Canon - Creative for a Cause

Thinking

Canon was looking for a brand campaign to create a link between people's passion for creative imagery and people's passion for a cause.

Based on the belief that a single image can change the world, the aim was to inspire New Zealanders through photography to capture an image with the chance to win $25,000 for their nominated charity. DBPR was called upon to engage with charities to secure registrations and drive public awareness of the severe lack of funding that was impacting these charities in the tough economic climate.

What was done

Working closely with Canon Oceania, a dedicated website was developed for Creative for a Cause. On the site charities where able to nominate or be nominated as a potential recipient of the funding. DBPR obtained maximum reach by utilising a Charitable Board to contact registered not-for-profit organisations across the country.

We partnered with five top photographers to populate the site with some example images ready for launch. Kiwis were made aware of the campaign through a comprehensive media strategy to gain mainstream exposure, combined with a major online and social media component to put out the call to action.

DBPR drove the majority of the campaign through Facebook, Twitter, blogs, online photography forums and charity websites, calling for images that best depicted the charities and a public vote for the top 25 images to be judged.

The result

With over 200 New Zealand charities registering and over 800 images uploaded in its inaugural year, the competition was a PR success story. Creative for a Cause generated a phenomenal amount of positive feedback from charities, photographers and the voting public.

The competition also enjoyed significant media coverage including a story on Breakfast TV, an article on page three of the Sunday Star Times and another on the New Zealand Herald website, a two page feature in Photographers Mail and various other print and online mentions.

www.canon.co.nz