Union’s Jono Griffith Brings Fans, Animal Kingdom, and a Giant Together for “Magic Sunday”

The editor’s latest work for YouTube TV and NFL Sunday Ticket was directed by Matthijs van Heijningen of MJZ.

Union’s Jono Griffith Brings Fans, Animal Kingdom, and a Giant Together for “Magic Sunday”

Never before have humans, animals, and other creatures so seamlessly integrated and so fondly interacted in the shared experience of Sunday football. YouTube TV's new spot, “Magic Sunday,” is exactly as advertised: a fantastic blend of humor, whimsy, and sports fandom. Originated at the YouTube Creative Studio, directed by Matthijs van Heijningen of MJZ, with VFX by The Mill, and edited by Union’s Jono Griffith, the project succeeds in part because of the team’s attention to detail (like the ram fluffing the couch cushions and the jaguar eyeing the cardinal), which playfully captures the excitement of NFL Sunday Ticket.

“This one was a treat of a job,” says Griffith. “The editing involved making sure there was space and time for the animation to communicate at its best whilst deciding what would be most charming. Movie magic is a lot of fun, and it was a team effort with the guiding eye of my friend Matthijs and the experience of The Mill; the script from YouTube Creative Studio was smart and simple and had a big smile all over it, and although it was very ambitious, everyone involved aimed for the top shelf and we got it there…with the smile still intact.”

The choice of “Sunday Morning” by the Velvet Underground adds a perfect touch to the light-hearted tone of the spot.


Date: Aug 22, 2024

Client: YouTube TV

Client: NFL Sunday Ticket

Title: “Magic Sunday” :45

Agency: YouTube Creative Studio

ECD: Christian Haas

Group Creative Lead: Becca Wadlinger

Group Creative Director: Brandon Viney

Art Director: Devin Gillespie

Copywriter: Heather Ryder

Producer: Jules Brown

Producer: Maia Van Zandt

Music Supervisor: Michael Paoletta

Production: MJZ

Director: Matthijs Van Heijningen

President/Executive Producer: David Zander

Senior Executive Producer: Eriks Krumins

Line Producer: Donald Taylor

Director of Photography: Adam Arkapaw

Editorial: Union Editorial

Editor: Jono Griffith

2nd Editor: Joe Hughes

EP: Joe Ross

Head of Production: Dani DuHadway Spagnoli

Manager Partner: Michael Raimondi

Animation: The Mill

VFX: Technicolor

Creative Director: Chris Knight

Creative Director: Robert Sethi

VFX Supervisor: Chris Bayol

VFX Supervisor: Fabien Frank

2D Lead Artist: Lane Jolly

3D Artist: Arnau Gilabert

3D Artist: Brendon Echsner

3D Artist: Cinzia Pegorin