Suicide-Simulating Billboards

A Volunteer Ad Lets You Pick Up the Phone to Save a Girl

A volunteer ad campaign to recruit more staff for the Samaritans support line lets pedestrians save a virtual girl by picking up the phone. Developed by a team at London's Central Saint Martins School, the ad aims to simulate the same difficult situation that Samaritans volunteers face.

The ad features a video billboard with a girl on the verge of suicide. After she picks up the phone to make a call, a payphone next to the ad begins ringing. If you pick up, a pre-recorded voice thanks you and then encourages you to become a volunteer for Samaritans. If nobody answers the ringing phone, the virtual girl is seen swallowing sleeping pills and then collapsing. It then states, "Let us not miss a single call."

Virtual Volunteer Ads
Using interactive billboards to simulate scenarios and engage viewers in volunteer recruitment.
Emotional Advertising
Creating impactful ad campaigns that elicit an emotional response from the audience to convey a message.
Innovative Outreach Strategies
Exploring creative methods to reach potential volunteers and raise awareness for important causes.

Industries Being Reshaped

Advertising
Opportunities for advertisers to leverage interactive and emotional campaigns for impactful messaging.
Volunteer Recruitment
The use of immersive and engaging techniques to attract and recruit volunteers for various causes.
Mental Health Support
Innovations in outreach methods to raise awareness and provide assistance for individuals struggling with mental health.
SCORE
4.0 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen X
  • Millennial (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 49%
Activity 63%
Freshness 8%