Queensland Gov wants beachgoers to ‘Do Your Part. Be Shark Smart’ in new campaign via GrowthOps Brisbane
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) is urging people to be shark safe in a new campaign for summer via GrowthOps Brisbane.
‘Do Your Part. Be SharkSmart’ asks all water users to follow simple behaviours to reduce their risk of a negative encounter with a shark.
The campaign comes in the wake of several shark bites along the Queensland coast in 2018 and 2019. State-wide research conducted by DAF, revealed that many Queenslanders were unaware there are steps they could take to minimise their personal risk of interacting with sharks.
A SHARKS acrostic was created to make the six SharkSmart behaviours, developed by DAF, easy to read and remember. To prompt recall in audio-visual campaign assets, a chant-like jingle was also created. Using a chorus of Queenslanders, the jingle informs audiences of the SharkSmart behaviours and encourages them to ‘Do your part. Be SharkSmart’.
Head of strategy and innovation at GrowthOps Brisbane, Caroline Starecky explained, “Some people think of sharks as unpredictable killing machines. However, when we learn more about their habitat, instincts and behaviours, people realise there are ways to reduce the risk they present to water users and increase the likelihood they will stay safe in the water.”
GrowthOps Brisbane creative director, Lindsay Thompson added, “We initially explored ways of re-framing pop culture references like the Jaws theme music and Baby Shark song but we didn’t want to emphasise fear or trivialise sharks. Ultimately, we found that using rhyme, repetition and a stylised treatment allowed us to creatively deliver on the strategic goals of changing behaviour and reducing the likelihood of harm.”
The campaign acknowledges that sharks are present along the Queensland coastline and are an important part of our marine ecosystems.
DAF senior education officer (Shark Control Program), Katie Emmert said, “Our long-term goal is for SharkSmart behaviours to become second-nature for all Queensland water users. No different from being Crocwise. ‘Do your part. Be SharkSmart’ is a platform for targeting each of the SharkSmart behaviours for Queensland water users.”
The campaign is running on social and digital channels, radio and audio streaming across Queensland until 31 January 2021.
Credits:
Agency – GrowthOps
• Creative Director: Lindsay Thompson
• Senior Art Director: Simon Budzevski
• Senior Copywriter: Tim Kelly
• Group Account Director: Dianne Grice
• Junior Account Directors: Linh Diep & Dan Paull
• Account Manager: Sharon Grobler
• Sound Designer: David Gaylard
• Motion Graphics: Benjamin Drake
• Senior Mac Artist: Steve Wallwork & Gaelle Masurier
• Production Director: Phil Hagstrom
• Post-production – GrowthOps
Client – Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
• Senior Education Officer (Shark Control Program): Katie Emmert
• Principal Communications and Media Officer: Marcia Roscrow
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topics
Caroline Starecky
GrowthOps Brisbane
Katie Emmert
Lindsay Thompson
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Queensland government
