Local Charity Gets Advertising Boost from Bright Young Sparks

A local disability charity has launched its first ever national advertising campaign thanks to some bright spark students from Ulster University and the generosity of the local creative and media industries. 

Brain Injury Matters supports children, adults and families affected by acquired brain injury across Northern Ireland.  All of its funding is currently poured directly into services, meaning that the charity has never been able to afford to advertise and reach new people… until now. 

This week, the charity has launched a new multi-media advertising campaign, created by some of the brightest creative minds on Ulster University’s undergraduate Communications Advertising and Marketing, and Graphic Design and Illustration courses.  Earlier this year they took part in a competition run by PANI, the Publicity Association of Northern Ireland, to create a charity advertising campaign. 

Brain Injury Matters was selected as the charity partner for the competition and the teams of students were partnered up with local advertising agencies to come up with their own creative campaign. 

After a fiercely competitive pitch process, first year students Connor, Rachel, Sam and Rebecca, working under the guidance of Belfast-based Genesis Advertising were crowned as the winning campaign. This week, the campaign is going live on billboards, bus shelters, on air, online and in print across Northern Ireland. 

Gerard Anderson, Chief Executive of Brain Injury Matters said,  
“The winning campaign focused on the theme of ‘lost’ – it really resonated with us, as it’s a word we often hear from people affected by brain injuries, their partners, parents and loved ones. A brain injury can leave someone feeling really alone. They feel like they’ve lost a piece of themselves, their life as they’d imagined, or their identity. ‘Lost’ is a really powerful word that struck a strong emotional response when we saw this campaign.

“Brain injury is often invisible, but its effects can be dramatic and life-changing. Many people affected by an acquired brain injury don’t know that help exists. We wanted to use this opportunity for our first ever advertising campaign to simply say to people who feel they have nowhere to turn: Brain Injury Matters is here, we understand, we can help.” 

With the support of PANI, local media partners Bauer Media (Cool FM / DTR), Global Outdoor NI (billboards and adshel bus shelters) and the Belfast Telegraph have generously sponsored free media space and airtime to drive an awareness campaign over the next two weeks. 

Karin Jeffrey of PANI said,  
“The PANI student competition gives upcoming new creative talent at Ulster University the chance to work on a real brief for a real cause. The calibre of campaign pitches was exceptionally high, with more students and agencies than ever before taking part. This year’s winning campaign is about letting people know that help is out there, and the students really nailed the brief. They understood the need to connect emotionally with the audience - those who need Brain Injury Matters’ support. We are proud that the local media and creative industries have come together in this way to support a small charity that does such vital work.” 

Rebecca McClean, Ulster University winning Student said
“It was a privilege to work on this campaign with Brain Injury Matters. Getting to give a voice to such an important organisation and cause was a truly insightful experience - one that we’ll never forget.”

For anyone in need of information or support on an acquired brain injury, visit www.braininjurymatters.org.uk or call 028 9070 5125.