Intouch was awarded the “Best Rare Disease Campaign” at the 33rd annual Med Ad News Manny Awards on April 22, a recognition for the “Kind to Each Other – Fierce Against MD” campaign for Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy.
The goal of the campaign was to increase awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is an incurable and fatal genetic disorder that gradually weakens the body’s muscles, and affects one in 5,000 newborn babies, primarily boys. Currently, there is no cure, and most afflicted do not survive past early adulthood.
Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy is a nonprofit organization created by the parents of Conner Curran, who was diagnosed with Duchenne MD at age 4. The nonprofit’s mission is to bring together family and friends in support of charitable giving for muscular dystrophy research. In short, Intouch’s goal was to increase awareness about DMD and encourage attendance at a recent fundraising event, the proceeds of which are directed toward medical and scientific research to end this disease.
The campaign “Kind to Each Other – Fierce Against MD” included an augmented-reality filter-driven social media blitz, encouraging supporters to “become” their favorite fierce animal, created with award-winning photographer Ale Burset, as well as other elements – all of which helped the live event to raise a record-breaking, target-smashing $258,000 for research.
In addition to the Manny Award for Best Rare Disease Campaign, Intouch was also a finalist for Most Creative Agency, Best Consumer Print Campaign (for two different campaigns!), Best Experiential Campaign, Best Patient Engagement Campaign, Best Philanthropic Campaign, and the Heart Award, recognizing agencies that embody a high commitment to philanthropic and social causes.