Ogilvy gets cricketers to join its Mask Force against COVID-19

Ogilvy India has created a distinct and engaging anti-Coronavirus campaign for the Government of India, under the title, ‘Mask Force’. It involves some of India’s most loved and celebrated cricketers talking to the nation, starting with Virat Kohli and concluding with Sachin Tendulkar. The line-up also includes women cricketing stars such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj.

Saying a small part each of the overall message, the cricketers make a point that while India has great cricketing teams, the time has come to form a formidable team of 1.3 billion Indians called ‘Mask Force’. A force that is very easy for every Indian to join and defeat the spreading Coronavirus. Simply by making our own masks at home and always ensuring that we do not step out of our home without wearing our masks. Each cricketer leads the way by pulling up their unique mask after inspiring the country to do the same.

BCCI was instrumental in getting together the cricketers required for the campaign. Given the popularity of cricket in India, where it is informally referred to as the ‘National Religion’, it was no surprise that the video is being loved and shared with immense swiftness.

Also read:
Are you ready to join Piyush Pandey’s ‘Mask Force’?

Speaking about the exercise, Ogilvy’s Chief Creative Officer Worldwide and Executive Chairman, India, Piyush Pandey, said, “For decades now, we at Ogilvy have stepped up to stand by our country’s needs through our CSR, be it for Polio Eradication, Literacy, fighting crimes against women and many more causes. So, as soon as the Government of India approached us for our effectiveness in spreading messages to the masses, we wholeheartedly jumped in to do our bit. I believed that ‘Mask Force’ would be a likeable term that could be used to galvanise the whole country, hence decided to name this program ‘Mask Force’.”

Ogilvy has also said that this is the first in the Mask Force series of exercises it is partnering the Government on, in India’s war against COVID-19.

Campaign Credits:

Creative Agency: Ogilvy

CCO, Worldwide & Executive Chairman, India: Piyush Pandey

CCOs India: Kainaz Karmakar, Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Sukesh Nayak

ECD & Copywriters:  Talha Bin Mohsin, Mahesh Parab

Creative team: Gunjan Gaba, Ajit Kumar Sahoo, Arnab Choudhury & Hari Rawat

Account Management: Executive Vice President - Vivek Verma

Management Supervisor: Shoaib Alim

Production House: Corcoise Films

Director: Neha K Kaul

Executive Producer: Cyrus Pagdiwala