WE ARE OCEAN – Talking Monkey

christian sternal

creative director | copywriter

It’s about people helping people with cancer turn up the positivity in their lives though ocean based experiences and activities. WAO shows survivors how to get back to living, develop healthy habits, lean on and learn from others who understand what they’re going through. All while surfing, paddle boarding, sailing or diving and camping. And amazingly, it doesn’t cost participants a cent.

The Catch 22

WAO is a non-profit that receives all of its financial support from corporations and individuals who expect their funding to be used to help people and keep the program going—not pay for advertising and branding. However, it’s tough to stay relevant, financed and keep people engaged without a brand identity. So we stepped up, honed the brand voice, reimagined the brand ID using handcrafted lettering and custom illustrations. Then retooled the website and created their key print collateral—on a shoestring budget.

Whiskey Alpha Oscar [Expand]

The illustrations under the words “We Are Ocean” below are stylized versions of the international maritime signal alphabet flags that represent the letters W, A and O.

The Survivor Guide

They needed a practical piece that the could put in the hands of cancer patients and survivors to let them know about WAO and the programs they offered. This piece could be distributed through local hospitals, doctors offices and handed out by councilors and other survivor participants.

agency TEAM