University Health Network (UHN), a leading publicly funded hospital, maintains the UHN Foundation which raises funds for Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehab and The Michener Institute of Education.
In partnership with creative agency Zulu Alpha Kilo, the UHNITED platform was launched in January 2024 to spotlight the world-renowned institutions and people working together under the UHN umbrella to achieve never-been-done advancements in healthcare. Phase two of the campaign continues to showcase UHN’s global impact and emphasizes the crucial role of donations in supporting this work.
Directed by Brent Foster and produced via production house BOLDLY, this spot features real UHN employees, donors, and some of the patients whose lives were positively impacted at UHN. These inspiring and life-changing moments trigger literal impact waves that spread across the hospital, the city, and beyond–a metaphor for UHN’s impact on healthcare around the world. The deeper story behind each scene can be read online.
“UHN is always redefining the status quo of healthcare, but it all starts with donations. This campaign aims to show donors that it takes a city to change to the world,” said Brian Murray, chief creative officer at Zulu Alpha Kilo.
Credits
Client University Health Network (UHN)/UHN Foundation Agency Zulu Alpha Kilo Brian Murray, Jenny Glover, chief creative officers; Stephanie Yung, chief design officer; Dejan Djuric, design director; Juan Torres, creative director/art director; Dane Boaz, creative director/copywriter; Maxine Thomas, chief strategy officer; Meredith Ferguson, strategy director; Kiana Ohori, digital strategist; Ola Stodulska, director of integrated production; Kasia Zaniuk, sr. producer; Ian McCartney, integrated producer. Production Brent Foster, director. Production Company BOLDLY Sebastien Galina, exec producer. Postproduction Zulubot Alain Elliott, Max Lawlor, editors; Adrian Gluvakovich, assistant editor; Sarah Dayus, exec producer; Katie Oliver, post producer. VFX The Embassy VFX Winston Helgason, president; Kenny Solomon, VFX exec producer; Sami Oms, VFX supervisor; Gina McCoubrey, VFX producer. Color Grade AlterEgo Wade Odlum, colorist. Music House Oso Audio Hannah Graham, exec producer; Jane Heath, producer; Dylan Groff, engineer; Daenen Bramburger, music director/creative director; Katie Corbridge, voice director; Brandon Oakes, voiceover talent. Studio Production Company Zulubot Bravo henry Eugenio, studio production director; Pavel Petrycki, Ashleigh O’Brien, artists; Kenneth Haz, digital production director; Kelly Sun, digital production interactive producer.
The Ad Council, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and AdoptUSKids, launched a public service campaign, created pro bono by Edelman, which aims to inspire prospective parents to consider adopting a teen from foster care.
This centerpiece PSA titled “The Rewards”--directed by The Hudson Dusters (Michael Kuhn and Niles Roth) via Greenpoint Pictures--spotlights real adoptive families who have personally experienced the mutual benefits of adoption. This longer form PSA (and cutdown versions) begins with a touching display of openness and vulnerability as adoptive parents reflect on their adoption journeys and their initial questions and hesitations about adopting a teen. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, the adoptive parents witness their children recounting the profound rewards of adoption in their lives. The teens speak of the love they share with their parents and how the decision to become a family is reciprocal. The campaign directs viewers to the AdoptUSKids website to learn more about adopting a teen from foster care.
