Nashville, Tenn. – (May 7, 2026) – When the Tennessee Titans set out to introduce a bold new era for the franchise – unveiling new uniforms, a refreshed logo, and a renewed voice for the team – they knew the moment demanded a story worthy of the fans who have stood by them for generations. To help realize that vision, the Titans chose Fivestone Studios, whose uniquely integrated model enabled the creation of “Next Titan Up,” an emotionally resonant brand anthem film that premiered as part of the team’s historic reveal.
“Not only is Fivestone a local Tennessee company, but they also have exceptional capabilities,” said Charles Jensen, VP of Creative for the Tennessee Titans. “From the first conversation, we knew they were in‑tune with the story we wanted to tell, and because they have lived and breathed this culture, they were able to tell it in the most authentic way possible.”
The Titans’ creative leadership, including Jensen and Director of Project Management Julia Perkins Bender, approached Fivestone to collaborate on conceptualizing and developing the brand campaign anthem and logo‑reveal creative content. Their goal: Articulate a new voice for the Titans that feels iconic, soulful, and deeply connected to the people of Tennessee.
To translate that vision into a cinematic experience, Fivestone partnered closely with Bella – its creative-led production studio – whose filmmaking expertise, early involvement, and deep Tennessee roots were essential to shaping the film’s authenticity and emotional tone.
“The Titans came to us with a clear, powerful vision for how they wanted this moment to feel,” said Fivestone Executive Producer Darren Jaffe. “Our role was to bring that vision to life through Fivestone’s integrated model – where strategy, creative, technology, and production operate as a single system. When everything moves together, ideas get stronger, execution gets faster, and the work becomes more cohesive and meaningful. That level of integration is core to how we work, and it’s what made this collaboration so special.”
A Story Rooted in Tennessee: Past, Present, and Future
The film traces the emotional journey of a father and son across decades, from the early days of the Tennessee Oilers to the present day, capturing the way fandom becomes a thread that binds generations.
Creative Director Daniel Petrino and Director Matthew Underwood, along with post-production and VFX teams, collaborated from the earliest stages, shaping a narrative that honored the team’s history while reflecting the grit, values, and spirit of Tennessee communities. Their partnership allowed the story structure, visual language, and production approach to evolve seamlessly and cohesively.
Authenticity was essential. Casting focused on real Tennesseans whose faces and families reflected the region’s diversity and heart. Production design meticulously recreated 1990s Tennessee homes and neighborhoods, complete with era‑specific props, memorabilia, and textures sourced from across the state.
One of the Titans’ top priorities was ensuring the film authentically reflected the local fan culture of Tennessee. With Fivestone and Bella born in Nashville, their global creative network allowed them to keep the majority of the team and crew local to the city.
“Everyone on the team has a deep, personal understanding of our audience,” said Partner and Executive Producer David Perry. “From the spirit of Tennessee sports to the broader cultural identity of the region, that local perspective shaped every decision and helped ensure the film felt authentic to the people it was made for.”
According to Bella’s Director of Production Amanda Dillingham, in a film that is essentially a love letter to fans, the decision to use Stephen Wilson Jr.’s rendition of ‘Stand By Me’ speaks volumes. “It’s not polished,” she began. “It’s not easy. It’s honest. And most importantly, it’s a message from the team that understands fandom is about showing up on Sundays even when things don’t go your way.”
Another fan-favorite film highlight comes through the involvement of Titans legend Jevon Kearse, whose appearance became a meaningful “Easter egg” for longtime supporters.
Unified Creative Development, Production, and Post
Shot over three days in February, and completed in just over three weeks, the project demanded extraordinary coordination across Fivestone’s and Bella’s integrated teams.
“The success of the video is a direct result of the collaboration between the Titans, Fivestone, and Bella,” Jensen confirmed. “We worked together as a team to hold frequent check-ins that allowed us to provide clarity and make thoughtful decisions every step of the way.”
To maintain era accuracy, the team referenced historical imagery, recreated past stadium signage, and used subtle VFX enhancements to support the passage of time. Sound design played a critical role in making stadium scenes feel full and alive, even when filmed with limited extras due to confidentiality around the new uniforms.
Throughout the process, Fivestone and the Titans operated as one connected team, reflecting the studio’s integrated model and the Titans’ commitment to authentic storytelling.
“The Titans’ trust meant everything,” added Fivestone’s Post Producer Erin O’Hara. “They were collaborative, decisive, and deeply invested in making sure this story resonated with fans. Seeing the reactions online and hearing from fans in-person has been incredibly rewarding.”
“When this piece came on the big screen at the Pinnacle, I was in the crowd with my daughter, and the entire venue went quiet and leaned in,” Jensen added. “The emotional power was palpable as we felt it land on a personal level with fans.”
The “Next Titan Up” brand film is now live across Titans channels, accompanied by multiple cutdowns and social formats. It can be seen here: https://youtu.be/mJIarkMIJjA
For the Tennessee Titans, credit also goes to Senior Producer of Original Content Michael Fertig. In addition to Jaffe, Dillingham, Petrino, Underwood, and O’Hara, Fivestone’s credits also include Chief Executive Officer Traylor Woodall, Chief Operating Officer Brian Altman, Executive Producer David Perry, Director of Photography John Carrington III, Line Producer Allen Howard, and Editor Mark Grassia. Complete project credits are available upon request.
