Category: Public Interest, NGO
Media: Film
Brand: MyHeritage DNA
Agency: Berlin Cameron
Geo: United States
Advertising Agency: Berlin Cameron, New York, USA
Chief Executive Officer / Executive Creative Director: Ewen Cameron
Creative Director: Svenja Timme-Bastian
Creative Director / Copywriter: Tom Pastore
Art Director: Kristy Heilenday
Copywriter: Mustafa Ulker
President / Account Director: Jennifer DaSilva
Director: JJ Augustavo
Editorial House: Hooligan
PR Agency: Cohn and Wolfe
Production Company: Skunk and The Lift
Published: April 2017
Description: When tasked with creating a video My Heritage DNA, a new challenger brand in the competitive DNA testing space, we reflected on the level of anxiety and tension today around the subject of cultural and racial identity. During these conversations we thought, can DNA testing help to create greater personal awareness and social understanding?
It wasn’t about using a ‘celebrity’ or ‘co-opting’ a cultural moment. It was about finding an authentic voice who could speak credibly and passionately to the issue. After considering many options, the creative team suggested a collaboration with Prince Ea. After seeing his videos that tackle social conversations ranging from the environment, to education and race itself, we were convinced he was the right person to amplify the message.
It took a confident client to give Prince Ea the creative license to articulate this issue in his own words and not as ‘advertising copy.’ He wrote the monologue himself and we created a platform for him to share his very personal experiences, including racism itself.
A pivotal point in the monologue is Prince Ea’s idea that ‘Racism is very real, but race is a figment of our collective imagination.’ This became the essence of the MyHeritage DNA message and we believe sharing this message with as many people as possible has the potential to create a genuine connection between commerce and societal challenges that is genuine, passionate and most importantly—authentic.
Film advertisment created by Berlin Cameron, United States for MyHeritage DNA, within the category: Public Interest, NGO.