Jimmy O. Yang Jokes Around With an Xbox Plushie for the Holidays
A talking plush Series S gaming console in an Xbox commercial? It better be sassy!
Of course it is, as comedian Jimmy O. Yang discovers in a two-minute film from 215 McCann that's all about "Nowstalgia." Directed in surreal sitcom style by Ryan Staake, the spot seeks to evoke fun memories for Gen Z and lure new gamers to Xbox for Fall Guys, Rocket League, Fortnite and so forth.
Yang's superlative sissy-scream around the :10 mark is worth the price of admission. And his "stunt double," who skulks around aimlessly, nearly steals the show.
They work the ad-within-an-ad format for all its worth, with ample jokes and clever touches to please loyal fans and the uninitiated alike. (Those gilded grapes are pure gold!)
This kind of self-aware stuff could've easily gone off the rails—or straight-up sucked from the jump. But it doesn't. In fact, it's pretty great! Yang, of Silicon Valley and Space Force fame, nails the bemused everydude role, generating sublime, silly chemistry with his chatty pliable pal.
Xbox created limited-edition versions of the cushiony console, complete with Series S audio hype messages. They're earmarked for influencers, because celebrity has its privileges.
Elsewhere, the brand doubles down on "Nowstalgia," sans Jimmy or Plushie, in social videos designed to emulate old-school toy commercials:
And photographer Jax Navarro, aka @PlaticAction, crafted content with toys and tiny props that capture the essence of classic games:
@plasticaction 🎥 BTS from my latest Rocket League piece for @xbox! #XboxSeriesS #SimplyNextGen #RocketLeague Huge thanks to @urthlings ♬ original sound - Jax Navarro
@plasticaction 🎥 BTS from my Fall Guys piece in collaboration with @Xbox ! My living room was in chaos for a few weeks but it was well worth it! 😂 #XboxSeriesS #SimplyNextGen #FallGuys ♬ original sound - Jax Navarro
CREDITS
Title: Xbox Series S Nowstalgia Campaign (Game With Me Series S, Fall Guys, Overwatch)
Product: Platform
Brand: Microsoft Xbox
Client: Microsoft
Director, Xbox Integrated Marketing: Josh Munsee
Integrated Marketing Manager, Xbox: Courtney Luk
Senior Global Product Marketing Manager, Xbox Platform Marketing: Bree Adams
Director, Xbox Brand and Marketing: Craig McNary
Senior Director Product Marketing, Xbox: Cindy Walker
Agency: 215 McCann
Chief Creative Officer: Scott Duchon
Creative Director: Brad Meyers
ACD/Art Director: Kyle Johnson
ACD/Copywriter: Zack Johnson
BTS Social Creative Director (Super Digital): Spencer Kupish
Copywriter: Ian Forsyth
Copywriter: Amy Char
Art Director: Maddy Thompson
Director of Integrated Production: Whitney Ferris
Senior Producer: Nina Ulbrich
Director of Business Affairs: Mary Beth Barney
Business Director: Peter Goldstein
Account Director: Sunni York
Assistant Account Executive: Akshaya Sridharan
Executive Strategy Director: Sam Chotiner
Strategy Director: Ryan Riley
Senior Strategist: Caitlin O'Malley
Production Company: Pomp & Clout
Director: Ryan Staake
Director of Photography: Kristian Zuniga
Production Designer: Daria Savic
P&C Executive Producer: Ryen Bartlett
P&C EP & Head of Production: Kevin Staake
P&C Line Producer: Doug Smith
P&C Production Manager: Brian Sabowski
Common Good EP: Stefani Kouverianos, Dwight Phipps
Common Good Coordinator: Syd Beaumont
Producer: Jeff So
Production Manager: Meika Wagner
Production Coordinator: Mason George
Talent Coordinator: Wendy Vuu
1st Assistant Director: Billy Shand
2nd Assistant Director: Bree Ahmed
Aspiring Director: Tziara Reyes Herrera
Aspiring DP: Kimberley Brown
1st AC: Eric Scweiger
2nd AC: David Shin
3rd AC/Camera Trainee: Alex Acton Jones
VTR/DIT: Michael Flax
Photographer: Tyler Hayward
Gaffer: Ed Kopp
BBE: Tyson Erb
Electric: Andrea Hernandez, Andre Mike
Key Grip: Martin Kenji
BBG: Koadie Preston
Grip: Simon Stunt, Mike Dach
Wardrobe: Skye Kelton
Wardrobe: Assist Talia Godin
Manicurist: Natalia Dolzycki
Mua Tattoo: Viktor Peters
Animal Wrangler: Tamara Conway, Tracey Hill
Animal Handler: Suzana Vecchiarelli, Rob & Deb Mahon
Script Supervisor: Laura Herriott
Buyer: Nicole Zimmer
Assist Buyer: Hannah Hollatz
Art Coordinator: Ysabel Seclen
Props: Allen Pavela
Miniature Builders: Katie Redikopp, Vasylya Shudryk, Emily Dickinson
Set Dresser: Nathan Rideout
Carpenters: Max Castro, Andy Eliopoulos, Dave Sandink
Food Stylist: Kelly Jabbaz
Sustainability: Christopher Buckner
Medic: Isaac Soleiman
Covid Super: Sebastian Mellasastre
Covid Assist: Aquiles Serdan
Craft Front: Manuela Lima, Mo Kapasi
Craft Chef: Biju Kumar
Wardrobe Trailer Driver: Roy Vaughan
Key PA (Cube): Yianni Demiatriadis, Eric Tanguay
PA Driver (Runner): Emma Hesson
PA: Hannah Bergstein, Liam Parkins, Rynn Floors
Drivers: Marcel Syncs and Orland V
Post Production: Pomp & Clout
Editor (IP Films): Jay McConville
Editor (Game With Me): Zach Stone
Assistant Editor: Maddy Leshner
Producer: Misha Kozlov
Creative Director: Aaron Vinton
Cel Animation: Stephanie Simpson
Comp Lead: Jesse Newman
Compositor (GWM): Pete Puskas
Comp Production: Helen Newman
Color Producers: Heath Raymond, Evan Bauer @ Rare Medium
Colorists: Fergus Mccall and Ayumi Ashley
Plastic Action Stills
Photographer: Jax Navarro
Set Designer: Tracy Ealdama
Music:
Overwatch and Fall Guys: Squeak E Clean
Game With Me: Asche & Spencer, Artlist, Pond5, Premium Beat
Sound Design and Mix: Barking Owl
Sound Design and Mix: Elizabeth McClanahan
Audio Assistant: Mikayla Petersen
Executive Producer: Ashley Benton
Creative Director: Kelly Bayett
