Tessa Films and TimeZoneOne launch State of Illinois campaign Greatest Gift

With the holiday season approaching, the State of Illinois launched a new awareness campaign promoting the COVID-19 vaccine as the “greatest gift” you can give this year.

Kids age 5 and up are now eligible for the life-saving vaccine, and doses are widely available across the state of Illinois – from first doses to pediatric vaccines to booster shots.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has published updated holiday guidance recognizing the protective power of the vaccines. As experts have advised, vaccinated families can safely return to treasured traditions, while unvaccinated individuals are urged to get their life-saving shot and follow other guidelines around travel and gatherings. 

“As we look forward to a return to a holiday season filled with family and friends, the greatest gift you can give is to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As a father, I was relieved when my kids got vaccinated because I know they’re protected from getting sick with this deadly virus. I urge all parents to protect their families with the incredibly effective COVID-19 vaccine.”

“Vaccines work and are our best way to protect ourselves and those closest to us as we celebrate the holidays,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We’ve all gone through a lot over the last two years, and being fully vaccinated gets us one step closer to once again celebrating our cherished traditions. Getting your life-saving shot is the greatest gift you can give this holiday season.”

Developed by Illinois-based creative agencies TimeZoneOne and SCC, the holiday campaign features vaccinated families celebrating together once again – free from worry because of the protective power of vaccines. The COVID-safe production was managed by Tessa Films and directed by Meghann Artes. The campaign will appear in every corner of Illinois and contains the following videos:

The campaign will reach Illinoisans statewide in both English and Spanish through a variety of traditional and online media channels, including cable, broadcast and connected TV; streaming audio and radio; billboards and bus shelters; digital display and video; print and social media. Like other coronavirus-related expenses, costs are reimbursable by the federal government. 

To download the videos, audio and images for the ‘The Greatest Gift You Can Give’ campaign, see the attached campaign toolkit.

‘The Greatest Gift You Can Give’ is part of the state’s larger All in Illinois effort, backed by doctors and public health experts, encouraging Illinoisans to protect themselves and their neighbors from COVID-19 by wearing masks in public and getting vaccinated as soon as possible. 


greatest gift

The campaign was developed by Illinois-based creative agencies TimeZoneOne and SCC. The COVID-safe production was managed by Tessa Films and directed by Meghann Artes. SAG-AFTRA talent are featured in the spots. The campaign is supported by Spurrier Group and guided by data insights from the state’s COVID-19 modeling team and Civis Analytics




Client: State of Illinois

Alex Hanns – Deputy Press Secretary, Office of Governor JB Pritzker

Agency: TimeZoneOne / SCC 

Daniel Thomas – CEO of TimeZoneOne

Dennis Bannon – Executive Director, Production

Joe Raser – Director, Brand Strategy

Kelly Christoffer – Account Director

Jackie Smith – Account Supervisor

Ron Sone – Creative Director

Corey Ciszek – Creative Director

Marty Knuth – Art Director

Brad Harvey – Copywriter

Sam Kraft – Content Manager

Camille Suknovich – Producer

Production Company: Tessa Films 

Meghann Artes – Director

Lisa Masseur – Executive Producer

Sydney Thomson – Line Producer

CJ Richter – Production Supervisor

Jon Phillips – Production Coordinator 

Michael Ognisanti – Director of Photography

Andy Mason – Set Decorator

PR Casting – Casting


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