Permanent Collection

The Embassy Re-Conquers Winter With the Nissan KICKS

Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2026

Back in 2017, Vancouver VFX studio The Embassy resurrected their malevolent Nissan snowmen (watch with full BTS here). Now, teaming with Steam Films’ director Markus Walter, they’ve expanded on the brand’s winter mayhem.

Adam Reeves, CCO at TBWA\Canada: “The snowmen aren’t just characters; they’re a metaphor for winter itself. They represent chaos, unpredictability, and everything Canadians brace for every year.”

“It wasn’t just about dropping digital characters into footage; it was about making them feel like they belonged in our chaotic world.”

Mario Maiato, CD at TBWA\Canada: “The efforts of both The Embassy and Studio Feather were imperative in bringing the final spot to life. With the former coming aboard early to develop hand-drawn character sketches. This enabled a quick evolution to 3D models, ensuring each character in the final spot felt grounded and real.

“The real magic happened when we focused on movement and the interaction with the Nissan KICKS. We worked meticulously on how the snowmen moved through the environments we’d shot. It wasn’t just about dropping digital characters into footage; it was about making them feel like they belonged in our chaotic world.”

Images:

Nissan KICKS Conquer All Conditions commercial | STASH MAGAZINE

Credits:

Client:
Agency: TBWA\Canada, TamTam TBWA, Critical Mass

Production: Steam Films
Director: Markus Walter
Director of Photography: Ekkehart Pollack
Line Producer: Erik Wilson
EP: Krista Marshall
Producer: Carling Acthim
Production Manager: Luke Waterman
Stunt Coordinator: Jacob Ahee
Production Designer: Jay Pooley
Casting: Andrew Hayes

VFX: The Embassy
Founder: Winston Helgason
EP: Kenny Solomon
VFX Supervisor: Paul Copeland
CD: David Casey
Director: Darcie Muangman
Project Manager: Pushkar Atre

Post Production: FEATHER
Online Editor: Julien Van Mil, Dequiera Atherton
Colorist: Kevin Wu
Color Assistant: Ralph Pineda
Executive Producer: Emily Goldberg
Producer: Sonia Ruffolo

Edit: Cabin
Editor: Mischa Meyer
Edit Assistant: Mike Horan
Executive Producer: Hope Du Haim
Producer: Stephanie Rose

Music: RWDY
Composer: Matthias Biermann

Audio: Grayson Music
CD: Ryan Kondrat, Ali Milner
Sound Engineer: Vlad Nikolic, Brian Bernard
EP: Kelly McCluskey
Talent: Alyssa Erwin