December 5, 2011

MOBY,GOTYE, BOY&BEAR AND AUSTRALIA’S MUSIC ELITE JOIN FORCES WITH GPY&R SYDNEY IN MASSIVE BUSINESS DRIVE FOR VINNIES

George Patterson Y&R Sydney has developed a multi-platform campaign for Vinnies designed to drive foot traffic through the charity’s 253 stores across NSW.

It’s called Signed Finds and works on a very basic principle. Leading local and international music artists* have autographed and donated pre-loved, personal items that will be hidden in Vinnies outlets throughout the state. The fans of these bands (numbering in the millions) will receive hints about the shirts’ whereabouts through a dedicated Facebook page and then hit the stores to find them. They might not find the shirt first time, but they’ll likely walk out with some other Vinnies classic.

Says ECD Julian Watt, “It’s a highly creative business initiative, and exactly the sort of thinking we’re pushing in the agency. Everyone wins. One of those self perpetuating ideas.”

Luke Simkins, senior creative at GPY&R and long-time Vinnies shopper said, “Signed Finds is one of those creative perfect storms.

“Recording artists get to do something cool for their fans and fans can get their hands on an amazing piece of memorabilia - all while helping people in need.”

Julie McDonald, Community and Corporate Relations Manager for Vinnies said, “We’re delighted and honoured to be working with George Patterson Y&R on such an exciting project.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved because by shopping or donating to Vinnies, you are directly supporting the most marginalised and disadvantaged people in our community,” Julie added.

The initiative officially kicks off on December 5 and will continue throughout the festival season and for as long as fans seek out signed items from their music idols.

To get live updates of the artists who have joined Signed Finds, visit www.signedfinds.com.au and search for “Signed Finds” on Facebook and Twitter.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: JULIAN WATT ECD GEORGE PATTERSON Y&R SYDNEY TEL: (02) 9778 7117

PRODUCTION CREDITS: ECD: JULIAN WATT CONCEPT: LUKE SIMKINS ART DIRECTORS / DESIGNERS / CREATIVES / WRITERS: NATHAN DUNN, DAVID JACKSON, STEVE IANNELLO, BEN AKERS, MICHAELA BROWN, LUKE SIMKINS PLANNER: MICHAELA BROWN

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT: EMMA BOYLE, PAUL COLES, CORINA OBOROCIANU PRODUCERS: ALEX HAY / BOHDI LEWIS / LUKE SIMKINS FAVOURS: EVERYONE

*artists participating so far include Sneaky Sound System, Neil Finn, Matt Corby, Moby, Urthboy, Tex Perkins, The Tongue, Horrorshow, COG, Faker, Kimbra, Peter Garrett, The Wombats, Freelance Whales, Fitz and the Tantrums, The Hungry kids of Hungary, Avalanche City, Gotye, John Butler, Jimmy Barnes, Georgia Fair, Sally Seltmann, Big Scary, Bliss N’ Eso, Boy & Bear, The Living End, Because They Can, The Joe Kings, Boy In A Box, Roscoe James Irwin, Guineafowl, Sarah Blasko, The Vines, (I, A Man) The Holidays, Illy, Jebediah, The Rosebuds, Leader Cheetah, Papa vs Pretty, The Walking Who, Oh Mercy, Blue Juice, Holly Throsby, Julia Stone, Kid Kenobi, Tim and Jean, Art vs Science, Feeding Edgar, Cloud Contol, Chromeo, Children Colide and Passion Pit.