Fight for you wins Media Campaign of the Year

The powerful Fight for you 100 Day Challenge campaign created by McCann Melbourne for the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation has won Media Campaign of the Year in the 2013 AdNews Awards.

The bold campaign, which features four real people taking control of their gambling problems in front of the camera for 100 days, motivated more than 3,000 people to take up their own challenge.

Foundation chief executive officer Serge Sardo says McCann and the Foundation owe the success of campaign to its four brave participants.

“We congratulate and thank Anna, Matt, Aleks and Dan for their commitment to overcoming their gambling problems and for sharing their stories with the world,” he said.

“These remarkable people have inspired over 3,350 people to follow in their footsteps and sign up for the 100 Day Challenge,” said Mr Sardo.

More than just a campaign, www.fightforyou.com.au is a support service where people can find out about counselling options, join online forums, set goals, and receive tips and tools for controlling their gambling.

“Since we first launched the campaign in March 2013, the website has attracted over 300,000 visitors, demonstrating an appetite for information about problem gambling and the support services that are available,” said Mr Sardo.

Foundation ambassador and Fight for you participant Matt Torcasio, 27, says the Foundation’s campaign has changed his life for the better.

“As someone who has battled with gambling for over seven years, I know how tough it can be to recognise you have a problem,” said Matt.

“The 100 Day Challenge is the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m so much happier in myself and my life is back on track. I encourage anyone who thinks they may have gambling issues to visit www.fightforyou.com.au,” said Matt.

This award is not the first accolade for the Fight for you campaign, with creative agency McCann also claiming a bronze in the ADMA Awards for Online Broadcast/Video and being selected as a finalist in the London International Awards 2013.

Since completing the 100 Day Challenge, the Foundation has continued to follow the progress of the four participants.

In the latest Fight for you advertisements, Matt and Anna talk about life after 100 days, highlighting how important seeing a Gambler’s Help counsellor has been in their recovery.

Find out more and sign up for the 100 Day Challenge at fightforyou.com.au

Free, confidential help is available for gamblers and their families, 24/7 through Gambler’s Helpline 1800 858 858 or Gambling Help online gamblinghelponline.org.au