Austin agency GSD&M launches microsite to help raise funds during Australian bushfires

Austin-based creative agency GSD&M and LA-based digital production company Wildlife has teamed up to support the efforts of WIRES, Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization, by creating a microsite called, www.ActForAustralia.org, which first launched on January 26.

While rain has fallen since the start of the fires, the Australian bushfires are far from over. Nearly 1 billion animals have been affected by the bushfires, with millions likely dead. And despite some rainfall, Australia is only halfway through its fire season. Habitats and animals are still being swallowed by fires, creating irreversible damaging effects to its ecosystems.

In order to spread awareness around the urgency, more people need to actively care and donate to help fight the fires and save Australia’s animals and habitats. That’s why GSD&M and Wildlife partnered together to launch the Act for Australia microsite, which shares the urgency for people to donate to WIRES. WIRES is leading the charge in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals affected by the fires, and the microsite is the only timed donation site that burns up, forcing people to act out of urgency and donate immediately to the organization.

GSD&M has always held the belief that as advertising professionals, it’s their corporate responsibility to use their resources, talents and connections to help raise awareness and make a positive impact during crises such as this. Other causes they have helped with include: The people affected by the tragic Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting (2018); The Magdalene House of Austin; Austin Pets Alive!, among others.

Microsite: www.ActForAustralia.org

Says Alex DiBucci, associated creative director/copywriter and Kate Gates, associate creative director and art director, GSD&M: “We felt helpless seeing the effects of the Australian bushfires in our feeds and online. But as advertisers, we have access to resources and talent to make a difference in times like these. In a way, it’s our corporate responsibility to use our powers for good and give organizations like WIRES a bigger platform to spread their message. We knew Wildlife was the perfect partner to bring it all to life.”

Says Scott Friedman, partner and creative director, Wildlife: “The impact and scale of the devastation in Australia is staggering. It’s not often we’re able to contribute to such an urgent and powerful need with our day to day work, so when our friends at GSD&M shared what they were hoping to do, we had no hesitation.”

Agency: GSD&M
Executive Creative Director: Jay Russell
Associate Creative Director/Copywriter: Alex DiBucci
Associate Creative Director/Art Director: Kate Gates
VP/Director of Digital and Tech Production: Jefferson Burress
Senior UX Designer: Vanessa Zhang
Junior UX Designer: Juliana Longoria
Experience Strategist: Jay Esteves
Jacob Stern: Editor
VP of Community: David Rockwood

Digital Production Company: Wildlife
Partner/Creative Director: Scott Friedman
Partner/Creative Director: Jake Friedman
Executive Producer: Brandon Del Nero
Technical Director/Lead Developer: Pavel Zagoskin
Animation/FX: Christian Haberkern