Autism Speaks - Lifetime of Difference - (2014) :60 (USA)

To mark World Autism Awareness month, BBDO NY and Autism Speaks have partnered to create a one-of-a-kind, one time, :60 commercial message that helps raise awareness of autism and to encourage parents to look for the early signs of autism because early intervention can make a "Lifetime of Difference".

The long ad is actually made up of four :15 second ads, that all can stand alone, but together tell the main story. What, throughout these ads appears to be a perfectly healthy child is a child who has an early diagnosis, and so had help & guidance in coping successfully with the challenges of autism. He's a silent toddler, a lively kid in need of band-aids, a hungry tween and finally a high school graduate and young man who gets an AT&T tablet as graduation gift. It's the same parents that you see in each ad, and that's when it dawns on you, it's the same silent toddler that you're watching growing up into a young man.

"You just saw how early diagnosis can make a lifetime of difference. Watch again and learn the signs at www.autismspeaks.org/signs." The best part? The dad and young man in the end are actually related. Reece Bowen who has autism plays the young man, and his father plays the dad.

The film aired live this morning during CNN's New Day, and aired only once so far in the full format.

Client Autism Speaks
Agency BBDO New York

Director Christian Loubek
Chief Creative Officer David Lubars
Chief Creative Officer Greg Hahn
Producer Malia Rose
Producer Adrea Lavezzoli
Assoc Creative Director Peter Alsante
Assoc Creative Director Matthew Zaifert
Production company Anonymous Content
Executive Producer SueEllen Clair
Executive Producer Deborah Sullivan
DoP Larkin Seiple
Editing Company NO6 NY
Editor Jason McDonald
Music Beacon Street
Director of Integrated Production (BBDO): Dave Rolfe
Senior Integrated Content Producer (BBDO): Darbi Fretwell
Director of Digital Operations (BBDO): Clemens Brandt
Senior Interactive Producer (BBDO): Tara Toliver