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SOFII’s view:
This is a charming appeal with wonderful photography and a great one-off proposition. Milo (that’s him opposite) could have been adopted several times over just by the SOFII office alone! While the success of this initiative speaks for itself, going back to donors later with a second stage request to consider regular monthly giving, or an annual gift at Christmastime would seem a natural development for this strong campaign.
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Name of exhibitor: RSPCA NSW (Australia).
Email: media@rspcansw.org.au
Name of exhibit: RSPCA New South Wales – project Guardian Angel.
Date of first appearance: November 2008.
Category/area of fundraising: Direct mail to individuals.
Country of origin: Australia.
Summary/objectives:
To raise AUS$300,000 to help pay the costs of the extra animals that we take into our shelters over the Christmas period
Background:
Our Christmas appeal is traditionally our biggest of the year. However, we are competing with hundreds of other charities for the same dollar and space. We wanted to find a campaign that was emotional, had a call to action and, most importantly, had a happy ending. Project Guardian Angel encouraged supporters to become a guardian angel to a shelter animal over Christmas. After Christmas, guardian angels could log back into the donation website to see the animal they supported.
Creator/originator:
RSPCA NSW briefed ad agency The Campaign Palace www.thecampaignpalace.com.au about the concept. Campaign Palace came up with the creative and the guardian angel concept.
Special characteristics:
The campaign included a direct mail component, a website, mass media support and a radio community service announcement. It featured nine shelter dogs.
Influence/impact:
Thanks to mass media support, donated by media buyers Mediacom, this campaign was highly publicised in the lead up to Christmas. It featured in numerous magazines, on radio and in the press.
Test details: N/A.
Costs: $40,000.
Results: $750,000 profit.
Why do you think this exhibit merits a place in SOFII?:
Though the message was not groundbreaking, the money raised showed that this campaign stood out amongst the very many appeals taking place at Christmas time and even though the economy is in a downturn.
Any other relevant information:
This was a New South Wales state based campaign. It did not extend to other states. We hope to increase the success of this project by making it our annual Christmas appeal.
