Buy two anti-shark finning billboards in China for $100

[Guest echeng]

Shark Savers and WildAid are collaborating on a multi-media campaign in China targeting the consumers of shark fin soup. For $100 you can fund a "Say 'no' to shark fin soup" bus stop billboard featuring basketball star Yao Ming, one of China's most popular and influential citizens. For a limited time, a sponsor of Shark Savers is matching donations, so your $100 gets TWO billboards put up.

 

 

 

This campaign targets the largest consumers of shark fin via a local hero's influence -- fighting from the inside is the only effective way to stop shark finning in the long term.

Last year, WildAid had 200 billboards in Beijing for 3 months. In a survey, 19% of Beijingers responding remembered having seen the boards and 82% of those people said they would stop or reduce their consumption of shark fin soup. Imagine the power of 1000 billboards for an entire year. This campaign works and your billboard will have an impact!

In general, I am cynical about Western efforts to stop shark finning, but this campaign really caught my eye, and I've used my wallet to voice support. For $100, I just sponsored two billboards.

 

Act now: http://www.sharksavers.org/en/get-involved...d-in-china.html

[loftus 42]

Great concept; sure hope it's effective. Donated for my two billboards. It would be nice if one could track the effectiveness somehow and make a decision about ongoing donations - I guess the $100 pays for 1 month only.

[shawnh 0]

This is one campaign that is working. The most reputable marketing research firm in China tracked the first iteration of this campaign. Of the those surveyed, 19% recalled it seeing it and a staggering 82% said they would reduce or stop consumption of the soup!!! Yao is the most influential person in China today. His word carries a LOT of weight. This is a narrow window in time to leverage this influence and truly impact demand for shark fin soup at the heart.

 

I have contributed and I am asking everyone I know to do the same. Thank you folks!

[philsokol 1]

This is a no-brainer for me - I bought 2. Attack the problem at the source!

 

Phil

[bmyates 5]

This is a no-brainer for me - I bought 2. Attack the problem at the source!

Phil

 

Ditto that for me, Phil - I bought 2, too!

 

The survey evidence suggests that raising awareness DOES work, at least when it seems to be backed by a "celebrity"! I think it's a great idea!

[Deep6 7]

Ditto that for me, Phil - I bought 2, too!

 

The survey evidence suggests that raising awareness DOES work, at least when it seems to be backed by a "celebrity"! I think it's a great idea!

A modest proposal: I am a little less prosperous than some of you. May be WetPixel could setup an account whereby we could chip in through PayPal.

Bob

[bmyates 5]

A modest proposal: I am a little less prosperous than some of you. May be WetPixel could setup an account whereby we could chip in through PayPal.

Bob

 

Bob,

 

No need for Wetpixel to do it. If you follow the link in Eric's post, and click on the link there to donate, you'll find that you can donate any amount. From that page:

 

"Thank you for joining us in a proven campaign that truly motivates people to stop eating shark fin soup. Your billboard will make sure citizens of Beijing and Shanghai see this message every day.

 

Double your impact. At this time, your donation will result in a $1 for $1 matching grant, provided by one of Shark Savers' generous donors.

 

Feel free to donate any amount you are able to."

Edited November 18, 2009 by bmyates

[Deep6 7]

Bob,

 

No need for Wetpixel to do it. If you follow the link in Eric's post, and click on the link there to donate, you'll find that you can donate any amount. From that page:

 

"Thank you for joining us in a proven campaign that truly motivates people to stop eating shark fin soup. Your billboard will make sure citizens of Beijing and Shanghai see this message every day.

 

Double your impact. At this time, your donation will result in a $1 for $1 matching grant, provided by one of Shark Savers' generous donors.

 

Feel free to donate any amount you are able to."

 

I'm in. Thanks Bruce.

Bob

[shawnh 0]

I am really excited to see peoples passion for this one. We so often say "what can I do, the problem is so huge?". This is a very tangible opportunity for everyone who cares to actually do something that matters. I hope anyone who can afford doesn't let let an opportunity like this slip by.

-shawn

[acuevas 4]

Thank you very much for let us know about this campaign.

 

I just donated US$200. That's a lot of money for me but I think that this is important.

 

Shark fin soup is one of the saddest things that people is doing to the earth.

This is our opportunity to do something and make a change.

 

I will use facebook in order to spread the news.

 

If anyone has links about others sources with confirmations about the effectiveness of this campaign, please let us know. It will be easier to convince others with this information.

[CamDiver 5]

Shark Savers and WildAid are collaborating on a multi-media campaign in China targeting the consumers of shark fin soup. For $100 you can fund a "Say 'no' to shark fin soup" bus stop billboard featuring basketball star Yao Ming, one of China's most popular and influential citizens. For a limited time, a sponsor of Shark Savers is matching donations, so your $100 gets TWO billboards put up.

 

 

 

This campaign targets the largest consumers of shark fin via a local hero's influence -- fighting from the inside is the only effective way to stop shark finning in the long term.

Last year, WildAid had 200 billboards in Beijing for 3 months. In a survey, 19% of Beijingers responding remembered having seen the boards and 82% of those people said they would stop or reduce their consumption of shark fin soup. Imagine the power of 1000 billboards for an entire year. This campaign works and your billboard will have an impact!

In general, I am cynical about Western efforts to stop shark finning, but this campaign really caught my eye, and I've used my wallet to voice support. For $100, I just sponsored two billboards.

 

Act now: http://www.sharksavers.org/en/get-involved...d-in-china.html

Fantastic undertaking. I'm going to be channeling some of our planned donations budget to this effort over the coming months.

 

Cheers,

Mark.

[Bigeye Bubblefish 7]

Hopppp,

 

I just contributed.

Returning from Coco Island, this is a minimum requirement from my point of view.

[Hamish Morrison 0]

I think this stands a really good chance of being effective. I'm in...

 

Hamish.

[debersole 3]

Thanks for the link Eric. I just contributed as well.

[DDT uk 4]

I've added. A really worthy cause.

 

Daniel

[AMW 0]

Definitely a no-brainer contribution. My attitude is that if I can afford to travel to dive, the least I can do is to contribute to the greater picture. Also, it is getting frustrating (and sad) that while diving I am seeing fewer and fewer sharks because they are stewing in a soup bowl somewhere in China. Great link. Thanks Wetpixel and Shark Savers!!!

[Mathis 0]

I'm IN on this. Great cause and brilliant approach!

Thanks for sharing this!

[xariatay 1]

Contributed through an US friend. Wish they can put up the bill boards in Southern China (Guangzhou, Shenzhen), Hong Kong & Taiwan & S'pore. Think every Chinese knows Yao Ming... Or use Jackie Chan (think he has done adverts for Wildaid but not shark fins specific...)

[CamDiver 5]

Have now funded my own board and also as a collaborative effort my idive sharks site has funded three boards and counting. Our goal is ten boards by end of December.

 

Cheers,

Mark.

[wagsy 0]

Great idea, I'll throw some money at it too.

[col 0]

I'm in too! - the sponsors are still matching contributions!

[CamDiver 5]

We've generated enough sales from a Calender project to cover 9 boards now, the drive will last through December.

 

Cheers,

Mark.

[CamDiver 5]

Will post our total number of boards funded over the next couple of days.

 

Cheers,

Mark.

[drako 0]

Just donated for two billboards

[acuevas 4]

I just received my certificate

 

 

They reached 1000 billboards for a full year!!!