SapientNitro And Cutting Edge On Creating The Commonwealth Games Mascot

SapientNitro And Cutting Edge On Creating The Commonwealth Games Mascot
Lisa Collins
By Lisa Collins



This week GOLDOC (Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation) and SapientNitro launched Borobi, the 21st Commonwealth Games Mascot to Australia, live on Channel 7’s Sunrise.

Borobi, the unstoppable koala, is a very different koala. He’s energetic, determined and has bright blue fur from surfing in the Gold Coast beaches.

Developed by creative marketing services and technology agency, SapientNitro in conjunction with the animation team at Cutting Edge Brisbane, this launch video uses a sporting profile visual treatment, narrated by Channel 7’s own sports reporter, Pat Welsh.

Creative director Ralph Barnett said, “SapientNitro provided the core creative direction in the development of the mascot by combining deep storytelling and character development experience.

“Working closely with animation partner Cutting Edge, our goal was to redefine how a mascot story can be shared while ensuring the mascot remained undeniably Australian.

“Giving Borobi a dynamic personality and genuine spirit was an exciting part of the project and watching him come to life both digitally and physically has made us all feel like proud parents. It’s been a huge honour to work on a project of national significance.”

Inspired by Merrilyn Krohn’s GC2018 Mascot Design Competition winning entry, the design was adapted to incorporate Borobi’s backstory and Indigenous design elements.

The Indigenous markings on Borobi’s paws were included in the design to raise awareness of the local Indigenous Yugambeh Language Group of the Gold Coast in South East Queensland. The name Borobi means koala in the Yugambeh language.

The animated launch video is the first global release of the GC2018 Mascot, with more to come in the lead up to the Games.

SapientNitro Agency Credits:
Managing Director: Stephen Forth
Group Account Director: Mark Gregory
Account Manager: Rachel Montague
Senior Strategist: Justin Cloete
Creative Director: Ralph Barnett
Art Director: Sarah Chernishov
Copywriters: Kirsten Twigg, Darren Masters and Andrew Cruickshank
Head of TV & Content Production: Mel Ashman
Graphic Design Team: John Shard, Jade Thomson
Character Consultant: David Cohan
Mascot landing page design team:
Luke Peake, Angelica Backstrom, Thibaut Allender
Cutting Edge Post Production Credits:
Creative Director – Zenon Kohler
Animation Director – Ian Anderson
Lead Animator – Andrew Kimberley
Animator – Matt Dye
Compositor/Motion Designer  – Victor Bandeira
CG Supervisor – Phil Jackson
Senior Sound Engineer – Michael Lange
Senior VFX Producer – Flavia Riley
Senior Post Producer – Trelise Caughey
3D Team – Rob Conn & Ahmed Nashabe 




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