Missing People, a charity in the UK, is using the current Pokémon GO craze to raise awareness for the real high-risk missing people who desperately need to be found and made safe. Vinyl posters of missing people borrow the look and feel of Pokemon balls to target gamers in the area the at risk individual was last spotted. They ask anyone with information to call the charity’s free, 24/7 and confidential helpline 116 000. The Vinyls were placed on the floor to be most visible to Pokemon gamers looking down at their phones. Posters will also run in high visibility sights in popular Pokemon hotspots as well as transport hubs, including London Waterloo station. To determine the most relevant places in which to activate the Pokemon Go Missing People campaign, BBH London interns cross referenced locations where high risk missing people were last spotted with popular Pokémon GO hotspots. The first of these took place at an organised Pokemon GO walk in Trafalgar square – a mass quest to catch Pokémon, battle and trade with others around central London, which attracted over four thousand attendees.
Missing People is an independent charity which offers a lifeline when someone disappears. The charity searches for missing people on behalf of their friends and families left behind, and provides specialised support to ease their heartache and confusion. Any sightings or information about any of the missing people featured in these appeals can be passed anonymously to Missing People through their free, 24/7, confidential helpline 116 000 or on their website at missingpeople.org.uk/sightings. CEOP have issued an online guide for parents advising them how to keep their children safe when playing the game. The NSPCC guide for parents with tips and advice to keep their children safe whilst playing Pokemon Go is available on their website.
Pokemon Go Missing People Credits
The Pokemon Go Missing People campaign was developed at BBH Barn, London, by art director Daniel Liakh and copywriter Joshua Croston, creative directors Jack Smedley, George Hackforth-Jones, Pablo Gonzalez de la Pena, business lead Cressida Holmes-Smith, TV producer Laura Graham, print producer Tandy Tatter, typographer Christian Tunstall, social media manager Damola Timeyin, account director Kayleigh Hall working with Missing People senior campaigns manager Clare Cook.
Filming was shot by director Rick Stanton via Black Sheep Studios with producer Michelle Hagan.
Media has been donated by JCDecaux.
