Women’s Refuge Valentine’s Day campaign via Saatchi’s shows love isn’t always what it seems

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Screen shot 2012-02-13 at 4.29.23 PM.jpgScreen shot 2012-02-13 at 4.29.33 PM.jpgThose searching for Valentine’s Day cards today and tomorrow in New Zealand may be in for a shock. Placed among the cards are some with a less than idyllic message inside.

The cards, which have a traditional Valentines Day exterior containing a darker message inside, are part of a campaign designed by Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand to remind kiwis that for some women, love has a very different outcome.

The campaign aims to bring domestic abuse into the open and encourages New Zealanders to take a second glance if they suspect something isn’t right in a relationship.

Women’s Refuge reported some regions experienced a near 100 percent rise in the numbers of women seeking help over the Christmas period for violent abuse with a twelve per cent increase last year in the numbers of women and children using their safe houses.

Screen shot 2012-02-13 at 4.29.52 PM.jpgScreen shot 2012-02-13 at 4.30.02 PM.jpgScreen shot 2012-02-13 at 4.30.15 PM.jpgScreen shot 2012-02-13 at 4.30.24 PM.jpg“We designed the campaign to encourage conversations and help those suffering make a change,” says Livia Esterhazy, General Manager at Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington.

The campaign sees the subversive Valentine’s Day cards placed in retailers around Auckland and Wellington, with readers urged to text 2026 to make a $5 text donation.

Animated Valentine’s e-cards can also be viewed on the Women’s Refuge website and via web banners.

Viewers are encouraged to donate and to share the cards via Facebook and Twitter. The campaign is supported by a radio ad with a twisted Valentine’s Day message of love.

“We love Valentines like the rest of the world, but think this is an issue that needs to be unwrapped,” says Women’s Refuge CEO Heather Henare.

“Women’s Refuge supports good love. We do not support gestures of love that hide abuse and violence. A great relationship is when a woman feels safe, respected and heard, she says.

Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand

Executive Creative Director: Antonio Navas

Creative Group Head: Anne Boothroyd

Head of Art: Mike Davison

Art Director: Emily Drake

Copywriter: Sarah Litwin-Schmid

General Manager: Livia Esterhazy

Account Executive: Katy Greening

NZ Director of Operations & Integrated Production: Heath Davy

Head of TVP: Jane Oak

Agency Producer: Loren Bradley

Executive Digital Producer: Haydn Thomsen

Digital producer: Linda Krug

Flash Developers: Mike McMillian, David Hunter, Les Porter

Partners Sound: Liquid Studios

Printing: Production Partners

Client: Women’s Refuge

Client Contact: Heather Henare