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Top 6: May 27th 2020
To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, the significant life experiences young people are missing out on this May—from prom to graduation, or new jobs and moving out—and the mental health challenges they may be facing, the Seize the Awkward campaign is launching a brand new music video and a suite of digital, social, radio and broadcast assets giving young people the inspiration, language and tools to check in with their friends and support their mental health. The national award-winning campaign, a collaboration between the Ad Council, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and The Jed Foundation (JED), and created pro bono by creative agency Droga5, emphasises that just because we’re physically distant doesn’t mean teens and young adults should remain socially distant. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults and for every youth suicide it is estimated that 100-200 others attempt suicide. Young adulthood is a critical time when many people experience mental health issues as well as significant stress from life transitions such as gaining more independence and responsibility when moving from home and beginning college or a career. Right now, it’s crucial that young people check in with their friends. Recent Ad Council Covid-19 research shows that, compared to older adults, young people report feeling more negative emotions such as isolation and depression related to Covid-19. ‘Whatever Gets You Talking’ showcases the variety of ways young people can start and continue conversations about mental health with their friends, whether that be through a GIF, emoji, call or text.
Credits
Other credits
Client
Client: Ad Council
Head of Campaign Development: Heidi Arthur
SVP, Campaign Development: Deborah Leiter
Campaign Director: Hannah Strashun
Campaign Manager: Francine Simeon
SVP, Marketing & Communications: Ellyn Fisher
Director, Marketing & Communications: Shirley Yeung
Assistant Manager, Marketing & Communications: Naomi Woolfenden
Manager, Talent Relations & Partnerships: Lina Renzina
Assistant Manager, Talent Partnerships: Helena Emmanuel
Director, Strategy & Evaluation: Julia Blumenstyk
Director, Media Strategy: Greg Kelly
Director, Digital Product Management: Rebecca Mir
Digital Product Manager: Carolina Treviño
Campaign Analyst: Dean Meisel
Agency
Executive Design Director: Rich Greco
Designer: Ashley Legiadre
Motion Design Lead: Mike Gaynor
Sr. Project Manager: Stephen Gontzes
Chief Creation Officer: Sally-Ann Dale
Director of Film Production: Jesse Brihn
Director of Interactive Production: Tasha Cronin
Interactive Producer: Aaron Matys
Director of Art Production: Cliff Lewis
Sr. Art Producer: Dagmar Wong
Art Producer: Caroline Fahey
Sr. Music Supervisor: Mike Ladman
Director of Business Affairs: Dan Simonetti
Sr. Business Affairs Manager & Celebrity Talent Relations Lead: Whitney Vose
Sr. Business Affairs Manager: Shaunda Slade
Talent Manager: Sunny Valencia
Global Chief Strategy Officer: Jonny Bauer
Head of Strategy: Harry Román-Torres
Sr. Strategist: Graham Jones
Campaign Sponsor: The Jed Foundation
Executive Director, CEO: John MacPhee
Chief Medical Officer: Victor Schwartz, M.D.
Chief Programs and Operations Officer: Katie Cunningham
Program Coordinator: Crystal Su
Campaign Sponsor: AFSP
CEO: Robert Gebbia
Chief Medical Officer: Christine Moutier, M.D.
SVP, Communications & Marketing: Stephanie Rogers
Production
Production Company: Nice Shoes
Director: Kristian Mercado Figueroa
Executive Producer: Tara Holmes & Thomas Sponzo
Producer: Colin Moneymaker
Editorial: Nice Shoes
Editor: Reuter
Assistant Editor: Danny Weeks
Producer: Maggie Flatley
Post Production: Nice Shoes
Executive Producer: Tara Holmes & Thomas Sponzo
Producer: Colin Moneymaker
Akinyemi DP: Kayli Weiss
Designer: Katey Marquette
Designer: Dino Qiu
Cell Animator: Lizzi Akana
Animator: Rafael Perez
Animator: Trung Bao
Animator: Joey Gasiorek
Animator: Mitchell Zemil
Animator: Raymo Ventura
Animator: Daniel Cordero
Storyboards: Syd Fini
Colorist: Phil Choe
Compositor: Kayako Ono
Akinyemi DP: Kayli Weiss
Edit Company
Editorial: EDITBAR
Editor: Michael Reuter
Assistant Editor: Danny Weeks
Executive Producer: Phoebe Dubay
Producer: Maggie Flatley
Music
Music: Walker
Written and Performed by: Akinyemi
Executive Producer: Abbey Hendrix
Producer: Julianne Wilson
Recording Engineer & Music Editor: Christopher Keyes
Recording Engineer & Music Editor: Chris Nungary
Arranger: Axel Mansoor
Hook Melody Writer: Kevin Brady
Beat Contributor: Oriel Davis-Lyons
Audio
Audio (Film): Heard City
Executive Producer: Sasha Awn
Audio (Radio): Walker
Executive Producer: Abbey Hendrix
Mixing Engineer: Christopher Keyes
Mixing Engineer: Chris Nungary
Artists
Artist: Alex Tait
Artist: Ana Jaks
Artist: Andrea Manzati
Artist: BIFF
Artist: Blake Kathryn Thomas
Artist: Blok Magnaye
Artist: Cachete Jack
Artist: Camelia Pham
Artist: Clorophilla
Artist: Dan Woodger
Artist: David Milan
Artist: Doña Batata
Artist: Edward Ubiera
Artist: Eleonora Arosio
Artist: Eva Cremers
Artist: Gustavo Dorieto
Artist: Hunky Dunky (Yonito Tanu & Jessica Chapiness)
Artist: Janelle Barone
Artist: Jenue (Alvaro Matas)
Artist: Jill De Haan
Artist: Laura Jayne Hodkin
Artist: Lindsey Made This (Lindsey Wright)
Artist: Lucila Perini
Artist: Max Friedman
Artist: Michelle Pereira
Artist: Monique Wray
Artist: Neryl Walker
Artist: Nina Chakrabarti
Artist: Sharee Miller
Artist: Si Scott
Artist: Son of Alan (Lee Woodgate)
Artist: Steffi Lynn
Artist: Toby Triumph
Artist: Tommy Parker
Artist: Vasya Kolotusha
Artist: Will Bryant
