Special Olympics applauded in the Office

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The Special Olympics movement was promoted this year in Australia with ‘Office’, a wry television commercial preparing for the National Games being held on the Gold Coast, October 1 -- 8.

Office colleagues stare at mail attendant

‘Office’ begins with the squeaking wheel of a mail trolley. Heads turn as the mail attendant, a man with Downs Syndrome, delivers envelopes to each cubicle occupant. One woman asks her colleague, “Can you believe he works here with us?”. Another woman speaks on the phone, “Did you hear about what he did last week?”.

Mail attendant looks back

By the water cooler two men watch the mail attendant walk down the corridor. “Hey look at him! That guy’s a freak”, says one. The other replies, “Can you believe it? He won gold in the hundred”. “Legend”, says the first, starting a round of applause that spreads to a standing ovation throughout the office. The ovation moves to the sound of a crowd’s applause with the super, “Special Olympics Australia. Participate. Volunteer. Donate. specialolympics.com.au“.

Credits

Special Olympics Office was created at advertising agency Whybin TBWA, Sydney, by creative director Gary Horner, copywriter Misha McDonald and art director Dave O’Sullivan.

Filming was directed by Rodd Martin, and produced by Helene Nicol, at production company, The Guild. The Guild hosts Special Olympics as an 8.9 mb quicktime video.

Applause in the office

So what do you think? Does it work? The use of the word ‘freak’ ruined the script -- not ambiguous enough. The tone comes across as somewhat patronising. However it’s worth watching again to catch the nuances each time.

Smiling mail attendant

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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 28th, 2006 at 11:25 pm and is filed under Inspiration, TV Ads Cinema and Online Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.