My Friend, Max Hate

Video, Any Length - Series

2025

Bensimon Byrne / Narrative XPR, Toronto, ON
e: letschat@bensimonbyrne.com
w: bensimonbyrne.com

"My Friend, Max Hate" shines a light on the threat toxic manosphere personalities pose to young boys. The campaign was anchored by a short film designed to educate parents and raise awareness among boys about the danger these influencers present. Using a puppet as a metaphor for manipulation, the film tells the story of a young boy increasingly falling under their sway, showing just how urgent and insidious this issue has become.

Chief Creative Officer: Joseph Bonnici
Executive Creative Director: Debbie Chan
Creative Director: David Mueller
Associate Creative Director: Ana Segurajauregui Sanchez
Art Director: Zoë Gray
Writer: Nate Houseley
Agency Producer: Michelle Pilling
Senior Strategist: Pat Martini
Program Director: Oliver Glover
Account Director: Cole Douglas
Senior Account Manager: Samantha Sartor
Account Manager: Kanishka Punjabi, Aaron Short
Executive Producer: Amanda Morrison
Director: Angie Bird
Director of Photography: Mat Barkley
Line Producer: Kailey Shanque
Offline Producer: Sam McLaren
Offline Editor: Michelle Czuker
Offline Assistant Editor: Matt Blakely
Online Producer: Andrew Tavares
Online Editor: Saba Zahir, David Whiteson
Colourist: Eric Whipp
Shoot/Edit (Social): Marco Libretti
Audio Producer: Julia Vasiliev
Audio Director: Jared Kuemper
Engineer: Jared Kuemper, Marcel Hidalgo, Tyler Young
Client: White Ribbon

Winning Entry: youtu.be/SQHztQBinvA?si=Qmp3ctgAnNXvHvMC