Samaritans saves a big day
The suicide prevention charity launches its 2025 Winter Appeal with a powerful film about a desperate dad who nearly misses his daughter's wedding.
IKEA’s misguided gifter
A couple’s home fills with livestock when a husband takes gifting inspiration a little too literally from a classic Christmas song.
Another bloody Christmas ad from PETA
Grey London and O Positive's David Shane provide a slice of social realism with an extra splatter of claret in this witty yet impactful Christmassacre.
Big Issue's one-taker makes us think twice
Real sellers of the UK street magazine share their stories in a candid, single-shot Christmas campaign urging the public to stop and support its vendors.
Christmas hits the END. game
It's the first Christmas f-bomb (albeit bleeped) as retailer END. bring us the tale of Santa Claus coming to town... but a bit too early.
Volvo’s vehicle for change
In Chris Wilcha’s short film for the auto brand, photographer Gus Powell documents the ups and downs of life from the perspective of his first family car.
Joji’s journey into camcord chaos
The Japanese/Australian singer songwriter releases a melancholic ballad, Past Won't Leave My Bed, with a scintillating video directed by Ethan Eng.
Henry-Alex Rubin crafts a theatrical Travelers tale
TBWA\Chiat\Day NY and the SMUGGLER director tell the story of an acto of kindness in a once-in-a-generation blizzard
Samaritans saves a big day
The suicide prevention charity launches its 2025 Winter Appeal with a powerful film about a desperate dad who nearly misses his daughter's wedding.
IKEA’s misguided gifter
A couple’s home fills with livestock when a husband takes gifting inspiration a little too literally from a classic Christmas song.
Another bloody Christmas ad from PETA
Grey London and O Positive's David Shane provide a slice of social realism with an extra splatter of claret in this witty yet impactful Christmassacre.
Big Issue's one-taker makes us think twice
Real sellers of the UK street magazine share their stories in a candid, single-shot Christmas campaign urging the public to stop and support its vendors.
Christmas hits the END. game
It's the first Christmas f-bomb (albeit bleeped) as retailer END. bring us the tale of Santa Claus coming to town... but a bit too early.
Volvo’s vehicle for change
In Chris Wilcha’s short film for the auto brand, photographer Gus Powell documents the ups and downs of life from the perspective of his first family car.
Joji’s journey into camcord chaos
The Japanese/Australian singer songwriter releases a melancholic ballad, Past Won't Leave My Bed, with a scintillating video directed by Ethan Eng.
Henry-Alex Rubin crafts a theatrical Travelers tale
TBWA\Chiat\Day NY and the SMUGGLER director tell the story of an acto of kindness in a once-in-a-generation blizzard
The Craft
Q&As and behind-the-scenes info on the latest and greatest commercials, shorts and music videos.
How Knightley & Wilkinson made Waitrose's Christmas
This year's Christmas ad avalanche brought a flurry of great spots, but it's Waitrose's rom-com that won hearts and minds. Here, creative team Jen Ashton and Oli Short, along with director Molly Manners, discuss perfect casting, balancing pace and performance, and getting Richard Curtis's blessing.
How Tesco found the funny in flawed festivities
Tesco’s latest Christmas campaign, That’s What Makes It Christmas, delivers a series of relatable, perfectly imperfect festive moments instead of one glossy seasonal epic. shots caught up with BBH ECD Felipe Serradourada Guimaraes and Biscuit Filmworks’ Jeff Low to learn how they brought a bit of honesty to holiday storytelling.
How Michael Gracey portrayed a child’s safe haven for Shelter
The award-winning Partizan director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman, Better Man) talks about the creation of the homeless charity’s Christmas ad: including the casting of a boy who could convey the film’s emotional duality – both its harsh realities and the emotional refuge that childhood glee and imagination offers.
How Quality Meats helped Mr. Submarine get freaky at fifty
With Chicago sub institution Mr. Submarine celebrating a half-century, Quality Meats, and in-house production arm Sandwiches, decided to create 50 wild, wacky and really, really weird spots in tribute to its advertising past and the city it calls home. shots caught up with QM founders Gordy Sang and Brian Siedband, alongside director Brad Morris, to find out how they found all the fillings.
True blood: How a pumpkin conveyed the real horror of endometriosis
This powerful campaign for The Menstrual Health Project used a Halloween-theme to authentically depict the agony of this misunderstood condition. TBWA\MCR Creative Director Rose Alder and Packer Productions Director Zeynep Oguz share production tales, including the frightening two-week timeframe.
Riff Raff welcomes Leve Kühl
Kühl is a Berlin-based director working across both fiction and commercial formats, he joins their Nursery of Evil roster.
The Garage joins forces with The Cre8tors
The Cre8tors will represent The Garage for Midwest and brand partnership opportunities, further expanding the studios reach to new markets.
Simon & Paul adds director Luis Rojo to roster
Rojo, Co-founder of the creative collective BRBR, continues his work independently, bringing the same bold cinematic energy and cultural sharpness that have defined his creative identity.
BBH USA makes design and creative leadership appointments
Ryan Atkinson is named Head of Design, alongside Alex Booker and Estefanio Holtz appointed as Co-Heads of Creative.
tenthree promotes Nick Armstrong to partner
Since arriving at tenthree, Armstrong’s mix of discipline, warmth, and creative ambition has become a defining part of tenthree’s culture.
RadicalMedia adds directing duo Sam & David Cutler-Kreutz
The Cutler-Kreutz brothers have turned their lifelong passion for filmmaking into a prolific career defined by clever ideas, cinematic visuals, and a shared creative language.
- Merman's Ritesh Gupta directs NHL's latest hits
- Stay wild with Jackson Hole
- Suchard's Christmas ad is stop motion magic
- Studio Private brings Roberto Cavalli’s Serpentine campaign to life
- Sheba's steamy new spot
- EKO’s ready for the Acropolis Rally
- Rag’n’Bone Man is on a quest to find love
- Creativity becomes the heart of the season for Crayola
- ESPN and Predator: Badlands get lifted
- Tom Daley kicks off festive campaign for The National Lottery
Riff Raff welcomes Leve Kühl
Kühl is a Berlin-based director working across both fiction and commercial formats, he joins their Nursery of Evil roster.
The Garage joins forces with The Cre8tors
The Cre8tors will represent The Garage for Midwest and brand partnership opportunities, further expanding the studios reach to new markets.
Simon & Paul adds director Luis Rojo to roster
Rojo, Co-founder of the creative collective BRBR, continues his work independently, bringing the same bold cinematic energy and cultural sharpness that have defined his creative identity.
BBH USA makes design and creative leadership appointments
Ryan Atkinson is named Head of Design, alongside Alex Booker and Estefanio Holtz appointed as Co-Heads of Creative.
tenthree promotes Nick Armstrong to partner
Since arriving at tenthree, Armstrong’s mix of discipline, warmth, and creative ambition has become a defining part of tenthree’s culture.
RadicalMedia adds directing duo Sam & David Cutler-Kreutz
The Cutler-Kreutz brothers have turned their lifelong passion for filmmaking into a prolific career defined by clever ideas, cinematic visuals, and a shared creative language.
The Talent
shots Unsigned: Amélie Hardy
In this months shots Unsigned director interview, we hear from director Amélie Hardy about the world of documentary filmmaking, brining humanity to her commercial work and the invisible threat of online violence.
Phoebe Smith's rules of engagement
Phoebe Smith at Helo discusses the new art of experiential engagement, and talks to Tim Cumming about her trajectory from the music business to the business of making a lasting impact in the real world.
The art of unrest: John Phillips on the power of poster art
Paddington Printshop founder John Phillips, the creative force behind some of the most enduring poster designs that spoke truth to power, has co-founded The Museum of UnRest to tackle social and environmental issues. Lucy Aitken met him at the Museum's pop-up exhibition to find out more.
The Inspiration
On My Radar: Rachael Connelly
Rachael Connelly, editor at Nomad Editorial, applauds ads that hook you in seconds, is looking for a new TV series to equal one that was "perfect", and is dismayed to have "the gait of a baby giraffe".
Sage Bennett: A Few Of My Favourite Things
Greenpoint Pictures director Sage Bennett reveals the notebooks, Nikons and nice smells that keep her creativity fuelled.
Playlist: Jillian Iscaro
shots hears from FORM director Jillian Iscaro about her Michael Jackson music video marathons, requests for vertical only shoots, and her dream of sailing across the ocean.
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From Feliz Navidad to Wesołych Świąt to Kalá Christoúgenna, Christmas means something different everywhere. So, asks Jaime Mandelbaum, CCO EMEA at VML, how can brands connect with audiences around this global cultural moment by tapping into local nuances.
The Showcase
Monthly round-ups, technique focusses and entertaining showreels, curated by the shots team.
The Focus
Our monthly digital magazine, bringing you an indispensable look at specific territories, techniques and themes within the advertising industry.
