Yellow Ribbon Project banks on the selfie trend for a good cause

The annual Yellow Ribbon Project is kicking off once again. The organisation has partnered up with media agency UM and OOH media company Clear Channel to launch and promote the annual project. Initiated by the former president S R Nathan in 2004,YRP’s mission is to help ex-convicts be a part of the local society.Leveraging Clear Channel’s very first full-screen interactive selfie booths at selected bus-stop locations, the campaign seeks to engage an average Singaporean, irrespective of age, gender, income, status or lifestyle to evoke their emotions and bring the community closer to the ex-offenders. The booths allow participants to take a selfie and personalise them by adding borders, ribbons and icons.Participants can also include speech bubbles consisting of motivational messages in four different languages.These selfies are then uploaded onto Yellow Ribbon Project’s Facebook page. To reward those who have supported the cause, the most creative selfies stand to win prizes in the YRSelfie Challenge. A selection of the winning selfies will also be displayed on 10 different digital photo-walls across Singapore daily.This year, YRP is targeting SG$100,000 worth of donations through corporations towards the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Every photo taken and shared is a pledge in support of the cause that will help contribute to the targeted donation amount.[gallery link="file" ids="65576,65577,65578"]The campaign is also supported by six sheet posters that allows users to immediately download a starter kit on how to be a volunteer and help ex-offenders. Each of the elements will culminate with the Yellow Ribbon Run on 14 September, where an Instagram printer – another media first, will be launched at a key Clear Channel bus shelter along the race route.“Photo booths give commuters the opportunity to place themselves at the very heart of the campaign and share their emotions and words of encouragement as a way of showing support towards the ex-offenders,” Pat Lim, managing director of UM Singapore said.“Never before have photos held the power to attract viewers’ attention amidst a sea of information. They are also an integral part and parcel of social media. Combining Clear Channel’s media touch points and the power of words and smiles, we aim to rally support for YRP and look forward to being a part of their unique cause.”The annual Yellow Ribbon Run – the Project’s key flagship event is aimed at raising awareness and triggering real actions of acceptance of ex-offenders into work, communities and families. The Yellow Ribbon Prison Run for this year is slated to be held on 14 September, 2014.