Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is launching a PSA campaign across the Lower Mainland designed to recruit women to volunteer for Big Sisters, a non-profit organization that pairs girls with women who can offer guidance and support.
The intention of the campaign is to dispel the misconception by many women that being a Big Sister requires a significant time commitment, which is often cited as the reason why women choose not to volunteer.
Developed pro bono by DDB Canada‘s Vancouver office, the integrated PSA campaign features playful TV, radio, and print creative, supported by social media and PR, which accurately demonstrate that “Being a Big Sister takes less time than you think.” Lisa Chen-Wing, a mother and an art director, who revealed she was a Big Sister Study Buddy, brought the idea to fruition.
“Here is a mother who’s managing to raise her own child while pursuing a career in an unquestionably demanding industry, and yet she still finds time to volunteer. That’s an admirable story that needs to be told,” said Dean Lee, creative director, DDB Canada Vancouver. “We just kept thinking if she can do it, there is no excuse why others can’t.”
To demonstrate how little time it takes to make a difference in a girl’s life, DDB Canada created the shortest messages possible in any given media: seven second TV ads, five second radio ads, Tweets and small space print ads. The ads are just long enough to feature a Big Sister giving a young girl advice, reinforcing the fact that being a Big Sister may take less time than you think.
“The brief length of the creative cleverly mirrors the message of the campaign, while still making it accessible for broadcast media to play and help raise awareness of Big Sisters’ need for volunteers,” said Lee.
This week’s “Best Work” entry is one of those assorted seven-second TV spots. We open on a girl and her Big Sister. She asks, “What if he doesn’t like me?”
The Big Sister replies, “Like his friend.”
The girl appreciates the advice. “Good idea,” she says.
A parting slogan appears on screen, which reads, “Being a Big Sister takes less time than you think.”
Directors were Jon & Torey of Family Style Productions.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More