Harrison’s Story wins The Drum Grand Prix

The whole team is so proud to share the news that our film Harrison’s Story swept the boards at The Drum Marketing Awards EMEA.

Harrison’s Story was awarded four category wins by an international judging panel of 83 highly respected marketers – for Best Creative, Advertising, Disruption and Public Sector/Charity/Not for profit ad – and also took the Grand Prix as the most outstanding, effective piece of creative.

The film tells the story of Harrison Ballantyne, who tragically lost his life in 2017 when he inadvertently found himself in a rail freight depot and was electrocuted by overhead power lines. We worked with Network Rail, the British Transport Police and Harrison’s parents to tell his story, in a film that reduced child trespass by 62% and cut overall trespass by 23%.

Here’s what some of the judges had to say:

“I would like to honor the work of the EMEA Drum Grand Prix Prize winners Storycatchers and their client Network Rail for this sensitive and highly impactful work… Words about Marketing x Purpose only go so far, it's content like this founded on bravery, altruism and raw talent that has the ability to make profound societal strides, and in this case save lives.”
Penny Brook, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Canada Goose

“A great bit of work in every single aspect.”
Scott Sommerville, Chief Marketing Officer, E.ON

“It was excellent work, sensitive storytelling, beautifully executed. It is an unforgettable campaign and you should all be so proud. I have two young boys and Harrison's story will stay with me for a long time.”
Katie Evans, Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King

Awards are nice to have, for clients and their agencies, and we are sincerely grateful to the panel of judges for their time and recognition.

But it’s what underpins the awards that really matters. The recognition of the ambition and efficacy of the work, in the face of often thorny challenges. Doing work that works and has a positive impact on people is what motivates us all, so we are so pleased and proud that we did Harrison justice, and honoured that we were able to support his parents in making sure that his story cuts through and saves lives.