teja balla A star-studded ad stunt during the 2024 Oscars, featuring Samsung, L’Oréal, and more, highlighted stunt workers while showcasing cutting-edge tech.
At the 97th Academy Awards, the real action didn’t just happen on stage—it unfolded during the commercial breaks. A high-energy, stunt-filled ad campaign, featuring brands like Samsung, L’Oréal, and Carnival, took center stage in an effort to celebrate stunt workers and provide a thrilling tribute to the Los Angeles film community, still recovering from recent wildfires.
The campaign, crafted by Disney Advertising, Kimmelot, and Maximum Effort, ran across six spots and showcased jaw-dropping scenes: men brawling in cafes, women leaping through windows, and cars exploding in desert landscapes. Stunt coordinators like Chris Denison hailed the campaign as a “love letter to the stunt community,” giving much-needed visibility to the largely behind-the-scenes profession. Over 75 stunt performers from two LA-based companies, including ArtClass Content and Empire Stunts, brought the action to life, filming in LA and the Dominican Republic.
The creative process was meticulous, matching each brand’s identity with its stunts. For instance, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 featured in a “John Wick”-style fight scene, showcasing AI-powered features like the Now Brief and Audio Eraser. The challenge was balancing the intensity of the stunts with the messaging of each brand, avoiding repetition and ensuring a fresh, compelling experience for viewers.
Collaboration was key to the success of the campaign. The partnership between agencies and production companies ensured that each 30-second spot packed a punch without overloading on similar stunts. The result was a campaign that not only celebrated stunt workers but also delivered memorable advertising that captivated Oscars viewers.
