Messy Monkeys 2024 – A Snack-Sized Comedy Masterpiece
How We Brought Clever, Witty Lunchbox Ads to Life with Green Screen, Practical Effects & an All-Star Kid Cast
For Messy Monkeys’ latest campaign, we set out to create something different—something fun, clever, and packed with personality. The goal? Make Messy Monkeys the undisputed lunchbox champion for kids while keeping parents smiling along the way.
Bringing the Playground to Life
We shot the entire campaign on green screen, blending practical effects with dynamic visual elements. The kids were then placed into a school playground scene, making the world feel both familiar and playful. This allowed us to craft seamless, high-energy spots that stood out in the cluttered digital landscape.
The Concept: Kids Know Best
From the get-go, we embraced a unique creative approach—having kids speak like little adults, delivering witty, deadpan dialogue that mimics the kind of wisdom they overhear from grown-ups. The result? A series of ads that feel sharp, unexpected, and hilarious.
The Scripts: A Perfect Blend of Wit and Snackable Fun
Each script was carefully crafted to highlight different Messy Monkeys products while keeping the humor relatable. Some of the clever scenarios we brought to life included:
• Bitcoin & Snacks: A savvy kid refusing to trade his Messy Monkeys for Bitcoin, knowing exactly what decentralized finance means.
• Cheese Puffs & Dad Jokes: A “cheesier than your puffs” joke that hits the perfect groan-worthy note.
• The Sweaty Ham Sandwich Dilemma: A lunchbox disaster turns into triumph, thanks to Messy Monkeys.
• The Haircut vs. Snacks Debate: When faced with inflation, a kid chooses Messy Monkeys over a proper haircut—and owns it.
• Mix ‘n’ Match Mastermind: A genius-level kid creates barbecue chicken-flavored snacks by combining two Messy Monkeys flavors.
• Whole Grain Oxymoron: A hilarious moment where kids debate whether Messy Monkeys Burger Bites are an oxymoron—or if one of them is.
Each of these bite-sized ads was designed to engage quickly, keeping pace with today’s fast-moving social media landscape.
Casting & Bringing It to Life
We worked with a brilliant cast of kids who nailed the comedic timing, elevating the scripts with their delivery. Their performances brought the humor and personality needed to make each spot land perfectly.
Talent Cast:
• Josiah
• Maple
• Alyssia
• Reesha
• Daniel
• Ying
• Spursh
• Chloe
The Crew Behind the Magic:
• Photography/Production: Nathan Barton & Kurt Anniss @Anniss+Barton
• Creative Director: Mike Fritz @EngineGroup
• Sound Recording: Alex Wakefield
• Styling: Bianca Rose
• Makeup: Shev Kelly
• Client Team: Vanessa Shannon, Amy Smith, Vrinda Soma @ Good Food Partners
The Results: Playful, Punchy & Ready to Stand Out
With Messy Monkeys being a small but mighty brand, this campaign needed to be bold, different, and impossible to ignore. Instead of generic, smiling kids, we leaned into sharp, observational humor and clever, memorable writing—an approach that made this campaign something special.
The final product? A funny, relatable, and refreshingly smart take on kids’ snack advertising.
What’s Next?
With Messy Monkeys continuing to grow, this campaign sets the stage for even more innovative and entertaining creative work ahead. If this was just the first bite, we’re excited for what’s coming next!
At Anniss+Barton, we’re committed to crafting visual narratives that spotlight the unique stories of brands and individuals alike. If you’re ready to bring your own creative vision to life, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 Ready to collaborate? email here