Advertising Agency: PHILLIPS RAMSEY, USA, Encinitas
Scriptwriter: David Neale
Script in English
FVO: I do a lot of writing. In my journal, letters to my family and friends and so on. What I’ve been writing lately, over and over again, are the warning signs of stroke: a sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg. Confusion and difficulty speaking. A sudden loss of balance. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. And a sudden, severe headache.
I know those warning signs by heart now. But eight months ago, I didn’t know them at all. I was having a stroke and I didn’t even know it. I wish I had known to call 911. If I had, maybe my life would be different now. But I’m slowly adjusting.
Besides, I have to be strong, especially for my kids, and face this like a real man. I’m still their Daddy, after all. And even though I can’t speak anymore, I can still tell my wife that I love her.
Like I said, I do a lot of writing.
Sincerely, Gary Whitfield.
SFX: Paper rustling
ANN: To learn more about the warning signs of stroke and stroke prevention, please call 1-888-4-STROKE.
Brief Explanation
The idea here was to really use the radio medium. A woman speaks throughout the spot, telling us about her having a stroke and what life has been like for her since. She tells us that she wishes she had known the warning signs. She then says that she must face life like a ‘real man’ and that she's still her kids' ‘Daddy.’ As she continues and says even though I can't speak anymore,’ the listener realises that she has been reading a letter from her husband the whole time. The result is a highly informative radio commercial with a shocking and powerful ending that illustrates the seriousness of stroke.