Scholz & Friends Riga / A.W.Olsen & Partners developed 2009 European Parliament Election Campaign

Launch of the largest election mobilization campaign in 27 EU member states

Brussels, 17 March 2009 – Between 4 and 7 June 2009, 375 million EU citizens are prompted to cast their vote for the European Parliament. For the first time, the elections are promoted with a pan-European awareness campaign, drawing the voters’ attention to the elections’ relevance for their own personal life. The Scholz & Friends international network has been entrusted with its strategy and pan-European implementation. Scholz & Friends Riga/ A.W.Olsen & Partners is in charge of the national implementation in Latvia.

Highlight of the campaign is a series of 3D installations. The larger than life sculptures will draw the public´s attention to the 2009 European Elections and illustrate different aspects of the voters’ influence on tangible political decisions that result from their participation in the Elections.

Interactive multimedia boxes invite the EU citizens to cast their personal wishes for Europe as a video message. Together with ten billboard motives, the 3D installations and the multimedia boxes show that Europeans have a choice and the chance to participate in the EU`s decision making – emphasized by the claim "It`s your choice!"

In Latvia the installations as well as the multimedia box will be placed next to landmarks and tourist attractions such as Railway Station square in Riga, Latvian Agriculture University in Jelgava and Rožu square in Liepaja. The most interesting campaign’s element - Choice Box will be placed in Vermanes Park in Riga. Billboard motives include finances, foot, and migration and consumer protection.

Furthermore a central TV commercial and radio adverts will be nationally adapted. The campaign will be completed by online measures, communication support material and numerous national activities such as road-shows, information material etc.

“We are glad and proud to play a part in this campaign and to support the European Parliament and it´s information office in Riga. European citizens have the choice to influence how things are going.

That’s what we want to reveal with this campaign”, says Olga Kazaka of S&F Riga/ A.W.Olsen & Partners.

“The 2009 European Elections campaign is for sure Europe’s most complex communication campaign ever. All 8 central campaign elements will be varied in all 27 EU member states: in languages, topics, times and media”, says Dr. Lutz Meyer, Partner Scholz & Friends Group and conductor of the campaign.

Scholz&Friends Riga/ A.W.Olsen & Partners is part of the Scholz & Friends network which is present with offices in 33 countries and Europe´s leading network for orchestrated and creative communication. As an `Orchestra of Ideas`, the agency group offers the whole spectrum of communication instruments, ranging from classic advertising, public relations, online and dialogue marketing to events and design.

In June 2008, the Directorate General for Communication of the European Parliament awarded Scholz & Friends with the framework contract in the field of communication.