A fountain with bronze-like statues on London’s South Bank is classic in every sense – except that those statues are spewing ghastly murky water. The installation, The Fountain of Filth, by 4creative and Glue Society promotes a new factual drama series from Channel 4, Dirty Business, highlighting the human cost of Britain’s sewage scandal which is a key theme of the series. A campaign video by Glue Society and Biscuit Filmworks supports the 10-metre-wide fountain open to the public at Observation Point February 23-25, while the series airs on Channel 4.
The statues are inspired by real human stories, with the likenesses of Surfers Against Sewage’s Lizzie Cresswell; Windermere environmentalist, Matt Staniek, outdoor swimmer and journalist, Ella Foote; and ex-pro surfer, Sophie Hellyer, included among the statues. A suited business executive, representing water companies’ failings, stands at the top of the fountain, his briefcase and pockets stuffed with cash.
The fountain directs visitors to discover The Sick Truth Behind Britain’s Sewage Scandal through a QR code on its plaque, where they can hear first-hand stories from those affected in specially commissioned interviews.
The series is based on a decade-long investigation into England’s water companies. It reveals real stories of whistle blowers and victims who believe their lives have been destroyed after encountering sewage polluted water. David Thewlis, Jason Watkins, Asim Chaudhry, Tom McKay and Bafta Rising Star nominee, Posy Sterling, lead the cast of Dirty Business, which is produced by Partygate creators, Halcyon’s Heart.
The full campaign includes ad vans that will visit water company headquarters with messages telling them to “Get Ready for Their Close Up”, and appear at ,beaches where water companies have previously dumped sewage to ask, “Would You Swim Here?”.
Credits:
Client: Channel 4
Client Team: Katie Jackson, Lisa Nash, Nic Moran, Anna Kerr, Charlotte Lewis, Gabi Schuman, Alice McGinn, Rachel Gordon & Imogen Birkett
Creative Agency: 4Creative
Director: Miketta Lane
Executive Creative Director: David Wigglesworth
Creative Directors: Andy Vasey & Dan Warner
Creatives; Sofie Saietz, Simone Weilborg, Giorgia La Vecchia & Tilly Glancy
Head Of Creative Operations: Olivia Jones
Project Manager: Sophie Mcneill
Head of Design: Rob Boon
Designer: Aimi Awang
Artworker: Zen St George
Head of Production: Charlie Bettice
Executive Producer: Louise Oliver
Producers: Rory Maclean, Faye Gillespie, Molly Haviland, Max Williamson
Production Assistant: Bil-Marhamah Rahman
Senior Promotions Director: James Brown
PR: Olivia Boardman
Campaign Partner: Glue Society
Production Companies: Biscuit Filmworks UK & Revolver
Founding Partner: Shawn Lacy
Managing Director: Rupert Reynolds-Maclean
Executive Producer: Daisy Mellors
Producer: Tom Birmingham
Head of Production: Emily Atterton
Production Designer: Oliver Hogan
SFX: Machine Shop
Set Designer: Little Parrot
Director of Photography: Rob Farley
1st AC: Brandon Harrison
Editor: Kyle Rossiter
Photographer: Max Parker
Retouching: Stuart Frost @ Curious Productions
Post Production & VFX: Platform Post-Production & Picture Shop
OOH Media Partner: Talon Social
Social Media: 4studio
Media: OMD UK
