End Family Fire, a joint effort from Brady and the Ad Council, aims to encourage safe gun storage by putting a name to the preventable tragedies that occur when guns are misused. “Family fire,” a term developed for the campaign, refers to a shooting involving an improperly stored or misused gun found in the home that results in death or injury. Incidents include suicides, unintentional shootings, and other gun-related tragedies.
The public service campaign aims to bring awareness to the issue of family fire, give gun owners a role in gun violence prevention, and encourage a national dialogue around safe storage practices—-all of which can help prevent tragedy.
A key component in the pro bono campaign from ad agency McKinney is this PSA which immerses the viewer in the first-person perspective of a video game to highlight the fact that “with gun suicide, there is no extra life.” The :30 was directed by Chris Jones of Zoic Studios.
“We found a huge audience of gun owners out there doing nearly everything right—but also keeping at least one loaded gun at hand, thereby leaving their family vulnerable to the unique agony of gun suicide,” said CJ Franzitta, group strategy director, McKinney. “By ensuring every firearm is properly secured, they can protect against that outcome.”
Credits
Client Ad Council, Brady Agency McKinney, Durham, NC, NY, Los Angeles Jonathan Cude, chief creative officer; Alex Shulhafer, Jenny Nicholson, group creative directors; Jade Song, art director; Chase Condrone, copywriter; CJ Franzitta, group strategy director; Brian LoPiccolo, director, data strategy; Brianna Calderon-Roman, data strategist; Naomi Newman, executive broadcast producer; Taylor Osborne, associate broadcast producer; Kara O’Halloran, integrated producer; Maggie Baker, digital producer; Will Knowles, developer; Alec Kunkel, digital generalist. Production Zoic Studios Chris Jones, director; Julien Brami, creative director; Jason Cohon, exec producer; Sabrina Harrison, sr. producer; Ivan Barahona, associate producer; Christina Murguia, CG supervisor; Andrew Bardusk, compositing supervisor; Dave Funston, lead animator; Delano Athias, previs; Laura Cosner, layout artist; Shamus McGlyn, Renato Eiras, model/texture; Bill Spradlin, sr. lighter; Pascal Polic, Peter Scott, lighters. Audio Trailblazer Studios Willie Elias, CAS, sr. engineer, sound designer-director of audio post. Photography Antonio De Lucci Studio Antonio De Lucci, photographer
White Ribbon has launched its “My Friend, Max Hate” campaign in Canada featuring this public service film that follows the journey of a young, isolated boy who becomes influenced by a misogynistic online puppet, “Max Hate.” The PSA reveals how online figures in the manosphere--a network of online communities promoting hateful, misogynistic rhetoric which fuels attitudes among young men and boys that contribute to gender-based violence.
“It’s alarming to see the growing impact of the manosphere and how they are conditioning vulnerable populations such as teens, particularly young men,” said Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon CEO. “These misogynistic online groups have existed for years, but their influence has grown under controversial figures, driving an increase in gender-based violence. With the My Friend, Max Hate campaign, our goal is to expose the damaging influence of misogynistic figures and raise awareness, particularly among young men who are often drawn into these toxic online communities.”
Launching two weeks before Safer Internet Day (February 11), the campaign--from Toronto agency Bensimon Byrne--underscores the importance of online safety and protecting youth through clear content boundaries.
White Ribbon is creating an online resource hub that educates individuals on how to recognize harmful online groups and provides support for young men and boys seeking to escape. Additionally, the campaign will launch a TikTok account, @max_hate_, featuring the PSA ‘My Friend, Max Hate’ puppet to expose how these figures gain influence and spread hate in a space that reaches those most influenced, young men.
The PSA was directed by Angie Bird via Toronto-based Westside Studio.
