2019 Winners & Shortlists

Why is this work relevant for Integrated?

Our campaign is relative to integrated because we built a fully immersive ecosystem for the public. The campaign began with a large, scale ambient experiential design that peaked interest and garnered media attention. This was supported by an out of campaign that gave further meaning and drove the conversation online. In the online space the microsite provided more information and an outlet for the public to sign the petition. While, on social media users generated/brand led content to drove further awareness..

Describe any restrictions or regulations regarding Healthcare communications in your country/region (imposed by healthcare regulatory bodies, government, TV stations, etc.)

Although there were not clear restriction or regulations concerning the issue, the topic is purposely shrouded in misinformation and the public lacked the factual information to make a truly informed decision.

Describe the target audience

The primary target audience is those who live or work within the area that will be affected by the planned incinerators. The second audience is the public who are concerned with their wellbeing. Our work is relative because we caused mass awareness and directly illustrated where/who will be affected.

Background

For the past 3 years, Lebanon has been crippled by a major garbage crisis. To make matters worse, the Lebanese Government has deliberately kept the people of Lebanon in the dark, with its intentions to build harmful incinerators, which would further affect the environment, increase pollution drastically and put the lives and wellbeing of the Lebanese people at risk. We needed to take action and make this invisible danger visible to the people of Lebanon.

Describe the creative idea

We created the Toxic Flag – a 35-metre high art installation, that could be seen from across Beirut, that spewed black smoke into the sky. Raised high, the flag gave the people of the city a very real and vivid glimpse of the future that awaited the country, once the incinerators were operational. While the smoke was non-toxic and environmentally friendly, the flag, inspired by John Gerrard’s art, immediately became the symbol of Lebanon’s dark and dire tomorrow. Visible from all areas that would be affected by the incinerators, it immediately sparked the conversation in Lebanese households and highlighted the need for alternate and safer options for garbage disposal.

Describe the strategy

The people of Lebanon are fiercely patriotic and love their country. This fierce pride is what made us use the flag as a means to communicate our message. We wanted the Lebanese people to view the Toxic Flag as symbol and a grim reminder of what was to become of their country, if the adoption of incinerators went unopposed. It would also shock the country into reacting to an issue that they’ve long grown apathetic towards.

Describe the execution

We created 35-metre high flag, and raised it near the site of a planned waste incinerator at Beirut. The flag and its smoke could be seen across Beirut, and immediately generated massive curiosity and interest. Additionally we created an outdoor campaign that constantly reminded the people of Lebanon about the impact these incinerators would have on the future. The outdoors only showed within the danger zone (the zone in which people would be negatively affected by the incinerators). Messaging drove people to StopTheIncinerators.me, a website to sign the petition to secure a healthier and brighter future for Lebanon.

List the results

-200M media impressions -$1M+ earned media -70%+ rise in public awarenessFront page news story for several daily newspapers -Featured on every major news channels in the country -Toxic Flag was presented and debated on the floor of parliament -Plans for three incinerators have been suspended indefinitely.