Shoes. Cars. Alcohol. Jewellery. Takeaway. Everyday we see advertising selling us things we don't really need. Often, what we don't even really want. Some advertisers have decided to go refreshingly in the opposite direction, and sell us nothing. Nothing? You say. Yes, nothing! Instead they try to promote an idea, a social change or movement. Let’s take a look at four great advertising campaigns that focus on social causes.
MS Australia: Need Funding
Installations can work wonders for grabbing people's attention and this one was particularly effective. Focusing on the idea that 'without your donation, research will stop' a scientist sat motionless in a box until a donation was put into the slot, then he came to life mimicking doing research in a lab.
Uncensor China campaign- Amnesty International
In 2008, leading up to the China Olympics, Amnesty International ran a campaign which aimed to put pressure on the Chinese government to work on making life better for its 1.3 billion citizens.'…Saying what you think, confronting authority, standing up for basic rights or just sharing information can leave you imprisoned, tortured or dead.' The campaign focused on internet and media censorship, the death penalty, repression of human rights defenders and torture and detention without trial.
Young Global Leaders Earth Love Movement Foundation: Act Now
Created by advertising agency Jung von Matt/ Alster in 2007 the Act Now advertisement depicts the words 'Act Now' formed out of a flooded civilisation. Its aim is to raise awareness, passion and promote action to change global warming.
Conservation International Colombia: Ice made animals
Another global warming campaign, this time in installation form, was created by DDB/ Key People Columbia and focused on ice caps melting and the animals that are affected. Ice sculptures of animals were put around on sidewalks and allowed to slowly melt. This was seen by over 8000 passersby, and the campaign gained the cause over 1000 emails from people interested in the cause.
There are hundreds more great advertising campaigns out there, focusing on important issues in our world. Rather than trying to sell us more material things we don’t really need, these ads sell important causes.
What other great ads like this have you seen? Comment below or on our Facebook page.
(article written by Courtney Buckingham)
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MS Australia: Need Funding
Installations can work wonders for grabbing people's attention and this one was particularly effective. Focusing on the idea that 'without your donation, research will stop' a scientist sat motionless in a box until a donation was put into the slot, then he came to life mimicking doing research in a lab.
Uncensor China campaign- Amnesty International
In 2008, leading up to the China Olympics, Amnesty International ran a campaign which aimed to put pressure on the Chinese government to work on making life better for its 1.3 billion citizens.'…Saying what you think, confronting authority, standing up for basic rights or just sharing information can leave you imprisoned, tortured or dead.' The campaign focused on internet and media censorship, the death penalty, repression of human rights defenders and torture and detention without trial.Young Global Leaders Earth Love Movement Foundation: Act Now
Created by advertising agency Jung von Matt/ Alster in 2007 the Act Now advertisement depicts the words 'Act Now' formed out of a flooded civilisation. Its aim is to raise awareness, passion and promote action to change global warming.Conservation International Colombia: Ice made animals
Another global warming campaign, this time in installation form, was created by DDB/ Key People Columbia and focused on ice caps melting and the animals that are affected. Ice sculptures of animals were put around on sidewalks and allowed to slowly melt. This was seen by over 8000 passersby, and the campaign gained the cause over 1000 emails from people interested in the cause.There are hundreds more great advertising campaigns out there, focusing on important issues in our world. Rather than trying to sell us more material things we don’t really need, these ads sell important causes.
What other great ads like this have you seen? Comment below or on our Facebook page.
(article written by Courtney Buckingham)
