If you're like me, you type your symptoms into Google every time you get the sniffles or feel the slightest bit under the weather. Well, that plan is ill-advised. It can yield reams of misinformation and all manner of (potentially harmful) misdiagnoses.
The Flemish government in Belgium commissioned DDB Brussels to help remedy the situation, and the agency came up with an intriguing cure.
They bought Google AdWords for the top 100 symptoms. Now, when people search Google about their ailments, the top result reads, "Don't Google it, check a reliable source," and clicks through to the Gezondheid en Wetenschap (Health and Science) website.
Check out DDB's amusing minute-long promotional clip below, featuring hair loss, a bloody nose, gangrenous finger and festering boils. I feel better already!
CREDITS
Client: Gezondheid en Wetenschap
Campaign: "Don't Google It"
Clients: Marleen Finoulst, Elizabeth Bosselaers, Patrick Vankrunkelsven
Agency: DDB Brussels
Creative Director: Peter Ampe
Creative Team: Tim Arts, Stefan van den Boogaard
Head of Digital: Geert Desager
Strategic Planner: Maarten Van Daele
Senior Account Manager: Silvie Erzeel
Television Producer: Brigitte Verduyckt
Digital Producers: Stefanie Warreyn, Maarten Breda
Web Developer: Christophe Gesquière
Design: Andreea Buescu, Cedric Lopez
Content Planner: Michael D'hooge
Production Company: Lovo
Director: Norman Bates
Producers: Bert Brulez, François Chandelle
