In the Company of Huskies has launched an emotional new campaign with Ireland’s biggest charity St. Vincent de Paul (SVP). Called ‘Save someone from a life of poverty” it juxtaposes the saddening reality of the long-term effects of poverty on young people’s lives and the positive impact made possible through donations.
In two 30-second TVCs, the campaign shows the real-life impact of SVP’s support to individuals and families who have been struck by poverty. The idea is based on two different stories exploring the same basic idea of the long-term effects of poverty on young people lives.
In one film, viewers see an exam hall full of students, but with one empty desk. In a sombre tone, the narrator tells us that the student’s mother had her work hours cut. The boy had to miss a crucial exam just to keep food on the table. The exam has begun and there’s little hope of him making it. In an emotional turn, the door opens, he arrives and is able to sit the test. Through donations made to the charity, he is saved from a life of poverty.
In the Company of Huskies continues its partnership with SVP having created the multi award-winning platform ‘A yes can last a lifetime’ for the charity in 2015. The campaign had a significant impact in Ireland and saw the agency bag two silver awards for Long Term Effectiveness and for Public Service, Social Welfare & Education at the recent ADFX 2018.
According to Nessa Van Rooyen, Group Account Director, In the Company of Huskies: “This campaign builds on the success of the previous one by maintaining fundraising at its core. In a crowded market, we have shown the real-life, life-changing support that the charity provides for people in need only made possible through the donations that individuals make.”
“Importantly, In the Company of Huskies had to navigate a new challenge for this year’s campaign by raising awareness of the new face of poverty, she adds.
“In Ireland, there is a lack of understanding about what modern day poverty is. Poverty is changing, and the types of people seeking SVP’s help are diverse with different problems compared to other years. Poverty is closer to us than we think. There’s also a perception that it’s an unsolvable problem. In this campaign we had to change the narrative of these perceptions in the stories we told.”
“A real challenge for SVP is reminding the public that although the economy has picked up, 780,000 people (16% of the population) are still in consistent poverty,” says Nichola Mullen, Head of Fundraising at SVP.
“We needed a creative campaign that showed the public what poverty really looks like on a daily basis. In the Company of Huskies did an excellent job on this by focusing on children and how they miss out because their parents are struggling. The adverts also have a positive side, which is important at Christmas, that shows the direct impact donations will have on saving people from poverty.”
The full campaign includes two 30-second TVCs, two 10-second cuts, radio, press and posters running on OOH, digital and social. ‘Save someone from a life of poverty’ was launched on 14th November 2018.
Credits:
Client – St. Vincent de Paul
Kieran Stafford – National President
Nichola Mullen – Head of Fundraising
Deborah Costello – National Fundraising Team
Daniel Alvey – National Fundraising Team
Andy Heffernan – National Secretary
Creative Agency – In the Company of Huskies
Damian Hanley – Creative Director
Brian Daly – Head of Production
Nessa van Rooyen – Group Account Director
Laura Cronin – Producer
Eamonn Finn – Designer
Production company – Antidote Films
Director- James Fitzgerald
Producer – Andrew Freedman
Photography: Donal Moloney Photography
Post Production – Windmill Lane Pictures
Editor- Lee Hickey
Sound- No. 4
