Cancer Chicks launches provocative new brand platform ‘FUCC IT’ to liberate young women living with cancer via Initiative Impact and MBCS

Charity organisation Cancer Chicks has launched a powerful new brand platform and campaign ‘FUCC It’ developed by an integrated partnership between Initiative IMPACT and MBCS, aimed to get Australians en masse, talking about and supporting young women living with cancer.

FUCC It aims to become a cultural catchcry to empower young women to not let cancer, severe chronic and terminal illness define their lives. The deliberately provocative tagline aims to grab attention, build rapport and generate a sense of liberation for those Cancer Chicks supports.

Marshall Campbell, general manager MBCS said the team knew a provocative idea was needed to cut through charity clutter and empower these remarkable young women, who despite their diagnosis don’t want to be seen as different or treated differently: “There is something liberating in saying “F*&% It, I’m doing it anyway” and that became the basis of CC’s new brand platform, which encourages young women to ‘Be Who You Are, Cancer or Not’.”

At the core of the campaign is a 30-sec hero video featuring Cancer Chick brand ambassadors Sharni, Rhiannon and Carlina, all every day mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues, but with a cancer diagnosis in common, and all sharing an inspirational attitude.  The powerful videos show the women experiencing a FUCC It moment when they realise the need to escape the confines of their homes, hospitals and cancer treatment and live life as they want to.

Adds Marshall: “The concept revolves around showcasing the remarkable achievements of Cancer Chicks. FUCC It emerges as a guiding attitude for these women, who simply have not allowed cancer to define them; the videos capture the essence of their resilience and determination.

“Cancer is often portrayed as a source of sadness and despair, but FUCC It, stands out from the norm and seeks to reshape the narrative towards one of empowerment and defiance, rather than yielding to the constraints imposed by illness.”

The campaign will be brought to life across a multi-channel strategy designed to build rapid cultural awareness and support for Cancer Chicks, with content appearing across screens, radio, OOH, social, print and more, all further supported and amplified by influencers, brand ambassadors and PR.

Danielle Galipienzo, head of Initiative Impact said the creative is strong, provocative and inspiring and needed a high reaching media campaign to do it justice: “We invited over 100 media partners to share the Cancer Chicks story, including personal anecdotes from Cancer Chicks members and asking for their media support in bringing this campaign and the essence of FUCC It to life.

“The immediate response and support we saw was phenomenal and has resulted in significant exposure across all major channels and some amazing tactics to give the campaign even more colour and impact.  We are humbled by the industry getting behind the cause and couldn’t be more thankful for their support.” ​

Says Rikki Stern, co-founder of Cancer Chicks and survivor of Hodgkins Lymphoma: “There is no better brand positioning for Cancer Chicks.  Every woman I know who has been diagnosed with cancer has had their “FUCC It” moment that has inspired them to move beyond being a “woman with cancer”, to a woman who is proud to be who they are, cancer or not.

“We are so excited to see FUCC It out in market and can’t wait for the conversations to begin.”

FUCC It launches today and runs in market for six weeks.

Client – Cancer Chicks
Rikki Stern – Co-Founder
Melissa Fein – Board Member & Initiative Australia CEO
Michele Molnar – Co-Founder
Katrina Konstas – Board Member
Kiki Paul – Board Member
Adele Greenberg – Board Member
Tresna Karras – Board Member

MBCS – creative agency
Managing Director, Olivia Warren
General Manager – Marshall Campbell
Group Creative Director – Luke Simkins
Creative Director – Shanan Goldring
Senior Producer – Livia Canto
Director/Editor – Jacob Abi – Arrage
Copywriter – Abby Clark
Art Director – Laura Murphy
Grade – Ryan Beetson
DOP – Jonathan Baker
Stills Photographer – Nadia Stone
Collaboration with MIK Studios

Initiative – Media Agency
Chris Colter – Chief Strategy & Product Officer
Danielle Galipienzo – Head of Initiative Impact
Triere Anthony – Client Director
Sarah Moore – Client Director
Summer Treseder – Strategy Manager