Eric André Directs Sprite's 'Holiday Specials' Starring Black Talent

Sprite spoofs “holiday specials” as the brand welcomes back its Spiced Cranberry soda for the yuletide season.

Of course, this tinseled TV trope gets lampooned quite a bit, with ESPN’s “Christmasketball” program from 2019 being a prime example. Here, however, there’s something a tad new under the tree, as Wieden + Kennedy New York unwraps the “specials” format to explore festive tidings from a Black perspective.

First, frosting flies in a gingerbread tutorial:

Next, a choir of cousins loses the beat:

“The holidays are a vital time for everyone to have their spirits lifted, but the majority of American holiday entertainment still predominantly features white families at the center of the story,” A.P. Chaney, director of creative strategy at Sprite parent Coca-Cola, tells Muse. “We wanted to try to capture uniquely Black nuances and family dynamics and put those at the center of the story.”

This marks comedian Eric André’s first work as a commercial director. He’s a true fan, though, judging from this freaky “Sprite Sponsorship” bit a few years back on his Adult Swim series:

“We wanted someone who could get the funny out of every second of our spots and couldn’t think of anyone better than him,” Chaney says. “Eric André took extra time in making sure these stories shined—all while adding his signature comedic touch to each script.”

As for the storylines, Chaney says: “We have a focus on creators and arbiters of hip-hop culture, as you have seen in our work over the years, united by their drive to push the boundaries of self-expression in order to make a mark of their own.”

Ultimately though, the Sprite Holiday Special “is for everyone,” she adds. “Black joy is infectious for everyone, and we wanted to zoom into it to make something that could make people smile, and especially make Black consumers feel seen.”

CREDITS

CLIENT: Sprite
PROJECT NAME: Sprite Holiday Special
FORMAT: TV, OLV, OOH, Digital/Social
CLIENT CONTACT: A.P. Chaney, Camille Baggett, Rebecca Smith, Michael Padgett, Aaliyah Shafiq Ely, Terika Fasakin, Brian Rogers, Brittany Rose, Emily Hecker
LAUNCH DATE: 11/01/21

AGENCY: W+K NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Karl Lieberman
GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTORS: Blair Warren, Matt Mulvey
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Will Binder
COPYWRITER: Monica Roebuck
ART DIRECTOR: Kiki Dahl
HEAD OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION: Nick Setounski
PRODUCERS: Ava Rant, Erica Serio
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR: Samantha Wagner
ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR: Heléna Brooks
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Abby Hall
PROJECT MANAGER: Nicole Lopez
SENIOR STRATEGIST: Donovan Triplett
STRATEGIST: David Fraser
COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY DIRECTOR: Branden Bouvia
COMMUNICATIONS PLANNER: Hannah Ward
BUSINESS AFFAIRS MANAGER: Joshua Christie
TRAFFIC DIRECTOR: Sonia Bisono
TRAFFIC COORDINATOR: Jackie Crane
DIGITAL FORMATTING: Ben Vaughn
CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR: Chris Whalley
PRINT PRODUCERS: David Niblick, Leigh Ann Dykes
STUDIO MANAGER: Jill Kearton
STUDIO ARTIST: Steve Quint
RETOUCHING: Kevin Walker, Jesse Corninella

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Bullitt
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Luke Ricci
DIRECTOR: Eric Andre
PRODUCER: Rogers Marquess
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Sari Thayer
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Sheki Ebron
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Jerrod Littlejohn
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Aaron Kovalchik

EDITORIAL COMPANY: Arcade Edit NY
EDITOR: Ali Mao
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Sila Soyer
POST PRODUCER: Arlene Perez
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Lucas Ferreira

FINISHING COMPANY: The Mill NY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Clairellen Wallin
Producer: Ija Ochoa
Creative Director: Nathan Kane
2D Lead: Anton Anderson
2D Assist: Jeeeun Lee

COLOR COMPANY: MPC LA
Colourist: Ricky Gausis
Colour Producer: Ivana Banh

AUDIO POST Sonic Union
MIXER & SOUND DESIGN: Steve Rosen, Fernando Ascani
PRODUCER: Justine Cortale

PHOTOGRAPHER: Brittany Bravo

FILM MUSIC

ARTIST: Isaac Wang
PUBLISHER: Sounds Delicious
TRACK: IW

ARTIST: Charles Foltz
PUBLISHER: Sounds Delicious
TRACK: Foltz

ARTIST: James Brody
PUBLISHER: Sounds Delicious
TRACK: JB

ARTIST: Dan Mufson
PUBLISHER: Sounds Delicious
TRACK: DM