Cheil & Blippar's #WEcount Campaign Aims to Reclaim London for Women

Cheil London has kickstarted a national campaign for the Women's Equality Party's #WEcount initiative, while launching a digital first to bring the campaign to life on the streets of London with Blippar. 

The #WEcount campaign was launched to allow people to speak out against sexual violence and harassment in London and to reclaim the city for women through an interactive map and social campaign. Due to the success of the campaign, the initiative has now been rolled out across the UK, while a dedicated digital billboard in London also raises awareness of the campaign. 

Women can mark their experiences on an interactive map of the UK by dropping a Google-maps-style pin. In London, this map will be on display for the week on a dedicated billboard at Westfield shopping centre, Shepherd’s Bush.

In a digital first, Cheil London has partnered with visual browsing app Blippar to bring the digital campaign to life for Londoners using physical markers around the city. 

The agency has painted 10 icons around the capital, from the Houses of Parliament to Parliament Hill, which show the Google Maps pin transformed into an exclamation mark. People who blipp the mark will receive a host of content and information about the campaign and incidents connected to the area, raising further awareness of the crimes, available support, and of victims’ stories.

Sophie Walker, Women’s Equality Party leader and London Mayoral candidate, said: “An estimated 400,000 sexual offences against women occur in the UK each year. Despite their frequency, the majority of these, often violent, incidents are unreported, and women are left feeling unsafe and unable to walk without fear on their own streets. 

“It is vital that the victims of sexual harassment and assault have their voices heard as we strive to reclaim the streets for women and put an end to sexual violence once and for all.” 

Caitlin Ryan, Executive Creative Director at Cheil London, said: “It's brilliant that the success of this work means women across the country can lend their voices and experience to the fight against sexual crimes committed in the UK. 

“We truly hope the momentum keeps building in this battle against sexual violence, and that our work with Blippar makes Londoners take notice of the crimes being committed around them.”

Omaid Hiwaizi, President Global Marketing at Blippar, said: “Blippar is designed for people to discover more about the world around them – whether that be inspirational or informative. We believe that #WEcount is both, and we’re delighted to deliver such a powerful message and help women reclaim the streets.”