What do you think of when someone mentions the Red Cross? For some the name conjures images of the recent scandal over video games using their logo. Others might think of the various good works they do. Probably very few people think of the cool guerrilla advertising campaigns they have created to raise awareness of various key issues around the world.





Know What to Do: So you might call these sneaky, or even mean, but what better way to make people wonder how prepared they are for an emergency situation? Just imagine: you are walking along, look down before walking a few flights of stairs, and at the bottom is what appears to be an injured person. What do you first? How would you help?

Not Happening Here, but Happening Now: somewhere in the world, buildings are collapsing, bombs are going off, people are dying. In short: things are very, very wrong. Especially in the US this might seem a world away but it is happening on the same planet. These creative guerrilla interventions bring that message home loud and clear.

Try Living on This for Three Days: we’re always told that, in a pinch, you can survive without food or water for up to three days … but have you ever tested the theory? These empty water bottles communicate a very strong signal about this commonly-repeated saying: yes, it’s possible, but you really wouldn’t want to try it.

Before and After: There are a few great marketing tricks that make this a powerful guerrilla ad soliciting cornea donations. First, you have to look close to read it, so it forces people to engage from the outset. Once you read it, you realize the difference you can make for someone: between blindness and sight. A guilt trip, certainly, but a cleverly done one for sure!

Where’s the Color? The red is there, but just in the lower right-hand corner of the page. The message: the world is your coloring book. You can add color to the lives of others. OK, OK, so it’s a bit cheesy, sure, but it’s true too. Gift and food donations can make a big difference in someone’s life.

Earthquake Early Warning System: Unfortunately, as the sign suggests, there won’t be an actual warning. Sure, it’s a messaged drilled into us as kinds, but: you just have to know ahead of time what to do and be prepared. The Red Cross has also posted clever Craigslist ads in apartment rental sections for earthquake-ravaged buildings to raise awareness about earthquake preparedness.

Volunteers Needed: the Red Cross and other organizations are always in need of blood donors, but most of the time we don’t think about that on a day-to-day basis. These handy carrying bags are a creative reminder that donors are always welcome. Want to help out? Visit the Red Cross and donate or volunteer!

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Tags: advertising, humanitarian, non-profit, red cross

