Charities - 11/10/2011
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Following reports that the ad by Bono’s charity One has been banned by Ofcom, the communications regulator, we got to thinking about what kind of campaigns get people’s attention. We mean really get people talking. So, here’s our top ten of the most creative, thought-provoking charity campaigns…
#1
One
One
So, for example, the One ad, called The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity, features celebrities (big tick) doing something controversial (double big tick). Aimed at raising awareness of famine in the horn of Africa, stars such as Ewan McGregor, George Clooney and Jessica Alba appear to say the F-word, before it is revealed they are actually saying the word ”famine”.
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#2
The Royal Marines Charitable Trust
A recent charity campaign coordinated by the wives and girlfriends of Royal Marine service men saw the ladies dressed in their undies in the name of The Royal Marines Charitable Trust. When the story ran on the Mail Online, it caused a storm of comments – some critiquing the ‘artistic’ quality of the images, some questioning the tastefulness of the project, and yet others fiercely defensive.
#2
The Royal Marines Charitable Trust
A recent charity campaign coordinated by the wives and girlfriends of Royal Marine service men saw the ladies dressed in their undies in the name of The Royal Marines Charitable Trust. When the story ran on the Mail Online, it caused a storm of comments – some critiquing the ‘artistic’ quality of the images, some questioning the tastefulness of the project, and yet others fiercely defensive.
#3
Movember
If you happened to see a number of men walking around with magnificent handlebar moustaches last November, this is why. Commandeering “the month formerly known as November”, as the perfect time of year to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer, Movember makes its point in the most hirsute fashion possible.
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#4
It gets Better
Movember
If you happened to see a number of men walking around with magnificent handlebar moustaches last November, this is why. Commandeering “the month formerly known as November”, as the perfect time of year to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer, Movember makes its point in the most hirsute fashion possible.
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#4
It gets Better
A grassroots response to the suicides of a teenager in the US after being bullied for being gay, the It Gets Better campaign started life as a simple, viral message, reassuring young people that things get better. A YouTube video posted by columnist Dan Savage grew into an international movement backed by Barak Obama, Hilary Clinton, Anne Hathaway and Colin Farrell.
#5
Breast Cancer Awareness
A little bit fun, a little bit provocative (well, alright really quite provocative), the campaign’s invitation to ladies to post status updates completing the sentence “I like it on” generated a craze that swept Facebook during Breast Cancer Awareness month with suggestions such as “I like it on the floor”, “I like it on the kitchen table” etc. In fact, the organisers revealed later, the locations referred to where women place their handbags.
Breast Cancer Awareness
A little bit fun, a little bit provocative (well, alright really quite provocative), the campaign’s invitation to ladies to post status updates completing the sentence “I like it on” generated a craze that swept Facebook during Breast Cancer Awareness month with suggestions such as “I like it on the floor”, “I like it on the kitchen table” etc. In fact, the organisers revealed later, the locations referred to where women place their handbags.
#6
Amnesty TV
Not strictly speaking a campaign we know, but still, a great way to amuse, entertain, and most of all engage followers and newcomers alike with a witty blend of sketches and stunts, put together by some of the funniest folks in the business.
Amnesty TV
Not strictly speaking a campaign we know, but still, a great way to amuse, entertain, and most of all engage followers and newcomers alike with a witty blend of sketches and stunts, put together by some of the funniest folks in the business.
#7
Make Poverty History
The ‘click‘ adverts, intended to appear on TV and radio, were banned by Ofcom in 2005 for being too political. Famous faces from Cameron Diaz to Liam Neeson to Brad Pitt feature in the video, in which each click of their fingers denotes the death of a child from extreme poverty. Despite being banned – or perhaps because of it – the ad generated endless column inches in the press.
Make Poverty History
The ‘click‘ adverts, intended to appear on TV and radio, were banned by Ofcom in 2005 for being too political. Famous faces from Cameron Diaz to Liam Neeson to Brad Pitt feature in the video, in which each click of their fingers denotes the death of a child from extreme poverty. Despite being banned – or perhaps because of it – the ad generated endless column inches in the press.
#8
Unicef
Like Cadburys, who famously ‘own’ the distinctive shade of purple that adorns their products, you too can be the proud owner of your own colour. Teaming up with paint brand Dulux, Unicef is offering everyone the chance to buy one of the 16.7 million colours that make up the spectrum. For £1 donation, you can pick a shade, choose a name, explain why you picked it, and give it a description.
Unicef
Like Cadburys, who famously ‘own’ the distinctive shade of purple that adorns their products, you too can be the proud owner of your own colour. Teaming up with paint brand Dulux, Unicef is offering everyone the chance to buy one of the 16.7 million colours that make up the spectrum. For £1 donation, you can pick a shade, choose a name, explain why you picked it, and give it a description.
#9
Breast Cancer Awareness (again)
Bringing the message to a landmark near you, Breast Cancer Awareness sponsor Estee Lauder has bathed various global sites in a warm pink glow to raise awareness of the disease. From Niagara Falls to the Colosseum to the Empire State Building, the world’s most famous landmarks have been lit up in shades of pink.
Breast Cancer Awareness (again)
Bringing the message to a landmark near you, Breast Cancer Awareness sponsor Estee Lauder has bathed various global sites in a warm pink glow to raise awareness of the disease. From Niagara Falls to the Colosseum to the Empire State Building, the world’s most famous landmarks have been lit up in shades of pink.
#10
Cats Protection
In the name of promoting neutering, Cats Protection tapped into the media zeitgeist earlier this year, staging a super-injunction which prevented the press from naming a “particularly promiscuous” male cat “suspected of having affairs with a number of female cats resulting in the birth of numerous love kittens”. Alas, despite the charity’s best efforts, Victor the cat was named on Twitter.
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Cats Protection
In the name of promoting neutering, Cats Protection tapped into the media zeitgeist earlier this year, staging a super-injunction which prevented the press from naming a “particularly promiscuous” male cat “suspected of having affairs with a number of female cats resulting in the birth of numerous love kittens”. Alas, despite the charity’s best efforts, Victor the cat was named on Twitter.
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