Whybin\TBWA\Tequila, Melbourne tasked to create world’s longest video chain letter for ICAN to mark the 65th anniversary of Hiroshima

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Screen shot 2010-08-05 at 7.17.16 PM.pngCoinciding with the 65th anniversary of the Hiroshima bomb, Whybin\TBWA\Tequila, Melbourne has launched an emotive pro bono campaign for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear weapons (ICAN), which will drive worldwide support for the worthwhile cause.

Whybin\TBWA\Tequila’s ‘Millionpleas’ campaign seeks to create theworld’s longest video chain letter driving support on both a local andinternational scale. Following the launch of www.millionpleas.com,the campaign will ask supporters to upload their pleas and share withfriends and family to build support for the cause. All pleas will beedited into a long virtual chain letter, which will act as a petitiondirected to political leaders calling for the total abolishment ofthese weapons.

ICAN is a global grassroots movement for total nuclear disarmamentthrough a legally binding and verifiable Nuclear Weapons Convention.The aim is to inspire political leaders throughout the world tonegotiate a treaty abolishing these weapons of mass destruction, beforethey are used again.

The campaign will launch on TV Friday 6 August, with radio, print,online and below the line activities to roll out nationally.  

The creative behind the campaign is simple and will play on theemotional heartstrings of Australians. The TVC was filmed in Hiroshimawith a group of primary school children addressing each of the ninecountries still in possession of nuclear weapons. A Hiroshima bombsurvivor delivers the final words in video – reinforcing the compellingmessage that these weapons are a cause for real danger.

Dimity Hawkins, Campaign Director for ICAN Australia, says they look forward to seeing the results from this campaign: “Today marks the 65th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing which killedthousands of innocent civilians. We are confident the message willreally resonate with Australians, who have frequently demonstratedtheir compassion in the face of global disasters. We are very gratefulfor the support of Whybin\TBWA\Tequila and are very pleased with thelaunch of www.millionpleas.com.”

“Today, there are estimated to be 23,300 nuclear weapons held by justnine nations, so this campaign provides a much needed voice for theoverwhelming majority of people throughout the globe who supportnuclear abolition.”

Commenting on the campaign, Whybin\TBWA\Tequila chairman/executive creative director Scott Whybin said: “An issue like this goes beyondthe capabilities of an advertising campaign to facilitate action. Itrequires the power of people to create change. It is the most importantthing we have done and ultimately the most important thing anyone cando. We invite everyone to demonstrate their support and be part of themovement for nuclear disarmament.”

The worldwide campaign is supported by Desmund Tutu, Malcolm Fraser and Jodie Williams – Nobel Peace prize Winner.

Credits – all pro-bono:

Production Company: 8 Commercials

Director: Brendan Williams

Producer: Annie Schutt

Creative:  Whybin TBWA Australia

Creative: Scott Whybin, Rob Hibbert, Justine Gallagher.  

Producer:  Lauren Duncan

Account Service:  Hazel Tiernan, Steve Wren

Digital: Tequila

Creative Director; Russ Tucker

Producer; Jacob Whitey

Developer; Michael McGylnn

Designer; Jeffrey Mok

Delivery Director; David Cox

Media:  PHD