After the earthquake New Zealanders everywhere quickly reached into their pockets, but many wished they could do something more practical to help. Well, small Tauranga-based advertising agency Flame had a stroke of inspiration after realising it had valuable assets lying around in the form of old billboards skins that would otherwise go unused, so a few quick calls to clients and billboard operators like iSite and Oggi and Flame’s Zak Lassey says it managed to round up a few hundred skins that were easily utilised as tarps for roofing, long drop covers, tents, or wherever else they were needed in Christchurch. And, as they’re still needed, he thinks other, larger agencies, clients and media owners should follow its lead.
Lassey estimates that in one day it sent down 3,600m² of usable canvas, enough to cover AMI Stadium five and a half times. He says it’s had fantastic support from local businesses, notably Trident Equipment, which is helping them with rope and eyelets, and Mainfreight, which sent everything down to Christchurch at no charge.
The old skins are being distributed through Civil Defence and, given there are around 6,000 homes with leaky roofs, they’re still in hot demand
“We’re one very small agency. If we achieved this, I just feel bigger agencies could achieve something more,” Lassey says.
He’s even created a ‘how-to’ for anyone who wants to help. Download it here Chch Skins_Tarps
