Experiential Event Raised Awareness in HealthCare

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DefeatDD

Making a Splash With an Experiential Event

Nonprofit
Branding
Experiences
Video

Goal

NJI previously worked with DefeatDD, a global PATH initiative to prevent and treat deadly diarrhea (DD) in children, to reimagine its website. In this project, we brought DefeatDD’s digital presence to life at a marquee event in Washington, DC, raising brand awareness and engaging a new generation of advocates.

A smiling woman with curly hair holds a phone in one hand and a tan handbag in the other while walking in front of a vibrant mural painted with abstract patterns and the words "WE CAN DO THE WORD" prominently displayed.

Results

Our campaign achieved seamless alignment among mission, brand, and event. Every detail reinforced DefeatDD’s goal of raising awareness and engagement among an important audience. Our holistic approach ensured that DefeatDD would reap benefits long after the event came to a close.

A toilet in an indoor setting is vibrantly painted with bold, colorful brushstrokes in shades of blue, purple, orange, and black. The background features blurred chairs and a brick wall. The toilet seat is lying open on a table in front of it.

An open can of BEHR interior matte paint sits on a speckled, paint-splattered surface. The paint inside the can is a vibrant shade of purple. Partially visible tools and materials surround the can, suggesting an ongoing painting project.

A person wearing a blue shirt is painting a toilet with colorful, abstract designs using bright blue, purple, orange, and pink paint. The toilet is placed on a black tarp, surrounded by paint supplies and a green sheet in the background.

A folded navy blue napkin with a Greek key border design. The napkin features the text "#TAKETHEPLUNGE" above "BOTTOMS UP" and a small image of a toilet, all in playful, colorful fonts.

Icons set on an orange circular background: a roll of toilet paper, a toilet with water, a faucet with water, a soap bar, a bottle, a globe, hands washing, a water heater, and a puzzle piece.

Strategy

The event required a thoughtful balance of energy, optimism, and sensitivity to the seriousness of DD. Our strategy was to avoid the ordinary approach (think panel discussion or happy hour) and instead transport guests to new environments across the globe. Our goal was a unique, memorable experience for the young professionals who will become DefeatDD’s future partners.

A man stands at a transparent podium, wearing a suit and tie, speaking to an audience. Behind him is a large, illuminated sign that reads "TAKE THE PLUNGE" in yellow and white text, with a photo of a child in the background.

Tabletop display featuring a cocktail menu and multiple DEFEATDD.ORG coasters fanned out around a small, white, battery-operated candle. The menu lists cocktails such as "Outhouse Refresher" and "The Royal Flush," import and domestic beers, and house red or white wine.

Three people stand side by side, smiling. Text is projected onto them and the background. The person in the middle holds an orange speech bubble above their head, while the others hold plush poop emojis. The projected words include "innovative," "together," and "urgent.

Storefront with large windows displaying colorful posters advocating for defeating taboo around digestive diseases. Posters read, "Together we can defeat it. Together, we can break the poo taboo. #DefeatDD." A person stands nearby on the sidewalk.

Abstract image with a vivid blend of purple and yellow. The purple hues flow and mix with the yellow background, creating a swirling, fluid motion effect. The coloration and texture form an artistic and dynamic visual.

A young boy and a woman, dressed in traditional clothing, use a hand pump to collect water in a rural setting. The image promotes a campaign with text: "Take the Plunge - A pop-up experience to help children thrive. #TakeThePlunge #DefeatDD.

We developed a holistic strategy to maximize reach and leverage the event as a springboard for long-term resonance. Before the event, presented as a “pop-up experience,” we deployed email marketing, earned media, and social media assets previewing videos and interactive content. Onsite, we provided 360-degree videos, an interactive photo wall, selfie-friendly animations, colorful signage, branded drinks, and a one-of-a-kind art installation (made, fittingly, from a toilet). A keynote video educated guests about the global challenge of DD. Captivating, circumambient footage of regions affected by the disease surrounded guests the entire evening.