From the AFLPA to Wilson Everard to The Prime Minister’s office in 5 days.

“Just think how good it would be if we could get all the footy finals captains to add their voices to the “Just think” anti-violence campaign started by Tom Harley and the Geelong Advertiser”. As soon as the words had left his mouth, Matt Finnis from the AFLPA knew he would be up against incredible time pressures if he wanted to bring the idea to life in TV, radio and print in a mere 5 working days.

As he ran to catch a plane back to Melbourne from Sydney, Matt rang Wilson Everard Creative directors Justin Groves and Jeremy Wynne and asked if they could put something together that would get the backing of the AFL, Tom Harley and the captains, The Geelong Advertiser, Fairfax media, all the TV networks, radio stations and hopefully the Federal Government.

Three hours later he arrived at Wilson Everard’s offices in Bowen Crescent Melbourne and was presented with the campaign. By 2.30pm he walked out of the office, campaign in hand, and by the end of the day he had all the backing he needed.

Over Thursday and Friday Matt spent most of this time on the phone with players and team media managers co-ordinating times to film players in three different states. At the same time Wilson Everard began creating all the print work and organised a film crew with post production house SMR. By Monday the artwork for the print was approved and ready for despatch and the filming was underway. By Tuesday night the TVC was finished, and as Matt left SMR he was still on the phone, this time with the Prime Minister’s office as Mr. Rudd wanted to lend his support to the campaign.

On Thursday the campaign was launched at the MCG with the Prime Minister in attendance and by Thursday night was all over the news. Matt’s objective of giving the “Just think” campaign a stronger voice through the finals had been well and truly achieved.

Wilson Everard and Simon Madden team up to find missing footy players.

Looking to boost its membership numbers the AFL Players Association has enlisted the help of Wilson Everard Advertising. With a very tight budget the AFLPA wanted to go hard with a print ad in the Footy Record, Direct mail, on ground posters and a TV ad to be run on the Etihad Stadium screen and Youtube. In response Wilson Everard created a “Missing persons” campaign with a twist. Instead of headshots of missing people, the campaign features old footy cards of missing players. Helping drive the campaign on television is none other than Simon Madden, whose footy card comes to life. The campaign was created by Wilson Everard joint Creative directors Justin Groves and Jeremy Wynne.

Pick me baby!

AFL Big Guns Fire For Wilson Everard

Drawing on the near cult status of the AFL’s 5th Most Sexiest Player – Geelong’s ‘Fanta Pants’ Cameron Ling, this On-Line Campaign also features Carlton’s ‘Good Ole’ Brendan Fevola, Hawthorn’s ‘Umpire’s Pet’ Campbell Brown and Richmond’s ‘Pick Me Baby’ Matthew Richardson.

Created by Wilson Everard Advertising for the AFL’s On-Line Dream Team 2009 competition, this Webvert Campaign has generated nearly 20,000 views and has also been featured on Channel 9 - The Footy Show and Channel 10’s Saturday night AFL game coverage. As well as receiving Back Page coverage in The Age Sport on several occasions, this Campaign has also been featured at length during talkback segments on SEN Sports Radio 1116 to help kick some important goals for the AFL Player’s Association.

PICK ME - FANTA PANTS!
Drawing on the near cult status of the AFL’s 5th Most Sexiest Player - Geelong’s Cameron Ling, this On-line Campaign was created by Wilson Everard Advertising for the AFL Players’ Association to drive traffic to the AFL’s On-Line DreamTeam 2009 competition. This 1st Webvert marks what will be a series of spots that will show the length some players will go to, just to get picked by Footy Fans for the Dream Team 2009.