Megan Stalter Ditches the VMAs to Go on a Dunkin' Run

The 2025 MTV “VMAs” were held at New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, September 7. Airing live on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and streaming on Paramount+, the show featured comedian and presenter Megan Stalter cutting the ceremony short for an urgent Dunkin’ in a playful stunt that blurred the line between live show and branded content.

Dunkin’—an official VMAs sponsor—is one of America’s most beloved coffee and doughnut brands. Most importantly, they sell energizing Refreshers. And if you’re Megan Stalter, you’ll need one in strawberry dragonfruit to return to one of music’s most iconic nights with your sanity intact.

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In a pre-taped commercial sketch created by Paramount Brand Studio and directed by Laura Murphy of Gravy Films, Megan hurries through the backstage area of UBS Arena shouting “Dunkin’?!” hoping someone can point her to the nearest store. A charmingly confused PA tries to help, but Megan’s off again before he can finish, finally reaching Dunkin’ and getting her Refresher at long last. Not quite adept at picking up the cup with her long nails, she lets the barista lift it for her, takes a sip, and declares, “Wait, I actually love you,” before inviting her new friend back to the VMAs. The spot ends with Megan and the barista strutting out in matching outfits, then punctuating the gag live, as the two sashayed through the UBS Arena together to the crowd’s delight.

On directing the campaign, Laura Murphy remarks, “I love working with Paramount and was excited to collaborate with them again, especially alongside Megan Stalter, who’s such a comedic genius. And as a longtime Dunkin’ fan, it was a joy to bring all of that together in this project.”

Credits

Production Company: Gravy Films 

Director: Laura Murphy 

Executive Producer: Brent Stoller

Staff Producer: Ally Gnesin

Line Producer: Niko Whelan 

First Assistant Director: Kate Greenberg 

Director of Photography: Matt Jensen 

Production Designer: Francis Whitebloom 

Costume Designer: Kathryn Typoldos

Paramount Brand Studio:

SVP Creative: Beth Trentacoste 

VP/ Creative Director: Jeff Feurstein

VP of Production: Meg Sudlik 

Creative Director: Erica Hendry

Executive Content Producer: Adrienne Torrisi 

Production Manager: Nichelle Nichols

VP Project Management: Ellie Miltner

SVP Activation: Matthew Newcomb

VP Activation: Erin Liabo 

Director Activation: Alexis Yumol

Sr. Manager Activation: Dana Seiberg   

SVP Talent, Paramount: Wendy Plaut 

Post: 

Edit: Nick Miletic, Paramount Brand Studio
Audio: Jody Nazzaro, Super Exploder 

Color: Roslyn Di Sisto, Royal Muster  

Dunkin’:

Manager: Shannon Harris

AE (Dunkin’s Creative Agency):

Creative Director: Rebecca Rumble

Sr. Art Director: Jeremiah Fuentes

Zenith – Dunkin’ Media Agency:

Sam Garmin: Zenith