Coin Cloud teams up with Spike Lee to call out unequal financial systems; Lee declares ‘Old Money Out’  in new “The Currency of Currency” ad

Known for calling out Hollywoods and public figures on the issues of racial and financial inequality throughout his film career, Spike Lee is now teaming up with crypto startup Coin Cloud to introduce a national ad campaign and short film on the future of digital currency. Using his masterful storytelling and imagery for Coin Cloud, Spike Lee calls for a fresh way to think about money — one that is inclusive, modern, and accessible to all.

“The Currency of Currency,” is a 2-minute film campaign that promotes digital currency machine operator Coin Cloud. The campaign is a raw and honest snapshot of the history of money and the inequalities inherent in legacy U.S. financial systems. From institutions that intentionally exclude communities of color to wealth gaps that threaten the futures of millions of Americans, the ad shines a spotlight on how traditional currency needs another look, as well as the opportunity digital currency provides.

In the film, Lee declares that “the digital rebellion is here. Old money is out. New money is in.” He points out that traditional American currency is dominated by pictures of white men and that 7 million Americans have no bank account. “Old money’s not going to pick us up,” he says. “It pushes us down, exploits, systematically oppresses.”

“Old money is not going to pick us up – it pushes us down, exploits, and systematically oppresses. The digital rebellion is here. Old money is OUT, new money is IN,” Lee said.

The film was created in collaboration with the agency Campbell Ewald. The film also features appearances by Emmy-nominated Pose star Mj Rodriguez, RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Shangela, singer-songwriter Teyana Taylor and actor and activist Kendrick Sampson, with Lee positioning digital currency as more inclusive and accessible.

Lee added, “For me, this campaign is as much a prophecy as it is a look at where we’ve been,” Coin Cloud global chief marketing officer Amondo Redmond said a statement. “Beyond generating awareness, my vision is that this campaign not only sparks important dialogue, but introduces marginalized communities to an innovative, new and inclusive way to take control of and grow their wealth.”

“Coin Cloud is on the cusp — the cutting edge — of what affects people of color when it comes to finances and access to building wealth,” Spike Lee explained. “Digital currency is viable for not just people of color, but anybody who has been historically excluded from traditional financial systems.”

“We went into this campaign on a mission to spark important dialogue and almost instantly knew that Spike Lee was the perfect person to help us bring it to life,” said Amondo Redmond, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Coin Cloud. “His deep connection with communities of color, plus his track record of contextualizing issues of equality, make him an ideal partner for our goal of making digital currency accessible to all.”

Filmed in New York and produced by 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, the spot features cameos by actress Mj Rodriguez, American drag queen & reality TV personality Shangela, singer-songwriter Teyana Taylor and actor-activist Kendrick Sampson.

“For me, this campaign is as much a prophecy as it is a look at where we’ve been,” added Redmond. “Beyond generating awareness, my vision is that this campaign not only sparks important dialogue, but introduces marginalized communities to an innovative, new, and inclusive way to take control of and grow their wealth.”

Coin Cloud’s multimillion-dollar media campaign will run nationally across cable TV channels including Adult Swim and Comedy Central. It will also appear on YouTube and additional OTT and digital platforms, such as Roku and Reddit. The company partnered with Campbell Ewald, which provided creative and media services.

Founded in 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Coin Cloud is on a mission to make digital currency accessible to all people regardless of background or socioeconomic status. Digital currencies, like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, present major opportunities for people to protect their wealth while investing in the technology of the future. Coin Cloud taps into pop culture to tell dynamic and educational stories around financial security with the understanding that bringing economic empowerment to all communities starts with relevancy.

Below is the first look at Spike Lee’s Bitcoin commercial for Coin Cloud