As the brand that exists to entertain the human race, MGM Resorts is compelled to remind the world that a return to normal just won’t cut it – this is time for something way beyond normal.
The past year and a half has been a difficult and trying time, to say the very least. The pandemic and its effects altered how we live, limited how we interact with one another, and diminished what we expect from our day-to-day experience.
Now, as case numbers fall and vaccinations increase, return to life as we know it is on the horizon. But it would be a mistake to look forward to simply returning to normal.
Like massive live shows, iconic performances, unforgettable culinary delights, other-worldly settings, and more luxury and glamour and romance and fun and amazement than can be found anywhere else on the planet. As far as MGM is concerned, it’s time everyone has the time of their lives again.
To bring this idea to life, actor-comedian Nichole Sakura (Superstore, Shameless) becomes part spokesperson, part party planner, leading our audience on a whirlwind tour of MGM Las Vegas properties, in which each scene is packed with characters, iconography, and not-so-subtle nods to the amazing diversity of experiences that await.
In a :30 spot and multiple shorter social films for MBM, directed by brother-sister team The Coles, Nichole reminds us that there’s a place and time for everything – that place being MGM Resort’s Las Vegas properties; that time is now; and that everything being more than we ever expected – think Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, David Copperfield, Blue Man Group, chef Roy Choi, massive floral sculptures, and Cirque du Soleil performers, and then some. Stunning outdoor and social assets also serve to remind our audience that whatever they love to do most, it’s time to do that again, here at MGM Resorts Las Vegas. Watch below:
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Bellagio “This is the Life”
If there has ever been a Las Vegas property that needs no introduction, it is the iconic Bellagio. This is the setting for Ocean’s 11, home of the world-famous fountains, crown jewel of the Las Vegas Strip. And that’s just scratching the surface.
Yet for many visitors to Las Vegas, scratching the surface of Bellagio has been enough lately. A photo in front of the fountains or a walk beneath the Chihuly sculpture in the lobby and into the Conservatory (they think) might be sufficient to get a feel for the place.
Well, we beg to differ. In fact, it’s only by staying at Bellagio, by discovering the magic in its smallest moments and its grandest gestures, and by immersing oneself in its unique lifestyle that one can truly appreciate its effect. A stay at Bellagio is an escape not just from home, but from the Strip, from Las Vegas, from the realities and trivialities of everyday life.
There are moments and getaways that remind us of who we are, of what’s most important, of just how beautiful life can be; moments when we say to ourselves or to those with us, “This is the life.” These moments and these places are rare, but if they’re to be found in Las Vegas, it’s here at Bellagio.
Watch the new Bellagio work below:
This is the feeling the new Bellagio brand campaign sets out to capture. In films directed by brother-sister team The Coles, we witness a magical and joyful moment in which a character finds the Bellagio Fountains are mirroring his every move; and we watch as an older couple envisions themselves as young lovers again as they waltz romantically through the grounds of the property.
Still assets photographed by Alex Cayley capture those elevated, other-worldly moments when guests may find themselves thinking the campaign line: This is the Life.
The campaigns will run on TV (Hulu, Roku, etc.) online video, social, OOH, print.
CREDITS:
CLIENT: MGM Resorts
AGENCY: McCann New York:
- Tom Murphy – McCann North America Co-Chief Creative Officer
- Sean Bryan – McCann North America Co-Chief Creative Officer
- Caprice Yu – EVP, Executive Creative Director
- Josh DiMarcantonio – Executive Creative Director
- Jordan Kramer – SVP, Group Creative Director
- Leopold Billard – SVP, Group Creative Director
- Nathy Aviram – Chief Production Officer
- Dave Herman – SVP, Executive Producer
- Eric Johnson “DJ Bunny Ears” – SVP Executive Music Producer
- Danielle Korn – Head of Celebrity Talent
- Kimberly Kress – SVP Director Talent Partnerships
- Wilmien Blake – SVP Director of Business Affairs
- David Halberstadt – Business Affairs Manager
- Jamie Jou – Business Manager Music
- Scot Beck – EVP, Executive Account Director
- Nancy Tynan – SVP, Group Account Director
- Tessa Cosenza – VP Account Director
- Patrick Connolly – Account Director
- Shannon Stagliano – Assistant Account Executive
- Emily Portnoy – EVP, Head of Brand Strategy
- Amadeo Plaza – VP, Strategy Director
- Justin Luk – VP, Strategy Director
- Whitney Bryan – Director, Communications Strategy
- Grace Freeman – Associate Strategy Director
- Macarena Marcos – Strategist
- Connor Byrne – Senior Project Manager
PRODUCTION COMPANY: Sanctuary
- Director: The Coles: Sophie & Walker Cole
- Executive Producer: Kristen Bedard-Johnson
- Founder/Executive Producer: Preston lee
- Head of Production: Adam Litt
- Line Producer: Francesca Lentini
- First Assistant Director: Chad Antonelli
- Director of Photography: Daniel Bombell
- Production Designer: Tatiana Van Sauter
- Wardrobe: Heather Allison
EDIT: NO6
- Editor – James Duffy
- Assistant Editor – Ashley Cisneros
- Post Producer – Martino Baltiero
- Executive Producer – Corina Dennison
- Flame Artist – John Shea
- Finishing Producer: Mark Reyes
MUSIC: Human
- Creative Lead: Morgan Visconti
- EP: James Dean Wells
- Composers/Arrangers: Gordon Minette, Matthew O’Malley, Morgan Visconti, Thomas Keery, Sloan Alexander
AUDIO POST: Post Human
- Chief Engineer/Sound Design: Sloan Alexander
- Assistant Engineer: Robert Suchecki
Screaming Penguin (MGM Relaunch only) – Audio
Audio Engineer: Nicole Pettigrew & Rob Fieleck
COLOR: Company 3
- Colorist: Jenny Montgomery
- Color Producer: Alexandra Lubrano
Bellagio Photography
Photographer: Alex Cayley
- Rep: Derek Marks, Art Department
- Line Producer: Simone Silverman
RETOUCHER: Feather Creative
