Brazilian ad campaign advises saving water in a funny way
12 Aug 2009
A Brazilian ad campaign is advising people to pee in the shower and conserve the 12 liters of water used in each flush of the toilet.
Sao Paulo-based F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi broke TV and radio spots, print and outdoor ads and a website spreading the shower urination suggestion to promote an event about saving the rainforest in Sao Paulo in May, according to Brazil's Meio & Mensagem trade magazine. The spot quickly went viral after Brazil's leading evening news program did a two-minute segment on the campaign.
Last week, F/Nazca did a more elaborate "Xixi no Banho" TV commercial featuring quick cuts of shadowy animated people and animal figures peeing behind shower curtains and stalls as a chorus of high-pitched childrens' voices sang in the background about how this conserves water and helps save the rainforest. The last frame explains that at 12 liters a flush, the average person can save 4,380 liters of water a year by taking advantage of their daily shower.
F/Nazca's client is SOS Mata Atlantica, a private Brazilian nonprofit dedicated to preserving the rainforest. The agency's public awareness campaigns for SOS Mata Atlantica have picked up prizes at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival and other shows.
