HUL: The Shower #startalittlegood (PSA December 2018)

~ Kolla Krishna Madhavi

"Thoda sa paani...kissike zindagi badal sakti hai!"

Conceptualised by Ogilvy Mumbai and directed by Bauddhayan Mukherji from Little Lamb Films Pvt. Ltd., the compelling story of "The Shower" unfolds in Mangalaram ki Dhaani, one of Rajasthan's most arid villages. 

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.: The Shower
Image Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., SocialSamosa

A farmer while returning home chances upon a shower cubicle in the middle of the desert. Curious, he opens the shower door. When he turns on the tap and water begins to flow, his first instinct is to simply "drink" the precious water. 

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.: The Shower
Image Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Exchange4Media

Soon, other villagers gather and start drinking in turns from the shower. There are joyous and wondrous faces all around!

It is poignant to see a mother feed her baby with the water directly from the shower (unlike the 'boiling and filtering of water' mindset which is more prevalent). Another woman collects water in a pot with a delighted smile on her face. 

The visuals simply tug at one's heartstrings!

While a privileged few with access to running water do not hesitate to spend hours in a shower wasting precious resources, in sharp contrast are those in dire need, struggling to get even clean drinking water within walking distance. 

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.: The Shower
Image Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

As a part of Hindustan Unilever Ltd's (HUL) CSR initiative 'Start A Little Good', the film shows the polarity between accessibility and consumption of water in an urban setting vis-a-vis a barren village environment. As on date, HUL has been able to save 450 billion litres of water with its efforts. Although commendable, it may still be a few drops in a parched land.

Half a village can quench their thirst with the amount of water consumed in just one shower.

The message is loud and clear...let us  #startalittlegood ...have a shorter shower and turn off the tap - conserve a little water each time and make that crucial difference!

Incidentally, the water used in the film was recycled and given to the villagers.

     

                                                                               Hindustan Unilever Ltd | The Shower #startalittlegood
                                                Video Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Ogilvy Mumbai, Little Lamb Films, YouTube

Images Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Ogilvy Mumbai, Google Images and other online resources.
Video Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Ogilvy Mumbai, Little Lamb Films Pvt. Ltd., YouTube & other online resources.

Resources:
https://www.socialsamosa.com/2018/12/hindustan-unilever-the-shower-campaign/
https://www.bestadsontv.com/ad/99211/Unilever-India-Hindustan-Unilever-Limited-The-Shower
https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/does-hindustan-unilevers-viral-ad-film-the-shower-strike-a-chord-93566.html
http://www.adageindia.in/advertising/sustainable-living-brands-have-grown-nearly-50-faster-than-other-brands-says-huls-corporate-team/articleshow/67352505.cms
https://www.mumbrella.asia/2018/12/start-a-little-good-for-unilever-india-kicks-off-with-film-about-a-shower-cubicle-in-a-desert

Note:
***Would be wonderful to hear your thoughts. You're also welcome to share the post or quote from it with appropriate credits, but please do not copy or reproduce this article in any format, device or language (human or machine), either in part or in full, without the explicit written permission of the author.
Subject to Copyright @2018.
The author has not been paid or compensated in any form for expressing an opinion.

Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed above are purely personal and as understood and interpreted by the author. They're not to be construed as an expert opinion or a formal analysis or deemed as accurate, valid, suitable or complete information in any form or manner. The reader is requested to use their own judgment and understanding for the same. 

None of the products or features discussed above are necessarily, as stated or endorsed by any of the respective companies.

Hamam Neem: #GoSafeOutside (TVC 2017)

~ Kolla Krishna Madhavi

While a social change is sweeping across the country, the Hamam Soap ad launched in July 2017 is also doing its bit to bring in a change not just in the thinking of the society, but in equipping oneself for an unwarranted possibility, especially young girls.

Hamam Ad #GoSafeOutside 2017
https://www.kulzy.com

The commercial starts off with the mother catching a news snippet about it being unsafe for women to step outside. She gets apprehensive and when her daughter suggests going alone for tuition, the mother insists on taking her. Seems to be as expected so far, but instead of taking her for tuition, the mother takes her to learn "Silambam", an ancient martial art for self-defense (which was often restricted to men).

Hamam Ad #GoSafeOutside 2017
https://d3bzyjrsc4233l.cloudfront.net/

Later (once her daughter has earned her belt), when her daughter asks her if she is not going to take her to tuition, the mother responds, "No, because now you are ready to go out alone".

Conceptualised by Ogilvy Mumbai, Hamam through its ad is trying to champion safety for women. The message is sensitive and addresses a very important aspect of being properly kitted out. Instead of getting caught off-guard, the mother tries to instill the right level of self-preparedness and confidence in her child. When the girl questions her mother on why she is being made to undergo so much difficulty learning "Silambam" while it is so hot, her mother's statement, "Because I'm your amma" (mother) says it all. 

HUL's Hamam soap was launched in 1931. Since then, the company has a legacy of promoting natural ingredients for skin care, but the recent ad series has stepped up with its active focus on empowering the youth brigade. It is a conscious shift in the brand's approach from just skin cleansing as a part of one's daily ritual to developing safe practices in one's daily life. 

Although the ad is targeted primarily to one state, its message holds good for a wider audience. And irrespective of gender, one needs to be prepared for any eventuality, even if it means going through tough preparation now. 

Get strong and be ready to face the world! 

Go Safe Outside!

                                                                                 Hamam Ad #GoSafeOutside 2017
                                                                            Video Courtesy: Hamam #GoSafeOutside

Images Courtesy: HUL, Hamam, Ogilvy Mumbai, Google Images & other online resources.
Video Courtesy: HUL, Hamam, Ogilvy Mumbai, YouTube & other online resources.

Note:
***Would be wonderful to hear your thoughts. You're also welcome to share the post or quote from it with appropriate credits, but please do not copy or reproduce this article in any format, device or language (human or machine), either in part or in full, without the explicit written permission of the author. Subject to Copyright @2018.
The author has not been paid or compensated in any form for expressing an opinion.

Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed above are purely personal and as understood and interpreted by the author. They're not to be construed as an expert opinion or a formal analysis or deemed as accurate, valid, suitable or complete information in any form or manner. The reader is requested to use their own judgment and understanding for the same. 

None of the products or features discussed above are necessarily, as stated or endorsed by any of the respective companies.