Creative Agency Out of The Square Shortlisted for Prestigious Cairns Crocodiles Award

Out of The Square (OOTS), the innovative creative agency that prides itself on contributing to Newcastle becoming a global success, has been officially shortlisted for the 2024 Cairns Crocodiles Awards in the "Changing the World" category. This nomination celebrates OOTS's strategic and creative efforts in the "The Big Ask" campaign, a vital initiative for the Newcastle-based charity, Soul Hub.

The Cairns Crocodiles Awards are a cornerstone of the Cannes in Cairns festival, recognising exceptional creativity and effectiveness in advertising across national and international platforms. OOTS stands out as the only regional agency nominated in this impactful category, highlighting its unique approach to community-driven initiatives (such as Region Ready, Everyone has a Story and Sculptures at Scratchley).

"The Big Ask" was developed to support Soul Hub's ambitious goal to raise $1.8 million over 9 months, facilitating their relocation to a new, purpose-built facility. This campaign was not only about meeting a financial target, but also fostering a deeper sense of community, growing Soul Hub’s donor base, and expanding essential services to Newcastle’s most vulnerable.

Rick Prosser, CEO of Soul Hub, emphasised the impact: "This campaign brought our community together in unprecedented ways. The engagement and generosity that poured in has been nothing short of transformative for our operations and the lives we touch daily."

Marty Adnum, Founder of OOTS added "We're passionate about our community and driven to create campaigns that not only look good but do good. Donating our services to help achieve this ‘big ask’ was truly rewarding and now being nominated for such a coveted award is a real testament to the team's hard work and heart work."

Jennifer Young, Strategist at OOTS, shared insights on the campaign’s strategy and creative approach: “We saw an opportunity to tap into the collective spirit of Newcastle with a straightforward and resonant message. The results speak for themselves, not just in dollars raised but in the community spirit ignited."

Being a not-for-profit budget was limited. The campaign relied heavily on donated services and community empowerment to help spread the word. Featuring a suite of downloadable digital assets to facilitate a grassroots effort.

Soul Hub not only reached but exceeded its fundraising goal, securing $1.9 million and enhancing its capacity to serve the community comprehensively, including medical, dental, and legal services. The new facility opened its doors on December 11th, 2023, just in time for the holiday season, marking an exciting new chapter for Soul Hub and those it serves.

The winners of the Cairns Crocodiles Awards will be announced on June 6, 2024.