FCB Inferno and Pearson create ‘Daunting World’ campaign for Project Literacy

Cristina Blanaru Creativity, CSR

FCB Inferno continue their work with Project Literacy, by drawing attention to the challenges associated with the issue of adult illiteracy, with the ‘Daunting World’ campaign. Project Literacy is a movement founded and convened by global education company Pearson to help advance global literacy.

FCB Inferno partnered with advertising legend Mark Denton to create a series of images that bring to life some of the challenges faced by adults who struggle to read and write. The suite of eye-catching photographs taken by and Art Directed by Mark, show everyday objects such as detergent bottles, greetings cards and board games. On closer inspection of the image, the viewer will realize that these are ‘pack shots with a twist’ as the message on each object explains the challenges these everyday objects can present for people who cannot read.

The stories that have been brought to life are real, having been relayed to the Project Literacy team by the newly literate adults they have been working with as part of the campaign. One image of a medicine bottle, for example, directly reflects the story told by Wanda, a newly literate adult from Philadelphia, USA, who movingly described the anxiety she felt each time she had to give her children medicine when they were sick because she could not read the instructions on the packaging.

These ‘ads with a difference’ are currently rolling out in print and across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the goal of raising awareness about the challenges nearly a billion people across the world face, every single day, because they cannot read and write.

Mark Denton’s resume is one of the most acclaimed in the industry, having won numerous advertising awards, directed over 500 commercials, and managed his own agency – making him a clear choice to bring these images to life in a bold, clever and accessible way.

CREDITS 

  • Chief Creative Officer: Owen Lee
  • Senior Art Director: Jessica Giles
  • Senior Copywriter: Austin Hamilton
  • Strategy Director: Julie Lagan
  • Senior Producer: Bridie Scriven
  • Business Director: Helena Georghiou
  • Senior Account Manager: Charlie Griffith
  • Graduate: Emma King
  • Production Company: COY! Communications
  • Photographer: Joe Giacomet

FCB Inferno is one of London’s leading advertising agencies, and part of global advertising network FCB. The network dates back to 1873, and now has 9000 employees in 90 countries, with 200 at FCB Inferno. FCB Inferno’s clients sit across industry sectors and currently include the UK Government (for which they created the This Girl Can brand), BMW, Huawei, NIVEA, Sky and UEFA. FCB Inferno received two Grand Prix awards at Cannes International Festival of Creativity in 2015 and 2016.

FCB Inferno has been voted the top UK agency promoting good causes in 2016 by The Good Report, ranking third overall in the list of international agencies.