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WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story” 2024

WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story” (2024) is a WhatsApp commercial directed by Rick Famuyiwa for Translation, produced by Partizan. It won one award: Clio Sports 2024 Gold — Branded Entertainment/Content / Film.

NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo embarks on an emotional journey to Nigeria, his ancestral homeland, to reconnect with his roots and heritage.

Video: Translation on Vimeo

Shot by shot

  1. A small wave crests on a dark, choppy body of water, with "WhatsApp presents" text overlaid on the screen.© WhatsApp0:01
  2. A young boy in a denim vest holds a toy bunny, standing next to an adult's leg in a faded photograph.© WhatsApp0:11
  3. A young person in traditional attire smiles at the camera, with a bright lens flare appearing at the end of the shot.© WhatsApp0:17
  4. A tall man in a black tracksuit walks down a brightly lit airport jet bridge, carrying a duffel bag, with airport staff on either side.© WhatsApp0:22
  5. A young man in a patterned shirt looks out a bus window at a crowd of people on a busy street at night.© WhatsApp0:26
  6. A man in a lime green and white shirt looks up at the sky, holding a brown object in his hand, with power lines in the background.© WhatsApp0:29
  7. A young man in a dark patterned shirt peeks from behind a partially open wooden door, then steps into the doorway, smiling broadly.© WhatsApp0:36
  8. A young man in a black patterned t-shirt sits at a dining table, gesturing with his hands while talking to someone off-screen in an interior setting.© WhatsApp0:39
  9. A group of young basketball players in red and black jerseys huddle around a male coach on an outdoor court, with other people watching in the background.© WhatsApp0:43
  10. A young Black man in a white sweater with dog faces dances energetically in a crowded, dimly lit club.© WhatsApp0:46
  11. A young girl in a colorful headscarf paddles a boat, looking directly at the camera in a bustling waterside community.© WhatsApp0:48
  12. A group of young adults dance energetically in a dimly lit club, celebrating and having fun together.© WhatsApp0:49

Stills © WhatsApp. Made by Translation, Partizan and Rick Famuyiwa.

Every shot, full-quality frames and clips, and search across every commercial. Free account.

The idea

NBA star's emotional homecoming to Nigeria to reconnect with his roots.

Tagline: “UGO: A Homecoming Story”

celebrity endorsementjourney of self-discoverycultural immersionemotional reunionarchival footagesports hero

The cut

Length
60 s
Shots
45
Average shot
1.3 s

What creatives use WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story” for

  1. 01Reference frames for your treatment

    Pitching something with the feel of WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story”? A screenshot from a video player won't hold up in a deck.

    Download any frame of this spot at full quality, with its credits, or search every spot for the same look.

    A small wave crests on a dark, choppy body of water, with "WhatsApp presents" text overlaid on the screen.© WhatsAppA young boy in a denim vest holds a toy bunny, standing next to an adult's leg in a faded photograph.© WhatsAppA young person in traditional attire smiles at the camera, with a bright lens flare appearing at the end of the shot.© WhatsAppA tall man in a black tracksuit walks down a brightly lit airport jet bridge, carrying a duffel bag, with airport staff on either side.© WhatsApp
    Frames from WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story”

  2. 02Shot list example: how it was cut

    You need the structure of a great spot, shot by shot, for your storyboard.

    Every shot of WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story” in order, with its length, framing and what happens in it.

    A small wave crests on a dark, choppy body of water, with "WhatsApp presents" text overlaid on the screen.© WhatsAppA young boy in a denim vest holds a toy bunny, standing next to an adult's leg in a faded photograph.© WhatsAppA young person in traditional attire smiles at the camera, with a bright lens flare appearing at the end of the shot.© WhatsAppA tall man in a black tracksuit walks down a brightly lit airport jet bridge, carrying a duffel bag, with airport staff on either side.© WhatsAppA young man in a patterned shirt looks out a bus window at a crowd of people on a busy street at night.© WhatsAppA man in a lime green and white shirt looks up at the sky, holding a brown object in his hand, with power lines in the background.© WhatsApp
    Length: 60 s · Shots: 45 · Average shot: 1.3 s

  3. 03Ad ideas: every spot built on a celebrity endorsement

    Before you present an idea, you need to know who has done it, and how.

    WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story” is built on a celebrity endorsement. Search the library by idea to see every spot that uses it.

    Novartis “Relax Your Tight End”© NovartisUber Eats “A Century of Cravings”© Uber EatsUber Eats + Special US “Football is for Food”© Uber Eats + Special USCadbury Celebrations “My SRK Ad”© Cadbury Celebrations
    Novartis · Uber Eats · Uber Eats + Special US · Cadbury Celebrations

More commercials by Rick Famuyiwa

  • Nike "Best Day Ever" (2022) commercial still© NikeNike “Best Day Ever” 2022Dir. Rick Famuyiwa · Wieden+KennedyClio Awards Bronze 2022
  • Frito Lay USA "Unretirement" (2023) commercial still© Frito Lay USAFrito Lay USA “Unretirement” 2023Dir. Rick Famuyiwa · Ketchum UK
  • Geico "Unretirement" (2023) commercial still© GeicoGeico “Unretirement” 2023Dir. Rick Famuyiwa · D3 (PepsiCo Foods)

More from Translation

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Questions

Who directed the WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story” commercial?

Rick Famuyiwa directed it, produced by Partizan, for the agency Translation.

Which agency made WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story”?

Translation created it for WhatsApp (2024).

What awards did WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story” win?

1 awards, including Clio Sports 2024 Gold — Branded Entertainment/Content / Film.

What is the tagline of WhatsApp “UGO: A Homecoming Story”?

“UGO: A Homecoming Story”

Sources for the credits and awards

clios.com