Young and Rubicam has got together with Tony Kaye Films to produce a
cinema commercial for St Mungo’s, the largest London charity for
homeless people.
The star of the film, David Ribeiro, who was himself homeless until he
was helped by St Mungo’s, is backing up the ad by begging outside the
north London cinema where it is showing.
Inside the auditorium, Ribeiro appears again, this time on the cinema
screen, challenging the audience: ‘Remember me? I’m the bloke you just
ignored outside. You can’t ignore me now.’
He goes on to say that one organisation that did not ignore him was St
Mungo’s, which found him a home.
The commercial, which is shot in black and white, was directed by Mark
Williams at Tony Kaye Films. It was written by David West and art
directed by Richard Denney.
To minimise costs, everyone involved in the ad gave their time and
expertise for free, while media space at the Screen on the Green cinema
in Islington was also donated without charge.
Y&R is currently in talks with other cinema owners who have also
expressed an interest in running the commercial.
