'Quit Smoking With Barça' Lights up at Awards While Europe Stubs Out

BRUSSELS, June 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

EC Campaign scoops multiple awards as more than 70,000 men and women across Europe seek to 'Quit Smoking With Barça'

The European Commission's 'Quit Smoking With Barça' programme (http://www.quitsmokingwithbarca.eu) has achieved a series of accolades, receiving an impressive four industry awards this week. The programme, now supporting more than 70,000 men and women to kick the habit, was awarded three prizes at last night's CCB (Creative Club of Belgium) awards recognising originality and creativity in advertising;

• 1 Silver Direct
• 1 Gold Integrated
• 1 Gold Cyber

This success follows Wednesday's noteworthy win at the EACA care awards in the 'Government Bodies and Related Organisations' category. The EACA Care Awards are established to highlight the advertising industry's contribution to society by selecting and celebrating the most powerful and relevant social marketing campaigns. Standing out from the competition in this category, 'Quit Smoking With Barça' was recognised for its specific contribution to public lung health by actively supporting smoking cessation across Europe.

Devised by Saatchi & Saatchi Brussels and launched in December last year, 'Quit Smoking With Barça' is an innovation of the EC's "Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable" campaign (http://www.exsmokers.eu), and the product of a unique partnership with world leading football team, FC Barcelona (FCB). At the heart of the campaign is the FCB iCoach: a free digital health coach that provides tailored guidance and support to registered users direct from the mouths of Barça's players, coaches and staff.  

Dr. Jordi Monés, the director responsible for FCB's medical area speaking of the win, said, "At Barça we firmly believe in our motto 'more than a club' and we promote values of respect, health and social commitment. The 'Quit Smoking With Barça' programme allows us to live that motto. We are delighted to continue to collaborate with the European Commission on such an important public health issue and these latest awards clearly demonstrate that our combined efforts are not going unnoticed."

"These accolades serve to reinforce the value of, and need for truly holistic campaigns," said Deputy Executive Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi EMEA, Jan Teulingkx, speaking at the CCB awards in Knokke, Belgium last night. " 'Quit Smoking With Barça' is a living, breathing example of how clever, creative strategy combined with meaningful, targeted communications can effect positive changes in public consciousness and in this case, public health. This approach underpins all that we stand for at Saatchi & Saatchi Brussels and we are proud to be a part of this important European Commission initiative."

Further Information:

The 'Quit Smoking with Barça' campaign

http://www.quitsmokingwithbarca.eu

The "Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable" campaign

http://www.exsmokers.eu

The official homepage of FC Barcelona

http://www.fcbarcelona.com

Media Enquiries:
Orla Barnewell; orla.barnewell@toniclc.com; +353(86)857-6076
Konstantina Gogi; konstantina.gogi@toniclc.com; +44(0)79-7253-2559