The Grand Prix winner!
The 2009 Creative Challenge finally came to an end after an intensive two week online consumer vote and a live judging event in the grounds of Battersea Park.
CHI & Partners have been crowned the winner with their creative for Anchor Butter. The ad will now run live on the streets of London later on this year.
Below is the placement of all the finalists when the online vote was combined with the overall judge’s vote.
Thanks to all who have taken part and congratulations to CHI.
Sell Sell for Crisis - Superside
Client Comment: Andy Palmer, the Sell! Sell! Managing Director
Recession. It's a word that's hardly been out of the news for the last twelve months. Yet despite this, media attention has tended to focus on the actions of greedy, incompetent bankers rather than on the terrible impact that recession has had on many people's lives. The economy in recession has forced thousands of people on a journey which has left them unemployed and unable to keep up their mortgage payments. This has led to a dramatic rise in the number of houses being repossessed, ultimately making thousands of people homeless. What better way than on the side of a big, red London bus to boldly and very publicly highlight this problem on behalf of Crisis who want to put an end to homelessness?
77 Comments View All
To make sure your favourite wins come back tomorrow and vote again! In fact why not send it round to all your friends and get them voting as well?
Who won? It's all here.
When each agency has taken their turn on the streets the winning creative will automatically be entered into the Grand Prix along with the winning Wild Card entry.
This is when the competition really gets started as the agencies go head to head to win the 2009 London Creative Challenge. The winning ad is in your hands. The vote off will see each creative take to the streets for the last time and voting taking place right here!
This is when the competition really gets started as the winners take to the streets of London for the very last time, joined by the winner from the Wild Card and Regional Creative Challenge. The public vote will determine the top four designs with our panel of creative experts selecting the overall winner of the London Creative Challenge 2009.
Want to be there on the night? Email Laura to request an invite. Just say how many people you want to come along, a contact name and number and the name of your company and you will get put on the guest list!
If you have any questions about the UK Creative Challenge, please contact Kayt Mann
CBS Outdoor reserve the right to remove from this site what they deem to be unfounded or inappropriate comments.
Happy Voting!
Clare | 23 July 2009
Straight to the point - no frilly bits. Excellent ad.
Skye | 23 July 2009
Great advert for an excellent charity, I really hope that it wins.
Daphne Watts | 22 July 2009
the advert's message relays the stark reality of a situation any member of the population can experience - one that only hits home when it becomes the individual's experience. However, it promises 'light at the end of the tunnel'
Casper | 21 July 2009
Michael - that's what everyone says because no-one likes to admit (especially men) that they respond to emotional triggers but prefer to think they only respond to rational arguments. But the facts don't fit this - charity ads that raise the most money by far are those that portray need strongly and with emotion.
Frances | 21 July 2009
Worthy cause - deserving advert using clever imagery and simple message to create powerful impact.
Michael | 21 July 2009
The comment by Hope on 14th july which suggested branch lines out of CRISIS ie Education,employment accommodation etc would make a great follow up .Give that person a job!
Too many charity adverts just show the problem and not the solution. I for one always respond more positively to promotions which are positive.
jennifer | 20 July 2009
The ad is excellent, makes its point in a simple, direct way that is completely appropriate to the medium - and it is in support of a 100% worthwhile cause - brilliant!
John | 20 July 2009
Well I never? Little ol' Crisis doing big clever bus adverts!
I worked for this lot in the 80s and there was only about 5 of us doing everything - it was hilarious.
Great charity though - they actually do practical work with homeless people - unlike some charities (naming no names - starts with an S and ends with an R!) who just spend all their time running big 'campaigns' employing a load of pretentious numpties who couldn't cut it in commercial advertising so thought they'd bleed charities dry with mediocre work that's never challenged and never measured......
Bill | 20 July 2009
This is bar far the most intelligent advert of the lot, as well as being informative and eye-catching. I hope this wins for the sake of all the homeless.
Kelly | 20 July 2009
Ha Ha Ha
Digger | 20 July 2009
Bob Grant - you need to get out more!
Bernie | 20 July 2009
Magic, well done Crisis!
Veronica | 20 July 2009
Genius advert; the most topical and clever of them all. THIS MUST WIN!!!!
Mike | 20 July 2009
Your damn right Jazz, Crisis are the most amzing charity - I help them every Christmas and without them thousands of homeless people would have literally nothing.
Jazz | 20 July 2009
I was homeless for ten years and I have never been so miserable - it is a degrading, isolating and dangerous!
Charities like Crisis should win medals for the work they do - I have nothing but the utmost respect for them.
And don't go thinking it couldn't happen to you - that's what I thought!
daphne watts | 19 July 2009
This ad should win for Crisis continually does a great job forall the homeless in the best wa y it can:come Spring, Summer Autumn or Winter.
May | 19 July 2009
Very effective in getting its message across.
Alan | 18 July 2009
This is a clean, simple and eye-catching add and makes you think. CRISIS do an amazing job and this could really help.
Alan
mark | 18 July 2009
homelessness was around along time before the recession its great that crisis are supporting people in crisis. i feel we also needs to look at those with more complex needs around drug use, mental health and social support help to improve the outcome in individuals lifes. helping to also support them back into the mainstream of life. The crisis ad is excellent.
mark | 18 July 2009
all we can do is hope for the best.
Polly | 18 July 2009
This ad must win, reminds us that we're all only a few steps away from homlessness... let's keep voting!!
Kate | 17 July 2009
Perfect marriage of medium and message. Can't fault this ad. Gets my vote.
Ray Harrington | 17 July 2009
Most advertising is not about informing but rather mis-informing. Strong on message but weak on substance, style over content.
The charity adverts, on the other hand, are honest and reflect a true message.
The Crisis advert in powerful and does not rely on cheap gimmicks.
John | 17 July 2009
This is the cleanest, simplest and most hard-hitting of all the ads.
John | 17 July 2009
This is the cleanest, simplest and most hard-hitting of all the ads.
Maggie | 17 July 2009
The ad is concise and easy to read - hopefully it may make people think "that could be me if things keep getting worse!"
Joan | 17 July 2009
I volunteered for Crisis this xmas (08) and people are so appreciative of being off the streets, warm beds, having food and decorations. This charity has a direct impact on peoples lives so I hope it gets its message out there.
Johnno | 17 July 2009
Homelessness is caused by recession, job losses and also by bad decisions by individuals. We all make bad decisions at times but thankfully most of the time they don't end up in homelessness. Crisis and organisations like them are there without judgement and offer support and help. I don't think they have an anti-banker attitude, they would help a homeless ex-banker just as readily. The ad states it clearly and succinctly, without bells or whistles. I think it's excellent.
Linda | 16 July 2009
I like the ad - like the clarity of message and design - hard hitting
Bob Grant | 16 July 2009
I saw the huge growth in crisis vote yesterday before percentages were removed. In a few hours it looks like Crisis generated about 25% of the total votes cast since the start of the competition. From what I hear, they mailed their whole volunteer file. This will probably mean that the other charities like prostate cancer charity and time for change will do the same. Rather than being a creative competition it becomes who can generate the most traffic competition. If T-Mobile offered people a couple of quid off their next bill for all votes, they'd probably win this.
I think it's right that judges have a say. It's a creative competition after all.
Why not offer all the charities a free campaign and restrict the creative competition to the commercial companies? They are all important causes and if bus ads are suffering from the downturn - it could be a good way of using the space.
Bob Grant | 16 July 2009
I saw the huge growth in crisis vote yesterday before percentages were removed. In a few hours it looks like Crisis generated about 25% of the total votes cast since the start of the competition. From what I hear, they mailed their whole volunteer file. This will probably mean that the other charities like prostate cancer charity and time for change will do the same. Rather than being a creative competition it becomes who can generate the most traffic competition. If T-Mobile offered people a couple of quid off their next bill for all votes, they'd probably win this.
I think it's right that judges have a say. It's a creative competition after all.
Why not offer all the charities a free campaign and restrict the creative competition to the commercial companies? They are all important causes and if bus ads are suffering from the downturn - it could be a good way of using the space.
Jean | 16 July 2009
There but for fortune.............Sadly Crisis is needed
laura | 16 July 2009
Gemma - no that is not the reason. It was a mistake by the website builders, this is a competition where you never know who is winning.
Sarah - the judging panel will have no idea who won the online vote (another reason for not having percentages at this stage). Only once they have vote will they be told the online winner. All their scores will be posted online for all to see.
Sarah | 16 July 2009
Gemma, I doubt they'll fix the vote - but you can bet the judging panel will deliberately choose a different ad to the one that gets the most votes - senior agency people like to think 'they know best'!
Gemma | 16 July 2009
Laura - I do hope you haven't removed the percentages so you can nobble the result at the end??
Caitlin McKiernan | 16 July 2009
The use of the bus route also suggests a return journey is possible. Homelessness needn't be a dead end.
Caitlin McKiernan | 16 July 2009
Ok so looking at the ad in terms of the judging panel's criteria :
Clarity of message - it's stark, uncluttered and unambiguous. Couldn't be clearer. It talks of cause & effect, like a row of dominoes, in a way people can instantly understand. In doing that, it removed the Otherness of "the homeless" and thereby cuts through denial and myths about people affected by homelessness somehow being different. The response mechanism is also clear with the Crisis URL for donations. In campaigning terms that's a clear action that's easy for people to decide to do and to remember.
Branding - the Crisis name is very clear, prominent and recognisable. It's immediately obvious who the ad is about.
Creative execution - the simplicity of the design helps the immediacy of its impact. The lack of photos or other colours adds to the starkness of the message. The red adds to the urgency and sense of emergency. The bus route line is obviously a perfect visual pun. The slogan "homelessness ends here has double value i.e. people in crisis because of homelessness end up at Crisis i.e. the buck stops here (and other homelessness charities) AND the chain of events inclusing common experiences such as job loss can very easily end in homelessness in a tiny number of stages, like a bus trip.
I can't fault this ad.
Karen | 16 July 2009
I think the ad is straight forward and to the point. Great work.
Harriet | 15 July 2009
Corina
Just read your comment below and felt compelled to set you straight on a number of points.
1. This ad clearly relays an important message about homelessness. It's that recession leads to unemployment which leads to homelessness and crisis are there to help.
2. The blurb that so offends you clearly refers to the fact that media attention has concentrated on "greedy, incompetent bankers" and that the human consequences of recession have been largely ignored. That's true isn't it? And why get so wound up by something that isn't even in the ad itself?
3. To point the finger at "greedy, incompetent people who took out mortgages when they couldn't afford them" is way off the mark. Ordinary, decent, hard-working people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own are being affected every day by this recession.
Good luck crisis. worthy cause, great ad. deserves to be the winner.
And Corina, if anyone's sullying themselves with bullshit, it's you my dear.
Theo | 15 July 2009
Its a worthy cause with with no strings attached. Giving people hope. People like you and me. Bankers dentists doctors teachers housewifes farmers plumbers builders black white brown... yes it may get the sympathy vote but its worth it. Cynical? Probably. Reality? Pop down your local high street.
shirley-anne | 15 July 2009
love it! keep the good work up! x
laura | 15 July 2009
Please note there was a problem with the voting mechanism that wasn't altered as we entered into the Grand Prix. Voting percentages were never meant to be displayed at this stage and have therefore been removed. They will be posted on the 24th July when the consumer winner is announced (worth 50% of the overall vote). At this stage it goes to a 30 strong judging panel who will vote for their favourite based on clarity of message, branding and creative execution.
Alan Wilder | 15 July 2009
Clearly this ad has caused a lot of debate and discussion around the issue of homelessness and its causes and how we can help. That's got to be a valuable thing.
Hope it gets the chance to do this to a wider audience. Let's keep voting.
Bob | 15 July 2009
Where have the results gone. How are we doing?
SYLVIA | 15 July 2009
WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN A BIGGER BOLDER ADVERT SUCH AS 'CRISIS FOR THE HOMELESS. DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FOR LIFE'...
Bob | 15 July 2009
Where have the results gone. How are we doing?
Jen | 15 July 2009
This is a personal and biased response but valid nonetheless.
I'm disapointed. I like the crisis ads that focus on how much a small donation cna achive, the differnece it can make to people's lives. Like the 'menu' that fell out of the sunday papers at Christmas time. The concept of ending homelessness is nonsense. i wish it wasn't. But some, especially some with mental health problems or escaping abuse, will always be vulnerable. theyd eserve to be treated with dignity and receive our suport, but it is not a problem that will ever disappear. For me, the 'during a recession it could happen to anyone' approach just doesn't touch me in the same way.
Jason | 15 July 2009
Corina, I think you have the wrong end of the stick - this advert in no way blames the financial sector or bankers? It simply states that homelessness may increase during a recession?
Maggy | 15 July 2009
kGood advert, good cause
Corina | 15 July 2009
I'm extremely disappointed in the blurb on this site. I got into a quite heated debate with a woman over lunch when I was volunteering at Crisis this year, about this same topic.
Why the hell is there a reference to "greedy, incompetent bankers"? I'm disappointed that Crisis is nipping at the low branch, when there is such an important message to relay, about homelessness.
Take the high road, and don't get off-topic.
To all the people blaming bankers -- and for the record, I am in no way a banker -- how about all the greedy, incompetent people who took out mortgages when they couldn't afford them? How about some focus on them? Everyone does what they're legally allowed to do, bankers just got paid for it. Press coverage is way off, and I'm disgusted that Crisis would sully itself publicly with this bullshit.
Ken | 15 July 2009
On line. Heads straight for the inevitable destination. Couldn't do better myself.
Caitlin McKiernan | 15 July 2009
This ad is spot-on. Most of us are much closer to homelessness than we think. It's only a couple of stops along the way once things start to go wrong. So the visual pun is perfect. Good cause too - Crisis works a miracle every Christmas with an army of volunteers running on goodwill and empathy as well as helping people year round to get back on course.
Diana | 15 July 2009
I like it and hope Crisis wins to help more homeless.
John | 15 July 2009
Fine ad. Worthy cause. Go Crisis team!
Anthony | 15 July 2009
To be honest the competition shouldn't include both charitable and commercial ads -- of course people will be biased in favour of a good cause as opposed to butter.
Fortunately it's quite a nice ad.
Susan | 15 July 2009
Sour grapes Mike? Why can't it be because they are good adverts?
AJF | 15 July 2009
Still doesn't explain why they've jumped another 2% in the last five minutes!!
I just don't think this is visually striking in the way many of the other ads are, or that original....
Important cause though.
MARIA | 15 July 2009
When I did the Crisis stint @ Christmas I noticed a drop in Guests - however, this year looks like it will be a bumper year for all the wrong reasons ! :( Good luck to all.
Mike | 15 July 2009
I suspect it may have something to do with thousands of Crisis supporters voting as well..... but I guess Prostate Cancer charity are the same.
Unless, as charities, they're both getting the sympathy vote?
Susan | 15 July 2009
I think this is ad so popular today because it's relevant to today's news - mas unemployment is back, so homelessness may follow!
Bob | 15 July 2009
Cripes. This ad has done well. It's gone from about 10% to 28% in an hour. How has that been achieved?
Susan | 15 July 2009
Unemployment has hit a record high today - this advert couldn't be more topical!
singingcrayon | 15 July 2009
I saw this on the buses and was impressed by its immediacy. I didn't realise it was part of a competition too- gets my vote!
Jonny | 15 July 2009
This ad is fab - and it's catching up!
Keep it up folks - remember, vote every day!!
conor | 15 July 2009
simple and effective, works for me
Arnold | 14 July 2009
Clean design. Snappy idea.
Gets my vote - every day!
Ed | 14 July 2009
And just to prove my point - take a look at the tfl website, go to but route maps and click.
Delicious Industries | 14 July 2009
How can people not know that train, tube and bus maps are all designed in this way?? Open your eyes people!
Jackie | 14 July 2009
I have to say, I'm with Ed and Michael on this one. The first thing I thought was, "Why have they used tube imagery on a bus?" And it seems I'm not alone!
It's a shame, a quick look would leave you completely confused. Too bad, definitely not a winner for me.
Ed | 14 July 2009
Michael, have you ever used the bus? Their route maps actually use the same graphics as the tube - it's all tfl.
Whose scored an own goal now?
Michael | 14 July 2009
I can see what they're trying to do, but it looks like a tube map, bot a bus route!
own goal....
Brenda | 14 July 2009
It's brilliant, nice work
Sally | 14 July 2009
This is the cleanest, simplest and most hard-hitting of all the ads.
Hope | 14 July 2009
What happened to the tree of branch lines
sprouting out of crisis...
Education, Employment, Accommodation etc?
I think terminating the line in Crisis is abit abrupt.
It does make it very succinct though.
Grant | 14 July 2009
So good, he said it twice!
I agree though - great ad! I agree though - great ad!
James | 14 July 2009
Witty, clever and of the moment. Great ad.
James | 14 July 2009
Witty, clever and of the moment. Great ad.