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REPUBLICA HAVAS , Miami / THE FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION / 2024
Awards:
Overview
Credits
Why is this work relevant for Direct?
This work seeks immediate reaction from people. We proposed a stimulus, and people received it, reacting in real-time to that stimulus. Not only those present in the stadium but also the hundreds of thousands watching on TV or following the game on social media. We generated a stimulus related to experiencing firsthand the symptoms of Alzheimer's, such as confusion of names. People exposed to this confusion momentarily feel what a patient with this symptom experiences. The message reaches all viewers directly, and they react to it in real time.
Please provide any cultural context that would help the Jury understand any cultural, national or regional nuances applicable to this work.
Soccer in Argentina is the most important sport in the country. Millions of fans follow their clubs and the professional soccer league every Sunday, where the matches are played, and also every day of the week on TV, streaming, radio programs, press, social networks, etc. The fanaticism for soccer is total, even more so being the last world champion in Qatar 2022 and having been chosen in that same Soccer World Cup as the best fans in the world. Also the best player, Lionel Messi, the Best Goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez and the revelation player of the World Cup, Enzo Fernández. The fanaticism was already total, but the passion increased 100% after the World Cup.
Background
Every year, more than 10 million people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. While the general public is aware of Alzheimer’s, there is little awareness of the debilitating effects of one of its most pronounced symptoms: name confusion. The objective was to raise awareness about this symptom – one of the first the disease produces— to be vigilant and not dismiss it as if it were a simple confusion. Knowing how to identify this symptom is an incredibly important step toward yielding an early diagnosis, which gives people the tools to manage the disease better and provide optimal care for their loved ones much sooner.
Describe the creative idea
The idea is that for both those attending the match and those following the game on TV or social during one of the most important matches of the Argentine Professional League, people could experience first-hand one of the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, which is the confusion of names. We did this by switching the players' last names on the backs of their jerseys in real-time, at the match, and shared the activation across multiple channels.
Describe the strategy
Our strategy was to create an immediate and far-reaching impact on millions of people by sharing a clear message about Alzheimer’s and one of its first symptoms -name confusion. And we had to do it where no one would see it coming in order to give people an authentic, first-hand experience of the symptom. We chose a time and a place where intense attention was already captured – a high-profile soccer match with more than 40,000 fans in the stadium and millions watching at home or on their devices. Because A.L.M.A. is a non-profit, the strategy also needed to have organic reach and amplification built-in. With hundreds of media outlets covering the match and high interaction on socials providing maximum amplification in real-time, the goal of the live experience was to generate tons of earned media and conversation organically.
Describe the execution
Before the match on Racing Club's social accounts we published a photo where we see the Jerseys but the numbers of those playing that day were correct, but the last names were switched.
After we posted another photo with the formation of the 11 starters that were playing that day but with the last names switched.
The stadium screens showed players’ faces, but the last names were wrong. The announcer through the speakers also said the correct numbers but with names that were switched.
All was resolved when the players took a photo while holding a banner with this message:
“Name confusion is one of the main symptoms of Alzheimer's and if you feel this you should contact ALMA.”
It all happened in the live official broadcast of ESPN. On social we also posted a video of the two most important players of the squad explaining what had happened.
List the results
In less than a week, this live activation campaign generated:
• More than 179MM earned media impressions
• 98% positive sentiment (2% neutral)
• 400% increase in A.L.M.A.’s social media impressions
Never in history has A.L.M.A. had so many inquiries or so many interactions on its humble social networks.
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