The newest campaign from Expedia, “Never Give Up On Going,” illuminates how the popular travel service helps would-be voyagers overcome real-life barriers to embark on emotional journeys to discover meaningful travel experiences.
Known for her ability to evoke authentic, everyday intimacy with her performers while capturing it all with dynamic camera work, Love Song director Justyna Obasi delivers the touching film “Wisdom & Obi” as part of this series.
Following a father and young son, the piece match-cuts the child’s hands running over a common beige carpet as he imagines the feeling of sand on the sunny beaches of Jamaica, his father’s childhood home. Inspired to show his son the place where he grew up, the boy’s father utilizes Expedia to make this goal a reality. The spot ends with the family in Jamaica creating new memories, experiencing what, before that moment, had only been a dream. Watch below:
REELated:
The film strikes a personal note for Justyna: “It took me back almost thirty years ago when my mother decided to finally show me Nigeria. This is me; this is a familiar feeling.” Leading with empathy, the camera follows the characters as they grow, move through the story, and reveal more about themselves. Obasi speaks to the need for “Wisdom & Obi” to unfold organically, adding. “If we are not authentic enough, then we risk a cliché. These characters are not clichés.” Featuring believable characters and quotidian, humble design, Obasi’s naturalistic casting and production design choices drive home the emotional truth of the ad with ease.
Kelly Bayett, Love Song’s Co-Founder, says of “Wisdom & Obi”: “Justyna can do just about anything, but what I love most about her work is how she can distill an everyday feeling into such powerful images. Her work is incredibly immersive and entrancing; what she’s done with Expedia is a prime example of what she does best. We’re all very proud of this film.”
Emmy-nominated director Justyna Obasi studied as a visual artist before training to direct actors at the renowned National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, UK. She has directed commercials for Adidas, Google, and Meta, as well as many music videos and narrative films.
CREDITS:
CLIENT: EXPEDIA GROUP
- Hector Muelas – SVP Global Creative
- Michele Rousseau – SVP Global Brands
- Kevin Tenglin – Executive Creative Director
- Luke Harris – Executive Creative Director
- Michael McCommon – Creative Director
- Bruno Barbieri – Associate Creative Director
- Diogo de Souza Valim – Associate Creative Director
- Chandreyi Davis – VP Global Brand Marketing
- Carey Malloy – Sr. Director Global Brand Marketing
- Jessica Eichner – Director Global Brand Marketing
- Fernando Botelho – Sr. Manager Global Brand Marketing
- Perrin Rausch – Head of Integrated Production
- Lindsey Wood – Executive Producer
- Kara Fromhart – Sr. Producer
- Lauren Bautista– Associate Producer
- Jess Watts – Brand Planning Director
- Iman Forde – Sr. Manager Creative Project Management
- Sheena Waller – Director of Business Affairs
- Grace Gambin – Executive Business Affairs Manager
- Daniel Gerena – Senior Business Affairs Manager
PRODUCTION COMPANY: LOVE SONG
- Justyna Obasi – Director
- Kelly Bayett – Managing Partner/EP
- Daniel Wolfe – Partner/EP
- Deannie O’Neil – Executive Producer
- Nicole Powell – Producer
EDIT: EXILE EDIT
Tub // Sonia + Bill
- Shane Reid – Editor
- Jonathan Rogers – Assistant Editor
- Michael Miller – Head of Production
- Jennifer Locke – Executive Producer
- CL Kumpata – Managing Partner
- Ashley Bauchman, Dylan Majerus – Producer
Sisters // Side Hustle
- Nate Gross – Editor
- Jonathan Rogers – Assistant Editor
- Michael Miller – Head of Production
- Jennifer Locke – Executive Producer
- CL Kumpata – Managing Partner
- Dylan Majerus – Producer
SOUND DESIGN: BARKING OWL
- Kelly Bayett – Creative Director / Co-Founder
- Gus Koven – Sound Designer
- AJ Murillo – Mixer
- Beau Manning – Assistant Mixer
- KC Dossett – Producer
POST: TRAFIK
Color
- Mark Gethin – Colorist
- Nate Seymour – Assistant Colorist
- Greer Bastiche – Color Producer
- Megan Lang Bice – Color EP
Finish
- Benji Davidson – VFX Supervisor/Sr. Flame Artist
- Jacob Goldberg, Markis Lazarre – Flame Artists
- Charlotte Preuss – Finish Producer
- Karena Ajamian – Finish EP
