Ensemble Worldwide Malaysia creates tribute to Malaysians in original drama series for PETRONAS
Ensemble Worldwide, the creative unit within the IPG Mediabrands network, has released the first episode of the PETRONAS original drama series for the year, to commemorate the start of the PETRONAS 2022 festive campaign.
Titled ‘366’, the seven-episode drama series is anchored upon the overall PETRONAS 2022 festive campaign themed “Live Again”, and sets out to portray the resilience, fortitude, and togetherness of Malaysians during trying times.
The series launched for the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations with the first episode titled “Day 32”, revolving around the main character, Zhi Yi and her family and friends, as they navigate unexpected situations and life’s complexities.
Didi Pirinyuang, Executive Creative Director of Ensemble Worldwide, said: “As we set out to fine tune the theme for the year, we gave great thought to how the pandemic has shaped us all. The pandemic gave us time to rethink life, our priorities, and what really matters. Whether it is self-revelation or with family, friends and community, we have all been forced to confront our true strengths, fears and weaknesses. 366 is the story of Malaysians discovering, embarking, embracing, sometimes throwing away the past or what doesn’t work. Ultimately it is a story about thriving as we cautiously step into a new year to live with new energy and resolve. Our intent is to inspire people to dream a new dream, outrace themselves and thrive together, with courage.”
Senior General Manager of Group Strategic Communications of PETRONAS, Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, said: “This is the year where we Malaysians would need to summon our courage to get back on our feet and learn to live in the evolving new normal. Our intention is to inspire people to dream a new dream and overcome the past and perceived limitations in rising and thriving together.
“366 is a story of second chances and the need to accept the past in order to move forward. The series showcases the true Malaysian culture of reaching out to each other when the going gets tough. We want Malaysians to take home the message – ‘know that you are not alone.’
Regardless of our challenges, we have the strength of the roaring tiger within us. Through the bonds we forge, we will become stronger together as Malaysians.”
The drama series is also a journey discovery as the plot slowly unravels in subsequent episodes and invites all Malaysians to come on this journey with us,
Pirinyuang said: “This new year marks our new journey with PETRONAS. We are truly breaking the mould of conventional festive storytelling as we have worked closely with the Malaysian film industry to approach this as a drama series, an approach that PETRONAS as a brand has never done before. The year ahead holds some unique features, all telling stories of Malaysian’s realities and second chances with the intention for them to see a glimmer of themselves. Because really, 366 is OUR story. It is an ode to all Malaysians. It is the story of Malaysia.”
The film was directed by Kabir Bhatia, a multiple award-winning Director/Producer who has spent the last 20 years in Malaysia stamping his strong visual style on the Film Industry. The first episode of “366” is available for viewing on PETRONAS’ official YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Day 32 currently has over 3 million views on YouTube.
