Twofifteenmccann indulges in some delicious meta humor with four fun ads touting Hulu's ad-free option, announced a couple weeks back and priced at $11.99 a month.
Three of the commercials are specifically about commercials—or more accurately, Hulu's potential lack thereof. Each derives an absurdist and oddly apocalyptic vibe from an urban wasteland setting, complete with elevated trains clacking by overhead.
First, we meet a commercial director who turns his camera on the viewer in a bid to break through the fourth (or maybe fifth or sixth?) wall:
Next, we get a "jingle-free jingle" that's off-key and pitch-perfect at the same time:
Finally, a fireside commercial for Hulu's ad-free service that doesn't go by the book:
There's also a fourth spot, with a different vibe. Now, most folks won't shed any tears for lost commercials. Yet there's not a dry eye in the house as the binge-watcher in "Weepy" turns on the waterworks:
Overall, this cerebral yet silly brand communications really delivers. The surrealist trappings aren't just for show. They draw viewers in, effectively reinforce the ad-free message and don't overstay their welcome.
The ultimate irony: If more commercials were this clever and entertaining, maybe Hulu wouldn't need a no-commercial policy.
CREDITS
Client: Hulu
Spots: "Fireside" :15, "Director" :15, "Jingle" :15
Agency: twofifteenmccann
Chief Creative Officer: Scott Duchon
Art Director: Steve Couture
Copywriter: Kyle Davis
Director of Integrated Production: Alex Spahr
Senior Producer: Kacey Hart
Business Affairs: Mary Beth Barney
Managing Director: Kelly Johnson
Group Account Director: Charlie Byron
Account Director: Julie Sinclair
Account Supervisor: Bhumieka Patel
Director of Strategy: Gabrielle Tenaglia
Production Company: Park Pictures
Director: Nathan Price
Line Producer: Gabrielle Yuro
Executive Producer: Scott Howard
Executive Producer: Jackie Kelman Bisbee
Head of Production: Anne Bobroff
Editorial: Rock, Paper, Scissors
Editor: Carlos Arias
Editor: Christjan Jordan
Assistant Editor: Pieter Viljoen
Producer: Helena Lee
Executive Producer: Angela Dorian
VFX: Method Studios
EVP, Global Production: Gabby Gourrier
Executive Producer: Stephanie Gilgar
Producer: Pip Malone
VFX Supervisor: Ben Walsh
Coordinator: Julie Osborn
Flame Artist: Mark Renton
Colorist: Siggy Ferstl
Company: Company 3
Mixing: Lime Studios
Sound Design: Rohan Young
