Vrbo redefines family togetherness via Kermit in first work from W+K

Sara Dunlop directs ad for Expedia-owned travel site set to air in the Super Bowl pregame

Published On
Feb 09, 2022

Editor's Pick

Vrbo, the Expedia-owned travel site, debuts its first work from Wieden+Kennedy this week, with a spot that celebrates family vacationing, but in a thoroughly modern and diverse way. 

The spot, which will air in the Super Bowl pregame, and in Canada at halftime, is set to the song “Right Where I Belong” sung by Kermit the Frog from the "Muppets Take Manhattan," (the latest in a series of nostalgic recent ads to channel "The Muppets.") It starts a moody teenager arriving with his parents at a large house for a family holiday with his younger cousins. He's reluctant at first, but nearer the end of the film he turns out to be having a great time with them all.

The camera then pans around different rooms at the property, showing different and racially diverse families, groups of friends and multiple generations having fun together. There's swimming, dancing, heart to hearts by the pool and tender moments between lovers, including two women.  It ends with the message that Vrbo offers "vacation homes for you and whoever you call family." The ad was directed by Sara Dunlop. 

“When traveling with Vrbo, who you’re with matters just as much as where you go,” said Hector Muelas, senior vice president of global creative for Expedia Group. “Our definition of family isn’t limited to people you’re related to; it includes anyone you love spending time with. When you see multiple generations sharing a meal, old friends floating in the pool, and young cousins embracing after a fun vacation together, you’re instantly inspired to get away with your favorite people.”

As part of the campaign, Vrbo is running its first official TikTok challenge from Feb. 12 - 19 and giving away three $5,000 Vrbo vacations to winners. To participate, users must post a TikTok video of them surrounded by their favorite people using the hashtag #AVrboforTogether.

 

Credits

Date
Feb 09, 2022
Client :
Vrbo
Agency :
Wieden & Kennedy-Portland
SVP Global Marketing & Creative :
Hector Muelas
SVP Global Brand :
Michele Rousseau
Global Creative Director :
Danny Parker
VP Brand Strategy :
Marshall Ball
Head of Production :
Laura Walters
Brand Strategy :
Liz Tavera
Brand Strategy :
Melissa Peace
Brand Strategy :
Hayley McKeon
Brand Strategy :
Daniel Vidal
Brand Strategy :
Amanda Castroverde
Brand Strategy :
Hillary Jenson
Art Director :
Robert Fraze
Program Management :
Venus Schard
Creative Director :
Becca Wadlinger
Creative Director :
Devin Gillespie
Copywriter / Art Director :
Kamey Murphy
Copywriter / Art Director :
Elora Clement
Design Director :
Karen Koch
Brand Lead / Producer :
Nick Sage
Executive Producer :
Hayley Goggin
Brand Team Member :
Vanessa Miller
Brand Team Member :
Anna Boteva
Brand Team Member :
Michal David
Creative Operations Manager :
Jordan Strang
Strategy Team Member :
Henry Lambert
Strategy Team Member :
Devon Dickson
Group Media Director :
Kelly Muller
Business Affairs :
Lisa Lipman
Business Affairs :
Laura Caldwell
Traffic :
Joe Chaath
Traffic :
Gregory Depp
Design Producer :
Patrick Cahalan
Studio Designer :
Lindsay Johnson
Motion Producer :
Adam Sirkin
Motion Designer :
Chris Huang
Copyeditor :
Lisa Kadous
Director :
Sara Dunlop
DP :
Larkin Seiple
Executive Producer :
Anna Hashmi
Executive Producer :
Jay Shapiro
Line Producer :
Suzie Greene-Tedesco
VFX & Finishing :
A52
Executive Producer :
Patrick Nugent
VFX Supervisor :
Andres Rafael Barrios
VFX Supervisor :
Andy McKenna
CG Supervisor :
Andrew Romatz
Senior Post Producer :
Katie Buckley
Color :
Primary Colors
Colorist :
Kya Lou
Executive Producer :
Thatcher Peterson
Senior Producer :
Diane Valera
Editorial :
Arts Academy
Editor :
Peter Wiedensmith
Cutting Assistant :
Ben Mercer
Assistant Editor :
Jason Tawiah
Executive Producer :
Timory King
Senior Post Producer :
Denice Hutton
Audio :
Field Day Sound
Audio Engineer :
Noah Woodburn
Audio Producer :
Leslie Carthy
Publisher :
Walt Disney Music Company
Courtesy of :
TriStar Pictures
Under license from :
Sony Pictures Music Group
Music :
Right Where I Belong
Music :
The Muppets Take Manhattan

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