Rather than tread the well-worn “traditionally crafted, artisanal quality” story typical of cheese advertising, we invented a new story for Canadian cheese. Inspired by a cultural mosaic of traditions, peoples, and tastes, Canadian cheese-makers are unburdened by tradition, leaving them free to craft new, creative cheeses in any manner their heart desires.

Animated films are popular with our millennial audience, are naturally charming, and inherently exude a sense of craft and creativity—all of which made telling this story in a 3D animated space a natural fit.

The film was designed with subtle references to Canada to help highlight the metaphor the story tells. Mia, for example, is the metaphorical embodiment of Canadian cheese-makers, so in addition to being more creatively driven than her traditional father, she always wears something red and white as a nod to the Canadian flag.

To help express the emotional arc of the film, the three acts have distinct colour motifs—from cool, morning lighting in the beginning, to blue tones in the middle, to warm, vibrant lighting at the end, even the lighting in Mia & Morton was designed to influence what you’re feeling.

Every element of the film was considered to help tell our story.

The campaign only just launched, and in its first week Mia & Morton was viewed 500,000 times, drove 1400 YouTube channel subscriptions, and enjoyed 5000 shares—one of which was Ashton Kutcher: actor and proud dad.