O&M creates campaign on women's safety for Mumbai Police
The campaign uses real police officers, both men and women, from within the Mumbai Police force
BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | March 19, 2013
Mumbai once took pride in its reputation of being one of the safest cities in the country. However, recent incidents have threatened the safety of Mumbai's girls/women. These incidents have given Mumbai Police reason to believe that they must reach out to the citizens of Mumbai to reassure them that they are doing their best to keep girls and women safe.
Ogilvy Mumbai created an integrated campaign consisting of film, outdoor and radio with messaging that speaks to men as well as women. The Mumbai Police spokesperson in each film first addresses women and then in the second message addresses men.
The messaging comprises two parts – an internal as well as an external communiqué. The internal films aim to sensitise the police to everyday incidents/fears faced by women and will be run at all police stations in Mumbai. The external films encourage women to report these cases and will be run on media channels. This will make sure the citizens and the force are on the same page.
Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Group Creative Director, Ogilvy Mumbai, said, “The two-pronged approach, we believe, is what makes this campaign different and it is also the reason why it will work. The same ad encourages women to come forward and not tolerate abuse in any form, and the same ad firmly warns men that abuse will not be tolerated in any form.”
Abhijit Avasthi, National Creative Director, Ogilvy India, commented, “The most important decision was using real police officers, both men and women from within the Mumbai Police force. The reason for this was that we wanted the campaign to be an honest conversation between the police and citizens. In each film the police officer talks candidly to the women and when we think the commercial has ended, the officer returns and talks to the men. Though the words largely remain the same for the two genders, the method of delivery ensures that the message is different for women and men.”
Kainaz Karmakar, Group Creative Director, Ogilvy Mumbai, added, “If the message did not sound true, it would not work. That is why we discarded many ideas before deciding on this. Every piece is simple and tackles a real fear in the silent victim's mind. For a variety of reasons, the police station just round the corner is often the longest walk for a victim.”
Code Red Films and photographer Avadhut Hembade got involved very early in the process to shape the TV and print campaign. It was director Gajraj Rao's idea to hold a series of workshops to help the police officers get comfortable in front of the camera.
Gajraj Rao of Code Red Films commented, “Team Code Red is proud to be associated with this Mumbai Police and Ogilvy Initiative. This campaign has the promise to bring to the fore the human face of our fellow citizens in khaki. As part of this great city, we felt we had to contribute to an environment where women feel free to reach out to the police for help.”
Navin Talreja, President, Ogilvy Mumbai and Kolkata, said, “How can we be in the communication business and not use our talent for a cause like this? What do we expect from this campaign? Nothing will change overnight and it is reasonable to expect that. The journey from fear to faith cannot be completed in one day or with one campaign. However, with this effort we will hopefully move one step closer to making women feel like there is someone watching out for them.”
The Films:
Credits:
National Creative Director: Abhijit Avasthi
Group Creative Directors: Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Kainaz Karmakar
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