Powerful Print Campaign for IFEX Fights for Protection of Civic Spaces

IFEX-The global network defending and promoting free expression, is using the occasion of World Press Freedom Day to launch a global campaign promoting the value of protecting civic spaces and raising awareness about how essential they are in preserving democracy. (A civic space is anywhere people can organise and communicate freely and, in doing so, influence the political and social structures around them.) World Press Freedom Day is a natural fit with this effort as press freedom is critical to preserving civic space. IFEX is the leading global network of organisations that defend and promote the right to freedom of expression and information. It is headquartered in Toronto, ON and has more than 100 member organisations globally.

Good&Ready is a branding and advertising agency that has created many award-winning campaigns for social causes - including campaigns promoting freedom of expression. Working on the IFEX civic space effort was a natural fit for them. The agency was founded by a creative partnership that is 20 plus years in the making. Terry Drummond and Alan Madill have won industry awards for multiple national and international campaigns. They have worked on brands in every imaginable category including: financial, automotive, telecommunications, food, cosmetics, retail, sports apparel, and fund-raising/appeals. The agency offers clients a seamless one stop solution for brand design and advertising across multiple platforms. 

A kit to save democracy. 

“The campaign created by Good&Ready is really a template for our more than 100 member organisations to use to make their own campaigns,” says Annie Game, executive director of IFEX. “Imagine hundreds of localised campaigns, taking place all at once, all around the world. We can truly have a global impact this way. And all the assets will be very consistent even though they have been authored by 100s of creators - it will be really powerful,” continued Annie.  

Complex subject simplified. 

“Civic spaces are a difficult concept to talk about, says Terry Drummond, partner, creative at Toronto agency Good&Ready. “It’s not a term that you hear every day. But they are essential to our freedom and they are being attacked on multiple fronts,” Terry added. Attacks on the press and journalists is just the tip of the iceberg,” continues Terry, “there are Internet shutdowns, misinformation and disinformation campaigns, censorship, protest shutdowns, the list goes on…” The Good&Ready team is excited to see how the campaign is picked up and adapted globally. “The power of this sort of campaign can be employed quickly in response to an attack against freedom of expression. That’s when it will have the greatest impact,” says Terry.