The NFL Network will air the new 2D spot, from Richard O’Connor’s Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., through the upcoming NFL Draft; the initiative pairs strangers with opposing beliefs for one-on-one conversations to rediscover their shared humanity.
National nonprofit StoryCorps has partnered with the National Football League (NFL) to extend the reach of the organization’s “One Small Step” initiative.Developed in 2017 and launched nationally in 2024, “One Small Step” pairs strangers with opposing political beliefs for conversations that allow both sides to get to know their fellow Americans and rediscover their shared humanity.
To encourage football fans to participate, NFL Network will air a new 2D animated PSA, beginning this month, through the NFL Draft that runs April 23-25.Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum Jr.lends his voice to the ad, which encourages viewers to look beyond their differences.
Additional NFL players, such as Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, are also slated to voice the spot.The ad is created by animation studio Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., directed by Richard O'Connor, and illustrated by Ward Jenkins, with Taisiya Zaretskaya, Natalie Greene, Ruyin Tsai, and Pilar Newton-Katz animating. Regarding the spot, O’Connor shared with AWN, “Our visual inspiration was drawn from New Deal-era WPA posters, especially those for National Parks. These public projects connect us all, improve our material conditions and elevate our lives.They represent the best in our history as a national community.
These principles are at the heart of StoryCorps and the One Small Step initiative in particular.On top of this, I'm a degenerate Eagles fan so working with the NFL is always extra fun.” “We have much more in common than divides us, including, for many of us, our favorite NFL team or player,” said Dave Isay, founder and president of StoryCorps.“Today, 9 out of 10 Americans are tired of division, concerned about where it’s leading the country, and looking for a way forward.
One Small Step offers Americans a simple, tangible tool to help close the divides tearing at the very fabric of our nation.We’re deeply grateful to the NFL for joining us in tackling this urgent problem, because if the culture of contempt wins, we all lose.”
Check out the spot now:
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
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