The film highlights three key time periods as examples of KPMG’s influence over the path of history since the start of the company, which dates back to 1870. 

Starting with archival footage of the Lend-Lease act being signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, which was enacted by KPMG to help the allies win WWII, the film continues by using newspaper articles and footage featuring the aftermath of the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979. The story of how KPMG South Africa was called upon to certify the election of Nelson Mandela is shown through animated crowds and old television reels of the era to close the piece.

Mill+ creative director Antony Dodero notes: “Conceptually we were given the task of telling three unique stories that were inspired by newspaper clippings of the time. We were establishing the look of the film while assembling the narrative with archival footage. It ended up creating a really healthy workflow with a project that evolved throughout the duration of the project as we moved into animation.

“The challenge was to create a visual style that felt grounded in each decade, and to have the final film feel cohesive and unified stylistically.”

The final film truly shows the important part KPMG has played throughout it’s storied history, to cut through the complexity of politics and war to empower change.