The Ad Council and the Department of Veterans Affairs have launched “Don’t Wait. Reach Out,” a national campaign encouraging struggling combat veterans to seek support before their challenges become overwhelming.
Created by TBWAChiatDay New York, “Don’t Wait. Reach Out” was informed by extensive research with veterans. And depicting a diverse range of veterans, all actors are portrayed by real vets and through casting nearly every branch of service is represented.
This centerpiece PSA, “Boil,” was directed by Jovan Todorovic of Anonymous Content.
CreditsClient Ad Council/Department of Veterans Affairs Agency TBWAChiatDay New York Chris Beresford-Hill, chief creative officer; Ricard Valero, executive creative director; Lauren Byers, art director; Wes Rhodes, associate copywriter; John Doris, head of production; Chris Klein, executive producer; Jessica Fiore, sr. integrated producer; Jennifer Kung, strategy director; Kate Fallon, strategist; James Sowden, chief strategy officer. Production Anonymous Content Jovan Todorovic, director; Eric Stern, managing director; SueEllen Clair, exec producer; Kerry Haynie, head of production; Laura Miller, producer. Editorial Uppercut Milenz Z. Petrovic, editor; Lisa Houck, managing director; Nicholas Markus, producer; Devin Steven, assistant editor. Grading The Mill Mikey Rossiter, colorist; Claudia Gaspar, producer
NHS England, M&C Saatchi UK, Director Tom Tagholm Team On PSA Highlighting The Overlooked Signs Of A Stroke
National Health Service (NHS) England has unveiled a multichannel campaign, “Act FAST,” to raise awareness of the individual signs of a stroke and get people to call 999 as soon as they suspect they may be experiencing any one symptom. The push, which is part of the ongoing “Help Us, Help You” campaign, was developed in partnership with M&C Saatchi UK.
The campaign depicts everyday situations where everything might seem relatively normal, but where there’s the sign of someone experiencing a stroke.
A key component of the campaign is this :30--directed by Tom Tagholm of Various Films--which sets up the idea that initially, a stroke might not seem like much, highlighting key symptoms: from struggling to use a paint roller, to not being able to smile when watching TV, to slurring your speech when reading a story to your grandchild. The PSA emphasizes that time is critical, ending with the line: “Face or arm or speech, at the first sign, it’s time to call 999.”
Jo Bacon, Group CEO, M&C Saatchi UK, said, “We want to ensure people take action on the first symptom, rather than waiting for more conclusive signs. To help them understand that even when everything seems normal, something serious might be happening.”
Matt Lee, executive creative director, M&C Saatchi UK, commented: “This is important work. We wanted to explore that precise moment when your world shifts, quietly yet powerfully, off its axis during a stroke. We highlight how a tiny external moment can actually be seismic—an extraordinary gear change, framed in a really ordinary way.”
Director Tagholm shared, “My Dad suffered a stroke a few years ago and was saved from the worst by acting quickly, and by the work of the NHS. So there’s... Read More