Published June 25th, 2025
QuikTrip wasn’t looking to reinvent the gas station ad—but that’s exactly what happened.
What started as a scrappy 15-second test spot grew into a full-blown animated universe—populated by errand-running moms, snack-hunting college kids, and one perpetually late guy named Marco. “We started with one guy who’s always late for work,” said Creative Director Andres Rivera. “Then suddenly, we had a mom doing errands, a college kid grabbing snacks… and a whole visual universe to hold them.”
The partnership originally kicked off with a campaign for QTPay, QuikTrip’s in-store payment app, but quickly evolved into something bigger. Animated in collaboration with BNS Spain, the series pairs stylized cel animation with hyper-specific brand details—from their iconic soda machine buttons to those famously oversized muffins.
“You don’t think a gas station commercial is going to be cool… until it is.”
With a visual nod to Samurai Jack and a tone that leans more playful than promotional, the work helped QuikTrip shift from transactional to memorable without ever leaving the parking lot. By centering story and character, the campaign turned everyday pit stops into personality-driven moments that actually stick. It’s proof that with the right creative lens, even a quick coffee run can feel like a scene worth watching.
