Directed by Sorrel Brae of Native Content for agency David&Goliath LA, this PSA from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance rallies behind this year’s Earth Day theme “Invest in Our Planet.” It begins with two conservationists in the cold-Arctic winter protecting polar bears, and acknowledging their supporters. They do so by singing a familiar song to us all: “Thank You for Being a Friend.” The song continues to be sung by community-led conservationists in different locations–from duos in the rainforest observing a sloth on a tree, another pair tending to a large tortoise, a rock climber checking in on unhatched owl eggs along a cliff, to a safari conservationist recording an endangered rhino on the savanna. The spot ends with the tagline “Thank you for supporting wildlife conservation. Without you, there’s no them.”
It’s not only a show of gratitude but also an invitation for more people to become friends of wildlife around the world by supporting the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
“Often PSAs can take a serious or dire tone,” said Courtney Pulver, executive creative director at David&Goliath. “But we wanted this campaign to feel more celebratory.”
Ben Purcell, chief creative officer at David&Goliath, added, “With this new take on The Golden Girls theme, we’re pretty sure lifelong animal lover Betty White would be smiling.”