Park Pictures’ Vincent Haycock directed a call to action in this PSA, “Bystander,” for the “It’s On Us” campaign out of agency Mekanism for The White House and Generation Progress. The “It’s On Us” campaign challenges everyone on campuses to see sexual assault as their personal responsibility to prevent, particularly targeting male students.
In this piece, a male bystander at a campus party keeps an eye on a woman in jeopardy and intervenes to help prevent what might have otherwise escalated into a case of sexual assault.
Credits
Client The White House/Generation Progress Agency Mekanism Jason Harris, CEO/president; David Horowitz, creative director; Eric Zuncic, head of strategy; Albert Ignacio, design director; Caroline Moncure, associate director, brand manager; Kati Haberstock, sr. producer; Sean Cosier, creative technology director; Amber Cope, sr. producer. Production Park Pictures Vincent Haycock, director; Jackie Kelman-Bisbee, Mary Ann Marino, exec producers; Alex Fisch, Caroline Kousidonis, line producers; Lance Acord, DP; John Goldsmith, production designer; Christina Blacklaller, costumes. Editorial White House Post Adam Robinson, editor; Joni Williamson, exec producer; Kristin Branstetter, producer. VFX Carbon Music Squeak E Clean Amy Crilly, sr. producer Audio Eleven Sound Suzanne Hollingshead, exec producer
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
