Right to Play Takes a Stand on Child Oppression in ‘We Rise’
New campaign shines a spotlight on the daily atrocities endured by millions of children every day.
Non-for-profit organization Right to Play has launched a new awareness campaign aimed at helping one of the world’s most oppressed groups rise above the injustices they are subjected to daily.
Created by BBDO Toronto, the “We Rise” campaign envisions a better world for the hundreds of millions of children being robbed of their childhood by inhumane practices including child labour, child marriage and being forced to become child soldiers.
Bismack Biyombo, NBA Center for the Charlotte Hornets and Canadian Spokesperson for this campaign has a personal connection to the organization. “Basketball gave me my opportunity in life,” says Bismack. “That’s what Right To Play is doing for children. These kids face similar obstacles to the ones I face and more. I want to support Right To Play by impacting and inspiring kids who, for the most part have been forgotten.”
The campaign aims to give these oppressed children their own movement by shining a light upon the horrific circumstances these children face every day. From inhumane factory environments to child trafficking – many of their futures are severely limited by violence, exploitation and inequality. Through play-based learning, Right to Play empowers children to rise above these challenges and find their way back to hope.
“While this organization is not on the front lines providing food and medicine to keep people alive,” said BBDOs Chief Creative Officer, Denise Rossetto, “their sole purpose is to empower these children, ultimately giving them a reason to live.”
The campaign includes three films and is anchored by a 90-second “Anthem” spot built around images of young children forced into cruel situations at the hands of adults. The images are accompanied by a voiceover, presented as slam poetry, which begins, “They think they can traffic us, abuse us, marry us and use us. They think that our futures are their own to shape, that they can determine our God-given fate.”
As the spot progresses, the children begin standing up and taking control of their destiny, while the voiceover states, “We’re not your cheap labour, we’re not your child brides, we’re not poor kids with some flies in our eyes. We won’t just stand by while the world lets us die. No! We rise.”
The second 60-second spot, “Games Over Guns,” focuses on the plight of approximately 300,000 child soldiers around the world. And the third film, “Resignation Letter,” features a young girl describing the daily horrors of working in a clothing sweat shop as she walks to her boss’s office to deliver a resignation letter she has learned to craft by going to school.
All three spots conclude with the super “Every child should have the right to rise” and directs viewers to the Right to Play website where they can learn more and donate to the charity.
Founded in 1994 by former Olympic gold medalist Johann Olav Koss, Right to Play reaches 1.9 million children in 15 countries each week, through programs that promote protection, education and empowerment.
CREDITS
Campaign title: We Rise
Client: Right to Play
Agency: BBDO Toronto
Chief Creative Officers: Denise Rossetto, Todd Mackie
VP, Group Account Director: Rebecca Flaman
VP, Brand Planner: Tom Kenny
Copywriter: Domenique Raso
Art Director: Anand Iyer
Account Director: Jaya Rizzi
Account Supervisor: Sagi Mamalider
Design: Mike Nugent
Broadcast Producer: Dena Thompson
Production Company: Skin & Bones
Director: Mark Zibert
Editorial: The Assembly
Editors: David James Findlay, Marka Rankovic
Music, voice direction & sound design: Pirate Toronto
Colour & VFX: Alter Ego
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