Films produced for online, social, and point-of-sale distribution have evolved far beyond TV advertising’s second-class siblings into a marketer’s most flexible weapon for telling more complex and emotional brand stories.

Although completely different in terms of tone, technique, and messaging, these eight films take full advantage of the genre’s freedom to the line between art and marketing.

All these films were published in The Stash Permanent Collection during 2021 and are listed here in chronological order by the date of publication.
 
 
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SK-II “VS MACHINES”
STASH 148

Imaginary Forces CD Alan Williams: “Our main creative challenge was to take the all-too-common reality of toxic expectations faced by all women and repackage it in a way that made the viewer see it with new eyes and truly feel it.

“Through the poetic language of humans-turned-robots and a towering kaiju, I feel our team did just that. I couldn’t be more excited to share this with the world.”
 
 
 

ADIDAS STAN SMITH MYLO “MADE WITH NATURE”
STASH 148

Combining drone photography, CG, and live-action from secret research labs, FIELD in London introduces the Stan Smith MYLO™ – a concept shoe made from mushrooms and part of adidas’ commitment “to create a more sustainable world”.
 
 
 

APPLIED MATERIALS “WE WORK HERE”
STASH 147

Miguel Lee, creative director, at Midnight Sherpa in Los Angeles: “Materials engineering is a fascinating process that takes place at an atomic scale in what is known as the nanosphere – one billionth of a meter

“We were tasked to create a short film, which would visualize this incredible unseen world in 3D, working closely with the brilliant minds at Applied Materials to ensure scientific verity in the tiniest of details.”
 
 
 

ADIDAS FOOTBALL | MANCHESTER UNITED 2021/22 AWAY KIT
STASH 149

Tania Jones, EP at Golden Wolf in London: “The brief was to create a film that showcases the new 2021 away jersey while reflecting on how the youth of Manchester United have been a cornerstone in driving the team forward.

“We took an earnest and poetic look at Mancunian culture, championing some of Manchester United’s most famous sons and daughters before they became who they were always destined to be.”
 
 
 

“DESIGNER DRAM”
STASH 149

Designer/director Cian McKenna in Westport, Ireland: “This piece aimed to show the viewer the ability to truly customize a single bottle of Designer Dram whiskey to their own exact and detailed specifications – highlighting the myriad of different flavor combinations available along with the ability to customize the label and create something truly unique.”
 
 
 

AKER “THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST JOB”
STASH 150

Chuck Norris, the action star who launched 1,000 memes, retires from saving the environment in this cracking adventure directed by Espen Sandberg (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) thru Oslo prodco Motion Blur for Norwegian energy giant Aker.
 
 
 

GROSS BREWING “BLUE DOG”
STASH 150

Guido Lambertini, CD/founder at Niceshit in Barcelona: “This film started as a self-initiated project and grew into a collaboration with Basque Country brewery Gross.

“A nice and friendly exchange where we gave them this short film and they put out a limited edition of our own signature IPA. (We got tons of beer in return as well!)”
 
 
 

PAPYRUS UK “SINKING FEELING”
STASH 150

For their latest in-house short, the crew at Blue Zoo in London leverage the power of their animation and narrative talents to bolster the urgent message of suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS UK.

From Blue Zoo: “Launched on World Suicide Prevention Day 2021, Sinking Feeling explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the importance of peer support – it tackles the heartbreaking reality that many children and young people are suffering in silence without the vital help and support they need.”