We Are Otter founding partner Simon Jarosz, Ben Welsh and Noah Regan were just some of the creatives that worked on Yes23’s Yes Campaign video advert that is going live from Friday.
This week Yes23 Campaign launched its first national advertising campaign, extending an invitation to all Australians to join in the movement for a successful referendum on constitutional recognition through a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Production of the advertisement was overseen by Creative Directors, Simon Jarosz and Ben Welsh and Executive Producer, Carli Jarosz.
You can watch it HERE.
Various elements of the commercial have been developed with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives, including independent film-maker director Dylan River, a Kaytetye man who grew up in Alice Springs, celebrated playwright and creative industry leader Wesley Enoch AM, a Quandamooka man, and Tristan Field – a Walbanga (Walbunja) and Gurriwal man who composed the music behind the ad.
‘Join Us’ is just the first step in a many months-long conversation with Australians between now and the referendum, which will include more national commercials and talking to everyday Australians about the opportunity to be part of a successful referendum.
The main voice-over is by Uncle Allen Madden, Gadigal Elder and member of the Board of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
A face of the commercial is Arrernte elder Aunty Sabella Turner. She has spent a career working in Aboriginal health services around Alice Springs, and is currently Cultural Lead at the Central Aboriginal Congress.
It also features John “Choc” Anderson, an Awabakal man known for his active role in the local community in Newcastle, NSW.
Mr Anderson said: “This referendum is a chance to make Australia a better country for our grandchildren. That’s why I’m happy to support it.
“It really is a simple message. We can recognise the place of Aboriginal people in this country and give them a say over things that affect them.”
Mr River, who filmed the footage of Aunty Sabella, said: “I back this cause because it will bring together the diverse voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“People from the desert, country and the cities have a similar goal with local differences. Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament that will give them a say will support better outcomes on the ground, in communities, where it matters.”
Yes Campaign Alliance director Dean Parkin said: “By sending this first ‘Yes’ message onto the screens of Australian homes, it shifts the conversations out of the Canberra bubble and back to where they really matter, with Australians from all walks of life.
“Saying ‘Join Us’ underlines the importance of this being a movement of the people, something that is actively driven by people on the ground.
“We have been energised by the commitment of thousands of Australians who have so far come forward to support the campaign in many ways, and the conversation still has much further to go, with Australians hearing more and more about constitutional recognition through a Voice in the months to come.”
Australians will begin to see the advertisements on television from Friday April 28. Advertisements will appear also be appearing online and on billboards and bus stops next month.
Credits
Creative Directors: Simon Jarosz (We Are Otter founding partner) and Ben Welsh
Creative Director: Noah Regan
Executive Producer: Carli Jarosz (We Are Otter partner)
Director / DoP: Nicholas Price
Director: Dylan River
Camera assistant / Focus Pull: Zeke Collins
Sound Engineer: James Yeremeyev
Producers: Michael Gosden and Warren Keuning
Cultural Liaison / Musical composer: Tristan Field
Creative Consultant: Wesley Enoch AM
Post Production Director: John Agapitos
Sound Design/Mixer: Justin Flynn
Voice over: Allen Madden
Media: LoveMedia
