This compelling advertisement has a shocking twist you won’t see coming. “Evan,” a two-and-a-half-minute video crafted by the advertising agency BBDO New York, is taking the internet by storm, and it’s packed with meaningful content that warrants a second viewing. Once you reach the end, you’ll wonder how you missed the signs leading up to it.
The ad promotes Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit established following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Their mission is to help parents, educators, and the community recognize warning signs of potential violence, even when we are preoccupied with other distractions.
Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, shared with Adweek, “When you don’t know what to look for, or can’t recognize what you are seeing, it can be easy to miss warning signs or dismiss them as unimportant. That can lead to tragic consequences.” Hockley lost her son, Dylan, in the Sandy Hook tragedy. She emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals to be proactive in protecting their communities from gun violence, as these tragedies are preventable when we know what to watch for.
At first glance, the ad appears to revolve around a budding romance between two high school students who exchange anonymous notes on a shared desk at the library. As their messages unfold, the main character, a teenage boy, becomes fixated on finding the mystery girl he’s been flirting with during study breaks. Every girl he passes could be the one, and he can’t resist sneaking glances in hopes she’ll recognize him.
Just when it seems their story is ending as the library closes for the summer, they fortuitously find one another while signing yearbooks. This is the beginning of what seems like a beautiful relationship. But then, a gunman enters the auditorium.
The scene shifts to chaos as students flee in panic, leaving viewers completely blindsided. We were so engrossed in the love story that we overlooked a series of obvious red flags that are deeply unsettling when viewed in hindsight.
In the background of nearly every scene, another boy lurks, unnoticed by both the protagonist and the audience. He is disgruntled, bullied, and openly fascinated with guns. He reads gun magazines, flips off fellow students for no apparent reason, and posts menacing images on social media. He goes unnoticed, even though he’s right there the whole time. It’s a haunting reminder of how easy it is to overlook signs of trouble until it’s too late.
Take, for instance, a recent incident in Utah where two parents noticed their 15-year-old son acting strangely just before school. Realizing he had taken a shotgun and a handgun with him, they rushed to the school and arrived just in time to intervene as he fired a shot into the ceiling and aimed the gun at himself. Thanks to their quick actions, they managed to pull him to safety before anyone got hurt.
While we’ve all heard countless stories of school shootings, it’s rare to hear about parents acting swiftly to prevent such tragedies. This isn’t to say that the Utah parents were perfect or that other parents are to blame when kids slip through the cracks. Many complex factors can lead to tragic outcomes. But the ad serves as a powerful reminder that we can’t afford to ignore the signs anymore. They are often glaringly obvious if we only pay attention.
If you want to learn more about signs to look for, check out this insightful piece on privacy policy that discusses awareness and vigilance. Another fantastic resource is Make a Mom, which offers essential tools for home insemination. For a deeper dive into pregnancy resources, visit Johns Hopkins Medicine.
In summary, this ad is a poignant reminder for parents to stay vigilant and aware of the signs that could indicate a child is in distress or danger. By fostering an environment of openness and attentiveness, we can work together to prevent tragedies before they happen.