Category: Public Service Campaign

Humor

UK “Crime Bosses” Teach Emergency CPR

By Delphine Hirasuna |

Public service announcements (PSAs) mean well, but often times they play on people’s fears, guilt or soft-heartedness to get viewers to pay attention. That’s why these PSAs from the British Heart Foundation are so refreshing. Produced by Grey London and directed by Steve Bendelack, the new Mini Vinnie CPR ad is a sequel to one done featuring British actor/pro football player Vinnie Jones. Embedded in the spoof are some valuable tips on how to give hard and fast hands-only CPR in an emergency. These entertaining ads follow in the tradition of the British Heart Foundation’s PSA, starring British actor/playwright Steven Berkoff on how to identify the symptoms of a heart attack. They are all about stayin’ alive.

Read More »

Illustration

What Are You Looking At?

By Delphine Hirasuna |

Leo Burnett ad agency made clever use of negative space to communicate Fiat’s Don’t Text and Drive message. Those who focus on the large alphabet letters often miss the silhouetted image in the negative black space. It’s a matter of perspective and where your attention is centered: On the letter “R” or the girl with a balloon? The “F” or the bus? The “N” or the dog? The subjects in the negative space are hiding in plain sight, but you have to be alert to see them.

Read More »

Information Graphics

Election Map Point of View

By Delphine Hirasuna |

If you’re like many of us, the more the cable TV news commentators explain how the electoral map of the United States works, the more confused we become. If viewed purely from the perspective of landmass, the red states (Republican) overpower blue states (Democratic), and the all-powerful “swing” states that supposedly will determine the outcome of the national election aren’t that important or trendsetting (sorry, the truth hurts) except during Presidential election years. So, it is enlightening to view this National Public Radio video produced by Adam Cole, although I’m not sure how listeners can see it on the radio. Never mind. If you haven’t voted yet, do. There are just a few hours left to cast your ballot if you are on the West Coast or Hawaii.

Public Service Campaign

Message to Distracted Drivers

By Delphine Hirasuna |

The automobile insurance society (SAAQ) in the French-Canadian province of Quebec has launched a humorous public awareness campaign to warn Quebecers about the dangers of texting and driving. SAAQ estimates that people who text while driving are 20 times more likely to get into an accident. In Quebec, phone-related infractions climbed to 57,000 in 2011 – nearly triple the number from 2008. This is a message where you can laugh and, hopefully, learn.