Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new youth-focused creative campaign powered by African stars launches to “draw the line” against malaria, one of humanity’s oldest and deadliest diseases.
The “Draw The Line Against Malaria” campaign is fronted by a team of changemakers coming together to inspire young people from across the African continent and the globe to call on their leaders and push for political action to end malaria within a generation.
The campaign launches four months ahead of the Kigali Summit on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, being held on the eve of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda on June 24. The Summit is a milestone moment in the malaria fight and enabler of game changing political decisions including delivering the commitment to halve malaria across the Commonwealth by 2023.
The “Draw The Line Against Malaria” campaign, which supports the growing Zero Malaria Starts with Me movement, reflects the energy, talent, and cultural influence emanating from the African continent with references to art, fashion, music, sport, and entertainment. The campaign is brought to life through a powerful film produced by Black Dog Films with acclaimed Nigerian director Meji Alabi. The film from agencies dentsuACHTUNG! and Isobar, highlights young people taking charge of their lives and refusing to allow malaria to steal their futures. It is being rolled out on channels and platforms across Africa and features a host of high-level global talent from Africa including:
- Dr Omotola J Ekeinde, Nigerian actress and philanthropist
- Osas Ighodaro, Nigerian American actress and producer
- Eliud Kipchoge, Kenyan athlete, Olympic Gold-medallist and marathon world record-holder
- Siya Kolisi, Captain of the Springboks, South Africa’s World Cup winning rugby team
- Láolú Senbanjo, Nigerian Artist
- Sherrie Silver, award-winning Rwandan British choreographer
At the heart of the campaign is a fresh new universal visual language made up of lines, symbols, and patterns; the “Muundo” has been created by Láolú Senbanjo, global artist from Nigeria and art director for the Draw The Line Against Malaria campaign. The campaign asks people everywhere to visit zeromalaria.org and add a personal line of Muundo art to a growing piece of crowdsourced artwork which represents a visual call to action to world leaders. The artwork will be shared with leaders at the Malaria and NTDs Summit in June.
“This campaign is a beautiful opportunity to change the narrative and to show off the infectious energy, talent and inspiration coming out of Africa right now” said Alabi. “From art, to music, culture and fashion – the influence and creativity is palpable. It’s refreshing to talk about the world’s oldest disease in a new way and to focus on young people because our actions today will help transform their futures. Being Nigerian myself I’ve lost a lot of loved ones to malaria and it is time for this to change.”
CreditsClient Zero Malaria Starts With Me Agency dentsuACHTUNG!, Isobar Daniël Sytsma, Kika Douglas, executive creative directors; Sam Souen, Jasper Janssen, creative directors; Daniel Bunde, creative; Claire Ijsbrandij, Iris Starmans, producers. Production Black Dog Films Meji Alabi, director; Martin Roker, exec producer; Manoela Chiabai, producer; Fabian Vettiger, DP. Production Service Company JM Films Anti Design, production design. Editorial Trim Editing Vid Price, editor. Color Big Buoy Jonny Tully, colorist. Postproduction OneSize Music Consultancy MassiveMusic Sound Design Wave Studio. Soundtrack Muanapoto, Performed by Tshegue; Written & composed by Faty Sy Savanet and Nicolas Dacunha-Castelle 2017 Dakou Studios under exclusive license to EOS Records; Copyright EOS Publishing & Dakou Studios - 2017, Courtesy of Ekler’o’shock and Dakou Studios
The Best Work You May Never See: Ad Council, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, GSD&M, Director Andre Muir Show Us “The Bravest Thing”
As Suicide Prevention Month begins, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Ad Council teamed with agency GSD&M to roll out PSAs for their national campaign: “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” The initiative, which started in 2021, urges Veterans who are facing challenges to visit VA.gov/REACH, a comprehensive website that helps them access the many resources available.
The PSAs, including this one titled “The Bravest Thing,” were directed by Andre Muir of production house SMUGGLER. “The Bravest Thing” acknowledges that it can be hard for Veterans to reach out if they’re struggling--but in the eyes of their loved ones, seeking help is an act of bravery. By featuring Veterans alongside their friends and family, the film encourages Veterans to open up if they’re struggling and reminds everyone that they can play a role in supporting Veterans in their lives.
“When a Veteran is ready to reach out, VA is ready to provide services and support. One of the bravest things Veterans can do is ask for help,” said Dr. Matthew Miller, executive director, VA Office of Suicide Prevention. “These new messages are powerful and compassionate additions to the ‘Don’t Wait. Reach Out.’ campaign that features the voices of loved ones, underscoring the vital role that family and friends play in supporting Veterans. We all play a role in suicide prevention and this call to action engages community and connections, which are crucial in preventing Veteran suicide. Through this campaign, we can spread hope that Veterans, and all of us, can overcome crises and difficult life challenges.”
6,392 Veterans lost their lives to suicide in 2021, according to the latest data from the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.... Read More