(click image for larger view)
So last week I was looking at some photojournalism on Haiti via Boston.com, and came across this picture. In an instant, the appeal appeared. No, this isn't a real ad for the Red Cross. It's the result of a two frustrated humans who wish they could do more. But even though it isn't an official ad, if you're so moved, we encourage that you consider giving generously to support the human disaster in Haiti by clicking here. Because the Red Cross doesn't yet have a simple web page for their Haiti campaign – as of now it's http://arc3.convio.net/site/PageServerpagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_FrontPagePanel
Fake RedCross/Haiti ad created by Jim Mitchem and Jeff Sutthoff.
The photo is from the Boston Globe's Big Picture section. No, we didn't ask to use it for this speculative piece. Remember, this is fake. The situation is real.
Nichole
Jan 19, 2010
For the past week I have been stressed to the maxed, overburdened, and… feeling helpless. Especially during the day when I catch a glimpse of images from Haiti, of the destruction and the survivors (especially the littlest ones), when I can’t spare the two minutes to stop and listen and read the stories because deadlines are fast approaching and people are waiting. I’ve been feeling guilty because all I did was send a couple one-word text messages to donate a few measly dollars.
But the face in your fake Red Cross ad on Facebook caught my attention. I stopped, I clicked, I read, I put work aside to focus on the bigger picture – thinking of others… in a matter of minutes. That’s what a good ad does — real or fake.
Mollyblock
Jan 19, 2010
What a compelling piece! In the quake’s wake, aren’t you much more grateful and *aware* . . . for example, not taking for granted the availability of “basics” such as food and water? Last night, while shopping at Costco, I stood in front of a towering display of bottled water 36-packs and thought, “This scene just doesn’t seem right.”
About the Web presence: Like many non-profit orgs, the Red Cross uses the products/services of an outside company (Convio, in this case) to support its online fundraising efforts. (We worked with Convio at the University of Houston.) I would think someone from the Red Cross could create a Haiti campaign microsite!
–Molly
@mollyblock
Crystal Dempsey
Jan 19, 2010
excellent. simply excellent.
Melissa
Jan 20, 2010
Very compelling message.