New "Calm" Radio Ads

[Hells]

Article from DM Bulletin

Ads use London bomb picture to hit home on suicide
by Daniel Farey-Jones Brand Republic 6 Oct 2006

Calm: courting controversy with poster

LONDON - Controversial posters featuring the aftermath of the London bombings are to appear next week as part of a charity's attempt to stop the number of men who commit suicide each year reaching four figures.

Billboards will show the disturbing image of the bus ripped apart by one of the four suicide bombers who struck London on July 7 2005, killing 52 people.

The copy states: "Last year, 4 suicidal British men got our attention. Unfortunately, 973 others didn't. Help stop suicide. Text CALM to 80082."

Calm is the name of the charity, the Campaign Against Living Miserably, which has timed the promotion to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Tuesday October 10.

Ogilvy & Mather created the posters, and a series of lighter-hearted radio ads voiced by comedians David Baddiel, Matthew Horne and 'Green Room' stars Julian Rhind-Tutt and Stephen Mangan will also be part of the campaign.

Where the billboards are designed to grab the attention, the radio ads use humour to combat men's reluctance to seek help and talk about their problems, which Calm identified as a major contributing factor in suicide.

Jane Powell, national development coordinator at Calm, said: "We know that our billboard ads are controversial, but it was a conscious decision we made to provoke debate on this issue and draw attention to the tragic fact that, on average, three young men kill themselves every day in the UK. The public remains unaware of the sheer numbers of men who commit suicide each year."

The ads encourage people to visit the Calm website, which offers help, information and advice.

[Hells]

Notice they put "Green Room" and not "Green Wing"

Twits.

[pinks]

i'm a mental health support worker and the issue is really close to my heart. i've gone all squee and eek over steve and julian taking part in this. hopefully it will even out the bad karma for them taking part in a barclaycard add. love to see them on tv as much as poss, and together is even better, but barclays are very bad people.

[Hells]

It's good that they are doing something that is beneficial.

I'm looking forward to hearing how the ad's turn out.

[marinewarden]

I have found the links to hear the "Calm" ads...clink on this link and then on each of the indidvidual titles....

http://www.thecalmzone.net/tune_in/defa ... cat=comedy

Apologies if this link has been posted before somewhere else ( but I looked in the obvious place - "media mentions" and I couldn't find it!...obviously, I really meant the "Adverts" section... )

[LinkaNeo]

That sounds like a really noble thing they're doing. Although - I don't think it's a good idea to show images of buses ripping apart on billboards.

[maisie]

A little piccie of Julian and Steve, David Baddiel and Matt Horne recording the ads in the studio.



Julian and Steve really should check with each other before dressing to work together - the twin blue shirts thing is becoming a trademark - albeit an adorable one!

[marinewarden]

Maisie wrote:

Julian and Steve really should check with each other before dressing to work together - the twin blue shirts thing is becoming a trademark - albeit an adorable one!

Well, they are just both two well dressed pedigree men aren't they? with impeccable taste in clothes..I like a man in a"decent" shirt particularly if they can "pull off" wearing a pink one (preferably a "checked" one).mmmmm, mmm! - actually I think pink might clash with Julian's luscious locks but Steven on the other hand, would look mighty "fine" in one! I imagine that I could be alone with my starnge taste in men's clothes?!

[maisie]

particularly if they can "pull off" wearing a pink one (preferably a "checked" one).mmmmm, mmm! - actually I think pink might clash with Julian's luscious locks but Steven on the other hand, would look mighty "fine" in one! I imagine that I could be alone with my starnge taste in men's clothes?!

I'll join you in the pink shirt appreciation, and just for you, here is the evidence that Mr Mangan can indeed pull it off with some style. Of course Julian's effortless cool is threatening to upstage him!

[faeriequeen]

Doesn't Steve talk about wearing a pink shirt in that Guardian interview he did last week?

[ducatilady]

Yes he did & he wore a pink shirt on 'Millionaire'

[marinewarden]

Ducatilady wrote:

Yes he did & he wore a pink shirt on 'Millionaire'

Well spotted Rita! I rest my case! (and feel a little silly for not noticing! ..but he was looking rather gorgeous so I couldn't really keep my eyes off his lurvelee face so think I can be excused, just this once - ay? )