUND ENGINEER, DECIBEL: Tom Goldblatt
  • SENIOR PRODUCER, DECIBEL: Adam Zeitlen
DIGITAL DESIGN: AKQA
  • ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Daniel Averso
  • ACCOUNT DIRECTOR: Tanya Oh
  • STRATEGY DIRECTOR: Sophie Dick
  • PROGRAM MANAGER: Corey Gragg
  • PRODUCT MANAGER: Ashley Hardage
  • TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Scott Cullum
  • GROUP TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR: Wesley Donaldson

SOURCE: McCann

Chick-fil-A launches the return of its annual holiday campaign today with a new animated short film to celebrate and encourage viewers with an uplifting message of hope. 

In the film created by McCann, the main character of Chick-fil-A’s 2019 animated holiday film, Sam, returns to help restore the missing spark in her town. With a little help from a new friend, she discovers she can be a source of hope and inspiration and light the way for her community.

The driving message of the animated film and campaign is that we can all make a difference in the lives of those around us by offering encouragement to each other. Watch below:


ALSO READ: John Lewis animated holiday film is magical


“2020 has been a tough year for a lot of people and has brought challenges and heartaches we never could have anticipated,” said Ashley Callahan, Chick-fil-A senior marketing director.

She adds, ”But it’s also been a year where many have shined brightly, extending acts of kindness and generosity—many of which we’ve experienced firsthand through the actions of our guests, team members and others throughout our communities. Those little acts of kindness give us all hope and are the inspiration for this year’s holiday film and digital experience. We hope those who see the film will be inspired to send simple messages of gratitude and care to friends and family this holiday and spark hope within their own neighbourhoods and communities.”

To help encourage these moments, Chick-fil-A is also inviting people to send a digital note with a custom message of hope, gratitude and kindness to friends and family through the website. There is no cost, and messages will be sent through text or email.

When messages are submitted through the website, an interactive ‘spark’ feature will light the distance traveled from sender to receiver’s location. Each message will illuminate the map, representing the hope shared throughout this holiday and Christmas season.

The new two-minute film launches digitally today on the website and on Thanksgiving Day on NBC. 

CREDITS:

CLIENT: CHICK-FIL-A

  • CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Jon Bridges, EVP
  • SVP, BRAND STRATEGY, ADVERTISING & MEDIA: Joe Saracino
  • SR. DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Ashley Callahan
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: David Rowe
  • SR. PROJECT COORDINATOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Haley Shue
  • SR. PRODUCT LEAD, CUSTOMER TECHNOLOGY & INSIGHTS: Emily Thomson
  • DIRECTOR, BRAND STRATEGY: Sara Storck
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Rich Cutter
  • PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Alok Nath
  • SR. PROJECT SPECIALIST, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Nikki Barnett
  • DESIGN LEAD, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Alston Foster
  • DIRECTOR, IN-HOUSE CREATIVE AGENCY: Monique Birkeli
  • PROJECT LEAD, RESTAURANT COMMUNICATIONS: Allison Fortune
  • SR. PROJECT SPECIALIST, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Georgia Gray Wilson
  • DESIGN LEAD, BRAND STRATEGY: Gillian Mauldin
  • SR. TEAM LEADER, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Emily Randall
  • SR. PROJECT COORDINATOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Lynah Stone
  • PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Katie Joiner
  • SR. COORDINATOR, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Lindsey Harrison
  • SR. LEAD ADVISOR, MARKETING INVESTMENT: Amy Wells
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, MARKETING INVESTMENT & CONSULTING: Tresa Spencer
  • PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, PUBLIC RELATIONS: Chelsea Lee
  • SR. PROJECT LEAD, INTEGRATED CREATIVE: Arlenis Almonte
  • SR. DIRECTOR, MARKETING INVESTMENT & CONSULTING: Dustin Britt
  • SR. PRINCIPAL TEAM LEADER, MARKETING INVESTMENT & CONSULTING: Ross Grimes
  • SR. COUNSEL, CORPORATE LEGAL: Rachel Geist
  • DIRECTOR, CORPORATE LEGAL: Bill Hightower
  • SR. COUNSEL, CORPORATE LEGAL: Natalie Williams
  • SR. PROJECT LEAD, OPERATOR COMMUNICATIONS: Hannah Cataldo

AGENCY: McCANN

  • PRESIDENT, MCCANN NORTH AMERICA: Devika Bulchandani
  • CO-CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, MCCANN NORTH AMERICA: Sean Bryan and Tom Murphy
  • CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER, MCCANN NORTH AMERICA: Veronica Bertran
  • EVP EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Larry Platt and Danny Rodriguez
  • GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Sherrod Melvin
  • CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Thomas Weingard
  • SVP EXECUTIVE INTEGRATED PRODUCER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Kathy Love
  • SVP EXECUTIVE ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Dina Hovanessian
  • ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Michael Morettoni
  • SVP GROUP STRATEGY DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Julianna Katrancha
  • STRATEGY DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Justin Luk
  • SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Lauren Diller
  • CREATIVES: Andre Bittar and Estefanio Holtz
  • JUNIOR COPYWRITER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Cali McGovern
  • JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Ralph Vibar and Jillian Nedd
  • SVP EXECUTIVE MUSIC PRODUCER, INTEGRATED PRODUCTION, MCCANN NEW YORK: Eric Johnson
  • INTEGRATED MUSIC PRODUCER, MCCANN NEW YORK: Dan Gross
  • VP STRATEGY DIRECTOR, SOCIAL, MCCANN NEW YORK: Rachel Aronson
  • COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING DIRECTOR, MCCANN NEW YORK: Whitney Bryan
  • ASSISTANT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, MCCANN NEW YORK: Julia Simons

PRODUCTION: PSYOP

  • DIRECTOR, PSYOP: Marie Hyon
  • EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, PSYOP: Adina Sales and Eve Strickman
  • PRODUCER, PSYOP: Amy Fahl and Andrew Rindlaub
  • LEAD TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, PSYOP: Briana Franceschini
  • LEAD 3D ANIMATOR, PSYOP: Pat Porter
  • LEAD RIGGER, PSYOP: Zed Bennett
  • 2D LEAD, PSYOP: Matthias Bäuerle

SOUND: DECIBEL STUDIOS

  • SOUND DESIGN & SOUND ENGINEER, DECIBEL: Tom Goldblatt
  • SENIOR PRODUCER, DECIBEL: Adam Zeitlen
DIGITAL DESIGN: AKQA
  • ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Daniel Averso
  • ACCOUNT DIRECTOR: Tanya Oh
  • STRATEGY DIRECTOR: Sophie Dick
  • PROGRAM MANAGER: Corey Gragg
  • PRODUCT MANAGER: Ashley Hardage
  • TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Scott Cullum
  • GROUP TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR: Wesley Donaldson

SOURCE: McCann