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Connor Storrie Butt-Dials His Way Into a Scary Movie in New Verizon Campaign From Director Nia DaCosta
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Connor Storrie Butt-Dials His Way Into a Scary Movie in New Verizon Campaign From Director Nia DaCosta

📖 Full Retelling

Connor Storrie is giving “Scream” vibes in a new film campaign for Verizon. Directed by Nia DaCosta, the almost five-minute short, “Look Behind You,” features the “Heated Rivalry” star arriving at a secluded — what else? — cottage in the woods. While cooking dinner and reading a script, the house stereo seemingly goes on by […]

📚 Related People & Topics

Nia DaCosta

Nia DaCosta

American filmmaker (born 1989)

Nia DaCosta (born November 8, 1989) is an American filmmaker. She rose to prominence when she made her feature-length debut as a writer and director with the crime thriller film Little Woods (2018), winning the Nora Ephron Prize for Female Filmmakers at the Tribeca Film Festival. After working on ot...

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Connor Storrie

American actor (born 2000)

Connor Storrie (born February 22, 2000) is an American actor. He is best known for his breakout role as Ilya Rozanov in the Crave original television series Heated Rivalry (2025–present).

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Verizon

Verizon

American telecommunications company

Verizon Communications Inc. ( və-RY-zən), is an American telecommunications company headquartered in New York City. It is the world's second-largest telecommunications company by revenue and its mobile network is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, with 146.1 million subscribers as o...

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Mentioned Entities

Nia DaCosta

Nia DaCosta

American filmmaker (born 1989)

Connor Storrie

American actor (born 2000)

Verizon

Verizon

American telecommunications company

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This news matters because it represents a significant marketing collaboration between a major telecommunications company and a prominent Hollywood director, potentially signaling a trend of deeper creative partnerships between brands and filmmakers. It affects Verizon's marketing strategy, Nia DaCosta's career trajectory, and consumers who will encounter this campaign. The campaign's success could influence how other brands approach celebrity and director collaborations for advertising. Additionally, it demonstrates how brands are using entertainment-style content to engage audiences beyond traditional commercials.

Context & Background

  • Nia DaCosta is the director of the 2021 'Candyman' reboot and the upcoming 'The Marvels', making her one of the most prominent young directors in Hollywood
  • Verizon has historically invested heavily in celebrity-driven marketing campaigns, including partnerships with actors and athletes
  • Butt-dialing has been a common cultural phenomenon since the proliferation of mobile phones, often used for comedic effect in media
  • Brands increasingly collaborate with film directors to create cinematic-quality advertisements that blur lines between entertainment and marketing
  • Verizon faces intense competition in telecommunications marketing from AT&T, T-Mobile, and other providers seeking distinctive branding approaches

What Happens Next

The campaign will launch across Verizon's marketing channels in the coming weeks, potentially including television, digital platforms, and social media. Industry analysts will monitor consumer engagement metrics and brand perception changes. If successful, similar director-brand collaborations may emerge from competitors. The campaign's performance could influence Verizon's future marketing budget allocations toward entertainment-style content. Nia DaCosta may receive additional brand partnership offers based on this campaign's reception.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nia DaCosta and why is her involvement significant?

Nia DaCosta is a rising Hollywood director who directed the 2021 'Candyman' reboot and the upcoming Marvel film 'The Marvels'. Her involvement brings cinematic credibility and horror genre expertise to Verizon's marketing campaign, potentially attracting film enthusiasts' attention.

What is the strategic purpose of this Verizon campaign?

The campaign aims to make Verizon's marketing stand out through entertainment-quality content that engages viewers emotionally. By using a horror movie premise with a prominent director, Verizon seeks to create memorable advertising that differentiates it from competitors' more traditional telecom marketing.

How does butt-dialing relate to Verizon's services?

Butt-dialing represents a common mobile phone user experience that Verizon can address through its network reliability and device features. The campaign likely uses this relatable scenario to demonstrate how Verizon's services or products can prevent or manage such accidental calls in entertaining ways.

What does this campaign indicate about advertising trends?

This campaign reflects the growing trend of brands collaborating with film directors to create advertisement content that resembles entertainment rather than traditional commercials. It shows how marketing is evolving toward narrative-driven, cinematic approaches to capture audience attention in crowded media environments.

How might this campaign affect Verizon's brand perception?

The campaign could position Verizon as innovative and culturally relevant by associating with contemporary filmmaking talent. However, it risks appearing gimmicky if the execution doesn't resonate with audiences or if the horror theme alienates some consumers who prefer straightforward service information.

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Original Source
Mar 31, 2026 6:00am PT Connor Storrie Butt-Dials His Way Into a Scary Movie in New Verizon Campaign From Director Nia DaCosta By Marc Malkin Plus Icon Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events marcmalkin Latest Rob and Michele Reiner Remembered as ‘Superheroes’ at Human Rights Campaign Gala: ‘They Helped Make It Possible for LGBTQ+ People to Marry the Person They Love’ 2 days ago Nikki Glaser Won’t Be Roasting Kevin Hart: ‘I’m Coming Up Short With Short Jokes’ 4 days ago ‘Hannah Montana’ Cast Recalls First Days of Filming: ‘I Was Afraid I Was Going to Get Fired’ 5 days ago See All Connor Storrie is giving “Scream” vibes in a new film campaign for Verizon . Directed by Nia DaCosta, the almost five-minute short, “Look Behind You,” features the “Heated Rivalry” star arriving at a secluded — what else? — cottage in the woods. While cooking dinner and reading a script, the house stereo seemingly goes on by itself as do some lights and the alarm system. Wandering around the cottage, Storrie looks worried as if he’s thinking something sinister may happen. The horror movie-like soundtrack adds to the eerie feeling. Related Stories Prolific Video Game Voice Actor Roger Craig Smith on Celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th Birthday, 14 Seasons of Narrating 'Say Yes to the Dress'
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