2007 Corbis Creativity for Social Justice Award Winners Announced

On Monday, Corbis today announced the winners of the 2007 Corbis Creativity for Social Justice Award in the professional and student categories. The Walker Agency won the award for its work on an Amnesty International campaign – "It's Not Happening Here. But it is Happening," which we all knew was going to take home some trinkets at the award shows; posted less than a year on Adland, the posters have become the 3rd most viewed post ever! Student scholarship winner, Jeanne Lee, was recognized for her creation of the "Plant a Seed for a Greener Apple" school project for Trees New York.

(click to see larger version of "Trees NYC" here)

The Social Justice award is part of Corbis' global signature community relations program, awarded through a special partnership with the Art Directors Club (ADC). The awards will be presented by Corbis CEO Steve Davis at the ADC 86th Annual Awards Gala on May 31, 2007. Amnesty International will receive $20,000 as the subject of the winning Walker campaign, and student, Jeanne Lee will receive a $5,000 scholarship for her winning campaign.

The Walker Agency team created a campaign for Amnesty International entitled "It's Not Happening Here. But it is Happening Now." With a limited budget to create only 200 posters Walker set out to raise awareness of the atrocities and inhumane treatment taking place all over the world. The logistics and timing were crucial in this campaign, and the results far surpassed expectations. The campaign designed for Switzerland soon became known around the world, driving traffic to the Amnesty International website and increasing awareness.

"This award is an honor because it truly helps people and supports a good cause," said Pius Walker, Creative Director, The Walker Agency. "Most awards send you home with a statue to display in your office, but with this award Corbis is raising awareness and making a difference by awarding Amnesty International as well as the agency."

See more of the Amnesty International poster campaign here.

Jeanne Lee, a student at the Pratt Institute, created a campaign for Trees New York called "Plant a Seed for a Greener Apple." Jeanne was tasked with developing a campaign for a non-profit of her choice for an honors class. Lee chose Trees New York, a non-profit that resides in lower Manhattan and promotes the preservation, pruning and protection of trees in The Five Boroughs.

Lee chose a simple, direct campaign that would engage the natural beauty of the trees in New York City to promote the non-profit's efforts. She created die cut billboards in the shapes of iconic New York structures such as the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the New York skyline. Some of the billboards are set against the natural backdrop of parks while others are set against prints of trees like the one that decorates a tour bus that circles the city.

"I chose to design a campaign for Trees New York because I believe in the cause and feel that the city needs to preserve and grow more trees," said Jeanne Lee. "I decided to go with a simple design that would use the natural backdrop to get the point across. This is the first time I’ve ever entered my work for an award, and I'm thrilled that Corbis and the ADC are recognizing my efforts."

"At Corbis we know that great creative work can have a really positive effect on the world, which is something we want to be recognized," said Steve Davis, CEO, Corbis. "The ADC shares our interest in promoting social justice, and our partnership with them allows us to reward the most talented and socially conscious group of creatives worldwide in an effort to promote social justice."