Remembrance Day is fading into history. The gravity of war, as well as the human virtues that grow strong from it, are things that no one should forget. No one, and especially young gamers, who “play war” in a virtual world in which violence has no real consequences and courage and selflessness are understated.
Last year, the Royal Canadian Legion (a support organisation for veterans), in partnership with HomeEquity Bank and Zulu Alpha Kilo, brought the Remembrance Day moment of silence to video game streaming services like Twitch in a highly successful campaign in which nearly a million gamers in 114 countries around the world lay down their controllers. The campaign, #PauseToRemember, was part of a broader partnership around HomeEquity Bank’s sponsorship of the Legion’s digital poppy initiative.
This year’s campaign by Zulu Alpha Kilo is centered on a newly assembled group of WWII veterans called Team Legion. This team will be joining the world of online gaming to share their real experiences on Remembrance Day. Their logo was inspired by Esports teams and contains the number 11 — a nod to the moment of silence that occurs on 11th hour of November 11.
Team Legion is composed of decorated Canadian war heroes such as 100-year-old Captain Jack Rhine, 95-year-old Albert “Bert” Card, 97-year-old George Brewster and 96-year-old Jack Boeki. With many veterans unable to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies in person, Team Legion will be standing together on the virtual battlefield surrounded by players who will hear their stories and honour their service.
Zulu’s latest effort hearkens back to last year’s Digital Poppy campaign, in which 96-year-old veteran Ardwell Eyres joined social media to share a digital poppy as one of the world’s oldest influencers.
“We want to continue to connect with a younger audience and ensure that the importance of Remembrance Day is not forgotten,” stated Legion Dominion president, Thomas D. Irvine, CD. “Going into online gaming communities allows us help us educate those who may not know about Remembrance Day and why it so important that we support our veterans.”
“We took a big step forward to reach this audience by coming to them in their online gaming world with Team Legion. Gamers might see virtual battlefields any day of the week, but being able to connect with the amazing experiences of a 100 year old veteran, that’s something brand new,” added Zak Mroueh, chief creative officer and founder of Zulu Alpha Kilo. “We want to continue to support the Royal Canadian Legion, along with their veterans in ways that can breakthrough and truly resonate.”
Earlier in October, the Royal Canadian Legion and partner, HomeEquity Bank, launched their Digital Poppy initiative encouraging people to buy or donate a poppy at MyPoppy.ca. The Digital Poppy was developed in 2018 as a modern way for Canadians to support and remember Veterans online. A number of high-profile Canadian celebrities, including HomeEquity Bank spokesperson, Kurt Browning; Justin Bieber; Margaret Atwood; Sandra Oh; Ashley Callingbull; and Kevin Bieska, will serve as campaign ambassadors to champion the Digital Poppy on social media.
Zulu Alpha Kilo led the creative and strategy. Provident Communications led PR. OMD managed media planning and buying.
Last year’s campaign:
Credits:
Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Creative Director: Zak Mroueh
Art Director: Vic Bath, Michael Romaniuk
Copywriters: Dan Cummings & Jackson Kemp
Designers: Zoe Kim, Jeff Watkins & Vic Bath
Account Teamt: Anjelica Kapetanos & David Tremblay
Planning Team: Tim Hopkins
Media Agency: OMD
PR Agency: Provident
Producer: Mitch Cappe
Production House: Zulubot
Editor: Micah Rix-Hayes
Client: Home Equity Bank
Client Team: Niary Toodakian, Yvonne Ziomecki, Vivianne Gauci & Erin Wilson
