The Elements Music Wins Grand Clio for 'Crafting the One' GM Brand Film

​The Elements Music has won a Grand Clio Music Award for Use of Music Innovation for 'Crafting the One,' its work on General Motors’ latest brand film celebrating craft, music, and manufacturing.

Created in collaboration with Droga5 and Smuggler, the campaign transforms the GM factory floor into a recording studio, where each stage of the manufacturing process becomes part of a musical composition. Built around Elvis Presley’s 'If I Can Dream,' the track was deconstructed and re-orchestrated, with instruments assigned to individual departments — from clay modelling to upholstery — culminating in a fully choreographed performance inside GM’s Michigan facility.

“When picking partners, we look for people who bring a unique perspective and push beyond the obvious,” said Mike Ladman, senior music supervisor at Droga5. “The Elements don’t just answer the brief, they challenge it, elevate it, and make the work better through bolder, more unexpected music choices.”

Originally conceived by David Droga and developed over nearly a decade as his final campaign before retirement, the film represents a meticulous fusion of orchestration, sound design, and physical choreography. As director Jovan Todorović puts it, “The building of the car isn’t scored by the music; it is the music.”

“This project demanded real intentionality in the music, the technology, and the responsibility that comes with working with an artist of this magnitude,” said J Bonilla, co-founder and creative director at The Elements Music. “To see it recognised with a Grand Clio is deeply meaningful.”

Founded by producers and engineers J Bonilla and Ian Dalsemer, whose credits include Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Wu-Tang Clan, The Elements Music is known for blending record-quality music with brand storytelling, continuing to push the boundaries of how sound can shape emotional connection and cultural relevance. The company works across custom music, artist collaborations, music supervision, and sound design, with teams in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Mexico.