Christopher Michaels

Led production of a culturally rich Super Bowl campaign that combined authentic storytelling with expansive reach, significantly boosting brand engagement on one of the world’s biggest stages.

The "Translator" ad, starring Keegan Michael Key and Big Sean, received widespread recognition and acclaim. It was ranked 6th in AdAge's Super Bowl ad rankings, first among financial services ads on YouTube AdBlitz, and received recognition as one of the best commercials of Super Bowl LII by prominent publications including USA Today, Forbes, and INC Magazine. The ad generated 114+ million views on game day.

Director: Jonathan Krisel
Production Company: Caviar
Filmed in New York

Drove a bold brand repositioning that redefined Afterpay’s voice in the Australian market and deepened cultural resonance with local consumers.

The “Own It” brand campaign was developed to reposition Afterpay as a smart, empowering alternative to traditional credit. Created in partnership with 72andSunny, the campaign featured a striking brand film that celebrated a new generation of financially savvy Australians.

With a focus on confident, informed consumer behaviour, the campaign aimed to challenge outdated perceptions of Buy Now, Pay Later services. It launched across TV, digital platforms, and out-of-home media, reaching audiences nationwide and helping to redefine Afterpay’s place in the Australian market.

Agency: 72andSunny
Director: Matilda Finn 
Production Company:  Rabbit
Post/VFX: Alt.vfx
Filmed in Bulgaria

Produced a Cannes Lion-winning global campaign that elevated the franchise through immersive storytelling and cinematic world-building.

Activision's Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare launched with a unique experience - for the first time, a key character from the game was able to deliver a story through a Facebook Messenger bot. Players were able to engage with the bot and unlock a sneak peek at the worldwide reveal trailer as their reward.

Over the course of 72 hours, millions of fans from around the world participated, making it Call of Duty's biggest reveal ever.

Computer Software Company: Pullstring Inc. (founded as ToyTalk)
Production Company: Infinity Ward
VFX: Treyarch
Made in San Francisco

AWARDS:

🏆 Winner - Gold, Cannes Lions 2017, Cyber category for Innovative Use of Social and Community

🏆 Winner - Gold, Art Directors Club, Digital Experiences - Guerrilla/Stunts

🏆 Winner - The Shorty Awards, Best use of an emerging platform

🥈Winner - Silver, The Shorty Awards, Best use of Gamification

🥉Winner - Bronze, Art Directors Club, Interactive – Games for Web or Social Media

🥉Winner - Bronze, New York Festivals, Cyber - Interactive Applications/Community Apps

Produced an integrated campaign that empowered a global workforce and repositioned Citrix as a catalyst for ambition and transformation.

The ‘You’re Made for Bigger Things’ campaign brings to life powerful Citrix stories of unlocked human potential and highlights that when limits are taken off people, they can achieve big things.

The creative program features a :60 second anthem film alongside a robust series of print, broadcast and animated digital experiences.

Director: Judith Veenendal
Production Company: Division 7
Filmed in Amsterdam

Animation: Moving Picture Company

Managed a complex healthcare tech launch that brought Google’s innovation narrative to life through clear, human-centered storytelling.

Care Studio, a product of Google Health, aims to improve patient care by freeing up clinicians' time. It is a searchable software solution that integrates records within a healthcare system, providing clinicians with a comprehensive view of each patient's information.

Director: Jakob Strom
Production Company: Washington Square Films
Filmed in Miami

Delivered a cutting-edge Web3 campaign merging blockchain innovation with real-time sports engagement to create a first-of-its-kind fan experience.

When your shoot with Max Verstappen and the 2021 World Champion F1 RedBull Racing team gets canceled because both of the cars crashed in a race the previous week, you scramble, adapt; leverage previously shot footage from Redbull Racing; and turn it into something incredible with the help of VFX experts at MPC.

Tasked with the technical challenge of building a racetrack environment with competing vehicles at hyperspeed for Tezos – all in effort to showcase the self-upgrading features of the brand’s blockchain offering by using futuristic and photographic VFX elements throughout the spot.

The Making of Tezos

VFX: MPC Advertising, The Mill
Director: Alvin Cruz
Made in New York

🥈Winner - Silver, The Telly Awards 2022, Branded Content, Sound Design (Sound Design: Hobo Audio Company)

Led the development of data-driven creative strategies that connected diverse homebuyers with personalized content experiences at scale.

Every homebuyer has unique needs. Realtor.com wanted to prove to first-time homebuyers that they offer the most personalized home search experience.

What better way to show this than with a group of very unique characters with the most specific home buying needs.

Director: Harold Einstein
Production Company: Dummy Films.
Filmed in Los Angeles

Showcased luxury craftsmanship and heritage through a cinematic campaign blending precision engineering with modern brand storytelling.

Ferrari and Hublot share a passion for perfection, making them a perfect match for a revolutionary collaboration. To mark Ferrari's 70th anniversary, the two houses have combined their expertise to create a timepiece unlike any other.

We created a captivating :60 film to showcase this historic partnership, highlighting the shared values of precision engineering, design innovation, and elegance in the pursuit of perfection.

Directors: Mateus de Paula Santos, Joao Tenório and André Holzmeister
VFX: LOBO
Sound Design: Hobo Audio Company
Filmed in Modena

🥈Winner - Silver, The Telly Awards 2018, Branded Content, Sound Design (Sound Design: Hobo Audio Company)

Zelle is a top-of-the-line peer-to-peer payment platform that revolutionizes payments made between individuals. With its creation by 7 major banks, it streamlines everyday transactions like paying rent, splitting checks, and sending gifts.

With Zelle, funds can be transferred from one account to another in mere minutes. Our campaign highlighted the inner thoughts one might have when receiving an unwanted gift, and showcased how Zelle offers a convenient solution for these situations.

Director: Fatal Farm
Production Company: Gifted Youth
Filmed in Los Angeles

Shipt sets the bar for delivery services. Their shoppers go the extra mile to ensure customers receive exactly what they need. To showcase their dedication, we created 10, 15-second films highlighting their exceptional service. Shipt has been acquired by Target for same-day delivery and partners with 89 retail stores, including CVS and Petco.

Director: Guy Shelmerdine
Production Company: Smuggler
Filmed in Los Angeles