EndSuicideNow.org: Gun
Advertising Agency: Richter7
Creative Director / Copywriter: Gary Sume
Art Director / Illustrator: Jeremy Oviatt
Executive Creative Director: Dave Newbold
Published: December 2008
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15 Comments
probably one of the most difficult subjects to advertise. unless done perfectly, it looks very insincere and out of touch. frankly, this one isn't there yet. for someone to the point of taking their own life, these cutie pie cursors are only delaying them. maybe not this time, but it only takes one. try thinking about why someone would want it to end like this, why people who enjoy life do enjoy life, or if they just need someone to talk to. again, very tough product.
I agree. These are real people with real problems looking for a human to reach out to. These feel like a visual pun rather than a message of hope and understanding.
They're made so people say "wow, nice ad". But they should say "Thank God someone wants to listen".
Definitely. You've made a very good point.
-Natalie
http://www.nataliemarion.com
My thoughts exactly.
You guys absolutely make a valid point.
This right here shows remarkable insight. Somebody get teenie in on this campaign.
- The only thing more rare than a good ad is a good guest comment -
isn't appropriate for this subject matter, but I think you could get away with it by removing the human figure. I think simply taking the human figure out of the composition would do wonders for both of these concepts, actually. Just having a noose hanging over empty space with a pair of computer scissors over it says plenty without a person standing below it.
imagine what droga5 could do.
who cares what droga5 would do?
Droga5??? Imagine what Fallon, circa 1982 could have done!
done by united way using an alcohol bottle and their hand logo.
I do like the colors, idea is okay.
I like Otter Pops.
hi, @ sneakyhands...i totally understand your thought behind it...do send us a link on some of the ads that youve seen that HAVE handled this subject well...as without it, just speculation...as far as this ad goes...someone has put some thought into it, i havent seen it rendered or composed this way, even more reason to enlighten me with some links...thanks sneaky
Everyone,
I think these ads aim at people who suspect their friends or family members may be suicidal... not at a suicidal person.
By all of you guys' logic, unless a single ad can stop suicide as well as therapy can, there's no need for it?
I think endsuicidenow.org just wants people to know that it exists. Family members of people who planned to or even those who had lost their loved ones by suicide may want to help stopping the same tragedy for other families, and so, they can go to that website.
There's no such thing as a magical magazine ad that aims right at the heart of the suicidal person and cure him/her. So don't bother putting this one up to that standard.
-Tung
--good idea is enemy of great idea
I can't speak for everyone but I will speak for myself. I think these are too facile to accomplish much of anything. The problem with suicide is that people are largely unaware of it. It's a vague concept that just exists for other people but doesn't strike home until it ultimately and tragically strikes home.
Not to put to fine of a point on it, but my brother committed suicide in 1997. None of us saw it coming: not his friends, not his family. It's a horrible thing to deal with and the waste that it lays for anyone who knew the person is devastating.
These ads make it look simple. Put a mouse cursor into the barrel of the gun. Click this link and end suicide. It's all art direction and no actual insight. I'm all for advertising suicide prevention; indeed there should be more of it. But it should be something that resonates with people. If I saw this ad the month before my brother killed himself it would likely have made no difference in my mind. It doesn't communicate. There is nothing here about what to look for or what to do if you suspect there might be a problem. It's simply an image that tries to be clever.
- The only thing more rare than a good ad is a good guest comment -
For some reason, showing suicide in anti-suicide advertising actually has the opposite effect. It's well known within the world of the charities and organizations that work with them, and is also why it's so rare to see it in advertising (and reported in the news).