WENDY’S IN HEAVEN — CONCEPT 1
My first experience using a professional video camera was to interview Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas. My boss handed me the camera the day before the shoot and said, “Learn how to use this. You have a shoot tomorrow afternoon.”

I developed two concepts for a Wendy’s advertising campaign featuring Dave in Heaven. Sadly, Dave passed away before the ideas could be brought to life.

Years later, advances in AI have made it possible to revisit these concepts and imagine Dave returning to the screen, doing what he did so well—making people smile. 

WENDY’S IN HEAVEN — Concept 1
This storyboard serves as the opener, with the second (see below) airing shortly afterward. I believe the concept lends itself to an ongoing campaign, with each execution capturing Dave’s wonderfully humble personality and the humor that made his original Wendy’s advertising so memorable.  

Dave Thomas seated in an all-white environment, wearing his iconic glasses, familiar hairstyle, white shirt, and white tie.
Camera slowly pulls back.
DAVE THOMAS: “I bet you’re surprised to see me... huh?”
An angel floats by behind Dave. 
He turns a bit, sensing the angel’s presence.
He turns back quickly and laughs.
Dave turns back and the camera slowly pulls back.
Sitting on a marble table is a Dave's Double® Combo meal. 
Dave lifts the burger. 
Dave takes a bite of the burger with great satisfaction.  
Dave puts the burger down, revealing that ketchup has dripped onto his white clothing.
GOD: “Dave!!!” 
DAVE: “I got to go.” Dave’s wings appear. 
Dave floats up and away.
Meal fades to white.
GOD: “Heavenly!”
WENDY’S IN HEAVEN — CONCEPT 2
Dave Thomas is serving up Wendy’s in Heaven, where Elvis Presley and James Dean have stopped in for lunch. All is well until the two notice an unexpected visitor: Henry Winkler, dressed as the Fonz, taking a selfie.

Dave gently explains to Henry that he doesn't belong in Heaven just yet and needs to leave. Henry insists on finishing his Wendy’s drink and takes one impossibly long sip.

Wendy’s. Heavenly.
Wendy’s restaurant in Heaven.
Zoom in. Dave is behind the counter, and Elvis and James Dean have stopped in for lunch.
Dave is bringing their food to them.
ELVIS: “Hello, Dave.”
Elvis and James are not happy. 
DAVE: “Hey, fellas, something wrong?”
JAMES DEAN: “What’s he doing here?”
Cut to Henry Winkler, dressed as the Fonz, taking a selfie.
Dave takes a seat with Henry to explain it’s not his time yet.
DAVE: “It’s too soon. You can’t be here. You need to leave. I’m sorry.”
Henry picks up his drink and starts drinking. 
DAVE: “Sure, go ahead and finish your drink.”
Henry is stalling. Dave is losing his patience.
Dave stands up. 
The drink is empty, and we hear the sound of the straw sucking air.
The sound of the straw sucking air continues.
VO — GOD: “Heavenly.” 
Cut to the final scene with Elvis and James Dean as the sound of the straw sucking air continues.




























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































 















 













CONCEPT WZ-0129

WENDY’S IN HEAVEN
My first experience using a professional video camera was to interview Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas. My boss handed me the camera the day before the shoot and said, “Learn how to use this. You have a shoot tomorrow afternoon.”

I developed two concepts for a Wendy’s advertising campaign featuring Dave in Heaven. Sadly, Dave passed away before the ideas could be brought to life.

Years later, advances in AI have made it possible to revisit these concepts and imagine Dave returning to the screen, doing what he did so well—making people smile. 

WENDY’S IN HEAVEN — Concept 1
This storyboard serves as the opener, with the second (see below) airing shortly afterward. I believe the concept lends itself to an ongoing campaign, with each execution capturing Dave’s wonderfully humble personality and the humor that made his original Wendy’s advertising so memorable. 

Dave Thomas seated in an all-white environment, wearing his iconic glasses, familiar hairstyle, white shirt, and white tie. 
Camera slowly pulls back.
DAVE THOMAS: “I bet you’re surprised to see me... huh?”
An angel floats by behind Dave. 
He turns a bit, sensing the angel’s presence.
He turns back quickly and laughs.
Dave turns back and the camera slowly pulls back. 
Sitting on a marble table is a Dave's Double® Combo meal. 
Dave lifts the burger. 
Dave takes a bite of the burger with great satisfaction.  
Dave puts the burger down, revealing that ketchup has dripped onto his white clothing.
GOD: “Dave!!!” 
DAVE: “I got to go.” Dave’s wings appear. 
Dave floats up and away.
Meal fades to white.
GOD: “Heavenly!”
WENDY’S IN HEAVEN — Concpept 2
This storyboard finds Dave serveing Wendy’s to James Dean, Elevis and the Fonz.