Australians asked to pay for a minute of silence on their phone in latest RSL ANZAC Appeal campaign breaking tonight via DDB Melbourne

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MOS_TVSTILL01.jpgCB Exclusive – With the ANZAC centenary looming, ANZAC Appeal organisers are tapping into new technology platforms to encourage support from Australians this year with a campaign breaking tonight via DDB Melbourne, Tribal Worldwide and Mango Australia.

In a fundraising first, the ANZAC Appeal has created ‘The Minute of Silence’, a pre-recorded minute of silence which can be purchased by phoning 1902 25 04 14 or texting SILENCE and state to 1999 1234.

MOS_TVSTILL02.jpgThe recorded Minute of Silence includes 80 currently serving and former Australian Defence Force members and their families, including veterans from conflicts as recent as Afghanistan and Iran and as long ago as WW2, Korea and Vietnam and was recorded as the platform for the campaign.

The TVC will be aired by Channel 9/Win from tonight and is supported by a plethora of other generously donated media, including tram faces, press, outdoor posters and FM and AM radio nationally. The RSL has also negotiated AFL and NRL game screen time during the matches on Anzac Day on April 25.

MOS_print.jpgSays DDB Melbourne executive creative director, Darren Spiller: “At first glance you think we are asking people to buy nothing, but as you delve deeper into the campaign you realise that you get a whole lot. Memories, stories, learnings, sorrows, reflections and resolve. It’s amazing what a minute of silence is really made up of.”

The multi-faceted campaign includes a central website designed and built by Tribal Worldwide Melbourne. Says general manager of Tribal Worldwide Melbourne Rich Lloyd: “The concept of using your mobile phone to pay to listen to silence felt like a really powerful way of flipping the traditional use of familiar and accessible technology. Anyone that buys a minute of silence receives a text link to the supporting website where veterans thank them for doing so. The website also includes ways of donating to the Australian Defence Force – and the personal stories of what those heroes think about during their minute of silence I found very moving. Having newly arrived in Australia from the UK, I was also surprised how much this project gave me an insight into the values of held by Australians, particularly the value of mateship.”

According to ANZAC Appeal national spokesperson, Afghanistan veteran, ex-Commando and double amputee, Damien Thomlinson, the Minute of Silence enables anyone with access to a phone to support the Appeal.

“The fundraising landscape is changing and to enhance the valuable work that the RSL’s traditional fundraisers do by selling ANZAC badges on the streets of cities and towns across the country, the Minute of Silence will allow Australians to support the cause directly from their mobile phone or landline,” says Thomlinson.

“Our aim is to not only raise funds for the Appeal around the nation, but to highlight the valuable work that the RSL does with past and present service men, women and their families, and the work they will continue to do”.

“The RSL helps service men and women of all ages, the currently serving as well as older veterans. The way we help them varies too from financial assistance, living expenses (rent, bonds and food vouchers) and educational needs to medical expenses, transport needs and advocacy. Minute of Silence is about showing the link from the past to the present and how the RSL bridges that divide,” he said.

“When it comes to support I was fortunate enough to have great people around me, and I see our role now as picking up the pieces when there’s nowhere else to turn for those who aren’t so lucky.”

The Minute of Silence will employ mechanics that have never been attempted before in Australia. Supporters can phone 1902 25 04 14 and by dialling 0 after the opening message, they will hear the pre-recorded Minute of Silence.

Alternatively, supporters can text the word SILENCE and their home STATE to 1999 1234 where they will receive a return SMS with a link to their minute of silence which features the voice of WW2 Prisoner of War, Jack Bell and the pre-recorded minute of silence that they can listen to on their mobile phone.

Australians are also encouraged to visit www.minuteofsilence.com.au where they can find out more about the campaign and who it benefits.

As always, iconic ANZAC Badges will be sold across Australian communities by Appeals volunteers during April.

Agency: DDB Melbourne

Executive Creative Director: Darren Spiller

Creative Lead: Ant Hatton

Creative: Ant Hatton, Chris Andrews

Senior TV Producer: Tuesday Picken

Online Content Editor: Marissa Brain

Online Content DOP: Jordy Molloy/Chris Andrews

General Manager Tribal Worldwide Melbourne: Richard Lloyd

Digital Creative Director: Steven Skrekovski

Digital Creative: Pascal Van Der Haar

Executive Digital Producer: Rebecca Bayly

Head of Broadcast: Simon Thomas

Digital Producer: Genevieve O’Shea

Digital Head of Art: Jonathon Yuen

Developer: Ben Lau, Arnaud Tanielian, Michel Boudreau

Account Director: Stephanie Luxmoore

Account Manager: Kristen Mahler

Creative Services Director: Diana Czechowska

Planner: Tom Hyde

PR Account Director – Sophie Beckingham

PR Account Manager – Samantha Vassos

PR Account executive – Cass Stafford

Production Company: Exit Films

Director: Mark Molloy

Producer:  Martin Box

Executive Producer: Corey Esse

DOP: Ryley Brown

1st AD: Euan Keddie

2nd AD: Marina Bonofiglio

Production Manager: Kate Merrin

Production Assistant: Martine Dartnell

Production Attachement: Justine Macurthur

Directors Assistant: Jayden Stevens

Operator: Glenn Clayton

1st AC: Murray Watt

2nd AC/Data: Chaylon Fraser

Gaffer: Rory Timoney

Exec Assist: Chris Mitchell

Exec Assist: Antonio Argirio

Sound Rec: Tom Pollard

Art Department: Niamh Peren

Wardrobe: Melissa Rutherford

Unit: Tom Pollard

Nurse: Pam Krueger

Offline Editor: Rohan Zerna

Online Editor: Eugene Richards

Editing Company: The Butchery & The Refinery

Post Production Producer: Freya Maddock

Music/Artist/Title: Silence

Sound design: Colin Simkins @ Gusto Music

Sound design Producer: Sean Calleja @ Gusto Music

Photographer: Christoper Tovo

Client: RSL

Manager, Appeals & Membership Returned & Services League of Australia: Peter Smith