Havas London has unveiled its first work for The Department for Education (DfE) since winning its teacher recruitment business in May. The campaign highlights that teaching isn’t about what young people become, but who they become–and underscores the role teachers play in shaping young people’s lives.
The :60 “Every Lesson Shapes a Life” is gaining exposure on TV and in cinema. Directed by Pulse Films’ thirtytwo, the emotive film follows the journey of a young girl named Abi, from her very first day of school as a nervous, wide-eyed four-year-old, through to her last, leaving at 18 with the confidence to discover her place in the world.
Credits
Client The Department of Education Agency Havas London Ben Mooge, executive creative director; Lynsey Atkin, creative director/copywriter; Wil Maxey, Elliott white, creatives; Patrick Cahill, joint head of integrated production; Adam Henderson, producer; Natasha King, assistant producer; Ravi Matharu, strategic director; Emmy Stafford, strategist. Production Pulse Films thirtytwo, director; Lucy Kelly, exec producer; George Saunders, producer; Ben Fordesman, DP. Editorial TenTree Ellie Johnson, Billy Mead, editors. Postproduction TimeBased Arts Simone Grattarola, colorist; Jamie Crofts, Flame artist; Josh Robinson, Jo Gutteridge, post producers. Sound Factory Anthony Moore, sound. Jack Hallet, sound. Zebedee Budworth, composer; Mark Stobbart, voiceover. Audio Post Factory alana McLernon, Lucy Spong, audio producers.
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
