High Five: Perspective-Shifting PSAs
I believe that we, as media makers, have a responsibility to use the attention that our work is granted (what I lovingly refer to as eyeball time), to better the world. We have the power to shift perspectives, open hearts and change minds - for good! When I see others doing this in compelling ways, it inspires me to keep doing this work! Here are my top five...
'Mars Sucks'
Agency - Activista
Paco Conde and Beto Fernandez at Activista hit it out of the park with this spot. One might say the client for this one is the human species. This piece is simple, elegant, witty, and hits you right where it hurts. It’s a first-person manifesto from the POV of our home planet. I can’t say enough about its simple genius. It was released just in time for Earth Day this year, and is part of a larger 'Mars Sucks' campaign, aimed at all those billionaires hyping Mars as the new Earth. Take that, Elon!
Sandy Hook Promise - 'Do You Know the Signs?'
Agency: BBDO New York
Production: SMUGGLER
Director: Henry-Alex Rubin
Post: No 6
Sound: Heard City
This piece gives us concrete examples of how we so often miss the writing on the wall. We’ve all heard the news stories about school shooters who were loners, obsessed with guns, bullied and more, but this spot makes it painfully obvious how easy it is to ignore these signs, to ignore what’s right in front of us - the signs that could save lives.
'Tea and Consent'
Production & Post: Blue Seat Studios
This spot launched in the midst of the #MeToo movement to make a simple point, using a simple metaphor and simple line drawings. The brilliance of the writing is in how beautifully and clearly it makes its point about a serious topic, while finding the space for humour. The animation style and choice of metaphor help to give the audience enough emotional distance from the topic to be able to stomach both the wit and the message. And of course, the natural and matter-of-fact narration by Graham Wheeler is spot on.
Netflix - 'Kiss the Ground'
Production: Benenson Productions x Big Picture Ranch x Kiss the Ground x The Redford Center
Directors: Joshua Tickell x Rebecca Harrell Tickell
This is the film that first got me passionate about regenerative agriculture and how it is one of the key solutions to climate change. This film is a PSA in documentary form and it has inspired countless people to shift how they think about the soil beneath our feet. Watch this film and see what it inspires you to do - you just might be amazed!
UN Environment Programme - 'It’s Not Me, It’s You'
Agency: PCI Media Impact
Production & Post: ALL OF US FILMS
Director: Benjamin Ryan Nathan x Robert Gregson
In the classic rom-com, this piece follows Sandra as she realises she’s been in a toxic relationship and needs to get out. This comical take on a serious topic allows viewers to take a more critical look at their own actions (or inactions), and make new, healthier choices.
In the classic rom-com, this piece follows Sandra as she realises she’s been in a toxic relationship and needs to get out. This comical take on a serious topic allows viewers to take a more critical look at their own actions (or inactions), and make new, healthier choices.
