Autism Speaks and the Ad Council have launched a public service campaign out of BBDO New York (Autism Speaks’ creative agency partner) designed to encourage parents to recognize and learn the early signs of autism by visiting www.autismspeaks.org/signs.
The centerpiece :60–which recently debuted on broadcast and cable programming as well as Autism Speaks’ social channels–deploys 3D and stop-motion animation inspired by the story of a child named Jacob and his experience living with autism. Jacob did not speak until he was four years old. The animated scenes communicate the signs of autism through metaphors, including lack of eye contact, sensitivity to light, repetitive behavior and delayed speech. The world featured in this PSA was built from scratch by Lobo Productions, and inspired by elements of interviews with Jacob. As example, some of the featured creatures are reflections of Jacob’s real toys.
Credits
Client Autism Speaks Agency BBDO New York David Lubars, chief creative officer, worldwide; Greg Hahn, chief creative officer, NY; Matt MacDonald, executive creative diretor; Mark Anderson, creative director/copywriter; Bianca Guimarães, associate creative director/art director; Whitney Collins, sr. producer; Melissa Chester, executive music producer. Production Lobo Productions, Brooklyn, NY Guilherme Marcondes, director; Loic François Marie Dubois, creative executive producer; Aron Matschulat Aguiar, producer; Alexandre Elaiuy, Vince Vennitti, DPs; Eliza Flores, associate producer; Marcelo Righini, type designer; Carolina Azevedo, digital creative director. (Toolbox: Maya, Nuke) Music/Sound Human New York Audio Post Corey Bauman, mixer.
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
