# Face Painted Humanitarian Ads The Ecuadorian Red Cross Campaign Urges People to Donate Blood By Meghan Young | Published 2013-01-11 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecuadorian-red-cross-campaign References: [ibelieveinadv](http://www.ibelieveinadv.com/2013/01/ecuadorian-red-cross-life-inside-life/) & [mccannworldgroup](http://www.mccannworldgroup.com) The Ecuadorian Red Cross campaign illustrates how one person can help another. It revolves around yin and yang-like face paint that embodies the idea of a life within a life. Essentially, standardized silhouette of a person's face has been painted in red on an actual face. The use of red doubly represents the flow of blood, which is exactly what this organization is encouraging people to help with. Conceived and executed by the [McCann](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shreddie-for-anything) ad agency branch based in Quito, Ecuador, the Ecuadorian Red Cross campaign sends a clear and direct message. It even reads, "Another life depends on you. [Donate blood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/we-give-blood)," for those who could not interpret the images. The Ecuadorian Red Cross campaign was [art directed](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beige-billboards) by Andrés Vallejo and shot by Jenny Ruiz. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: South America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Humanitarian Face Paint Ads:** Using face paint as a unique way to raise awareness and encourage donations for humanitarian causes presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in fundraising and advertising. - **Yin Yang Imagery:** Incorporating yin yang imagery as a symbol for the interconnectedness of all life presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in promoting social responsibility and environmental sustainability. - **Dual-purpose Imagery:** Using dual-purpose imagery that conveys multiple meanings (such as the red face paint representing both a life within a life and the flow of blood) can be a creative way to capture attention and engage audiences in social and humanitarian causes. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Humanitarian Organizations:** Humanitarian organizations can harness the power of unique and creative advertising strategies like face paint ads and yin yang imagery to increase awareness and inspire donations for their causes. - **Advertising:** Incorporating innovative and attention-grabbing imagery like dual-purpose face paint can offer disruptive advertising opportunities for businesses across various industries to promote their products and services in new and creative ways. - **Art Direction and Photography:** Creative professionals in art direction and photography can utilize the concept of dual-purpose imagery and yin yang symbolism to create impactful visuals and drive impactful humanitarian messages in their work. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Unpredictable Festive Ad Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowfall.md) - [Bloody Promotional Game Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blood-for-a-pc.md) - [Mental Health-Supporting Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-last-photo.md) - [Heartwarming Social Good Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moments-that-count.md) - [Child Care CSR Foundations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dedication-to-life.md) - [Gamer-Targeted Donor Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-donors.md) - [Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lifesaving-outdoors.md) - [Charitable Live-Marketing Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-billboards.md) - [Mock Social Good Fashion Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-models-own.md)