The Pinnacle Foundation encourages parents to ‘Make Awkward Awesome’ in new campaign via Cocogun, Good Oil, Initiative and UnLtd

Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity The Pinnacle Foundation, has launched a new campaign encouraging parents to break through the embarrassment barrier and talk to their kids about their sexuality and identity created by Cocogun and Good Oil, in collaboration with UnLtd.

The campaign is designed to motivate parents to make the first move around this sensitive topic, and create a safe space for their (potentially) LGBTQIA+ kids, rather than leaving the pressure of ‘coming out’ with young people.

The work which is based around the line, ‘MAKE AWKWARD AWESOME’, features parents awkwardly broaching the topic, with their kids feeling initially disconcerted but ultimately appreciating the gesture.

43% of LGBTQIA+ young people are rejected by their parents when they come out, and many subsequently have to leave home and drop out of their education. The Pinnacle Foundation provides scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTQIA+ Australians to stay in education and realise their full potential.

But, to get upstream of the problem and perhaps even avoid these heartbreaking situations altogether, there’s one first step we can all take: having conversations that create an environment of acceptance for those around us.

The creative runs across TVC, outdoor, radio, cinema and online. The TVCs have been directed by Connor Pritchard. Media strategy and media campaign creation has been led by Initiative.

Pinnacle Foundation CEO and Managing Director Andrew Staite said, “We exist to help LGBTQIA+ youth realise their full potential. That starts with the love, support and understanding of their family. The core aim of this campaign is to encourage parents to embrace awkward conversations with their kids to reinforce that no matter what their sexuality or identity is, they’ll still be loved unconditionally.”

Pinnacle Foundation Marketing Manager Tim Lai added, “We know that parental support is highly important to LGBTQIA+ young people’s wellbeing. We fund scholarships and support for LGBTQIA+ youth who so often face family rejection, so this campaign will hopefully encourage parents to lean in and create safe, supportive home environments.”

Cocogun Creative Partner Ant Melder said, “Research shows that many LGBTQIA+ young people are rejected by their families, and this has a negative snowball effect on their lives. But rather than focusing on the negative effects of rejection, we wanted to remind parents about the positive effect they can have on their kids’ lives by leaning in, showing their support and providing a safe, loving environment.”

Connor Pritchard, Good Oil, said, “When I first read these scripts I knew they’d be special. The Pinnacle Foundation are doing amazing work in the LGBTQIA+ community, so it was a true honour to be part of this project.”

Emily Long, Account Director, UnLtd, said, “The partnership between Cocogun, Good Oil, Initiative and The Pinnacle Foundation is a best-in-class example of collaboration and what can be achieved when our industry works together to drive such an important message in market. The campaign has the potential to change so many young LGBTQIA+ lives by encouraging parents to have these vital conversations with their kids about their sexuality and identity.”

Danielle Galipienzo, Head of Impact, Initiative, said: “This is an incredibly worthy cause, personally close to my heart. It was an absolute honour for us to support The Pinnacle Foundation in spreading this all-important message to drive true behaviour change to make this poignant part of the LGBTQIA+ experience a little easier.”

The ‘Make Awkward Awesome’ campaign is live now.

Client: The Pinnacle Foundation
CEO and Managing Director – Andrew Staite
Marketing Manager – Tim Lai
Partnerships & Events Manager – Ola Radka

Social impact partner: UnLtd
Director of Partnerships – Jade Harley
Account Director – Emily Long
Account Director – Louise Pay

Creative agency: Cocogun
Creative Partner – Ant Melder
Group Business Director – Emily Hahn
Senior Copywriter – Lewis Clarke
Senior Art Director – Loz Maneschi
Art Director – Jimmy Williams
Copywriter – Kirst Reynolds
Design Director – Chris Clausen
Designer – Shev Tan

Initial strategic development: TBWA
Group Strategy Director – Anna Thairs

Media agency: Initiative
Head of Initiative Impact – Danielle Galipienzo
National Strategy Director – Thomas Dodd
Associate Strategy Director – Karrin Kuyumcian
Investment Associate – Grace Gray
Client Director – Xavier Cramer
Investment Associate – MiMi McLachlan
Investment Associate – Jamie Tee

Production company: Good Oil
Director – Connor Pritchard
Managing Director – George Mackenzie
Producer/Head of Emerging Talent – Nick Payne
DOP – Jack Saltmiras
1st AC – Callum Duddington
Gaffer – Zac Murphy
Best Person – Jakson Gray
Sound – Dante Florez
Hair & Makeup – Mindwell Holcomb
Stylist – Maya Gardiner-Mullins
Runner – Charles Tyler
Runner – Raquel Esteban

Casting: Citizen Jane
Casting Director – Natalie Jane Harvie
General Manager – Gigi-Monique Diaz

Post production: ARC edit
Executive Producer – Dan Fry
Producer – Cheryn Frost
Editor – Liam James

Sound production (Film): Rumble
Executive Producer – Michael Gie
Producer – Siena Mascheretti
Sound Engineer – Renee Park
Composers – Alex Booker (Mum Composition) & Jeremy Richmond (Dad Composition)

Sound production (Radio): Smith & Western
Executive Producer – Dan Higson
Creative Director – Nick West