Subscribe & Follow
Jobs
- Senior Xbox Data Analyst Johannesburg
- Ad Agency Client Service Administrator Cape Town
- Copywriter Cape Town
- Traffic Manager Cape Town
- Junior Ad Traffic Assistant Cape Town
- Copywriter Johannesburg
- Content Creator Intern Johannesburg
- Graphic Artist Johannesburg
- Remote Agency Administrator Durban
- Senior Account Manager Durban
South African ad agency M&C Saatchi Abel recognised in Fast Company's 2020 World Changing Ideas Global Awards
![South African ad agency M&C Saatchi Abel recognised in Fast Company's 2020 World Changing Ideas Global Awards](https://biz-file.com/c/2005/554272.jpg)
Conceptualised five years ago as the world’s first rent free, premises free, free pop-up store for the homeless, the Street Store has popped-up in cities all over the world, closing in on the 1000th store, and clothing an estimated 500,000 people.
At a time when the world is facing one of the biggest health pandemics of this generation, innovation and creativity are what’s needed in finding solutions to the issues facing humanity.
Cape Town, South Africa - A simple idea born on the streets of Cape Town has catapulted a South African ad agency into the finals of a global competition. M&C Saatchi Abel’s The Street Store, a Force-for-Good Initiative was named a finalist in the Best World Changing Idea EMEA Region and Creativity categories in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas 2020 global awards as well as recognised in four other categories.
Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas awards honoured the businesses, policies, projects, and concepts from different industries around the world that are making a positive change on a broad range of issues from climate crisis, social injustice, or economic inequality.
The Street Store bridges the gap between the haves and have-nots, providing the homeless with the dignity of choosing their own clothes instead of being on the receiving end of often-unwanted hand-me-downs.
Mike Abel, Founding Partner and CEO of M&C Saatchi Abel says that South Africa has many people who want to help but often don’t know where or how. “Because of this, we conceptualised The Street Store concept in 2014. The world’s first rent-free, premises-free, pop-up clothing store for homeless people.”
The Street Store concept has seen global acclaim as anyone is able to download everything they need to host their own – a truly open source initiative. Donations are made by the public and then placed on clothing rails for homeless people to choose the clothes they actually like and want. So far, almost 1000 Street Stores have taken place globally.
Last year, as a way to ensure ongoing clothing donations throughout the year, M&C Saatchi Abel partnered with hotel group Home Suite Hotels, where a hanger in each room of the hotel is specially dedicated to The Street Store. Travelers are encouraged to bring with them and leave behind a piece of clothing to donate, which would then be used for future Street Stores.
In addition to being named finalist in two categories, The Street Store also received an honourable mention in the Advertising, Spaces, Places, and Cities, Corporate Social Responsibility, and General Excellence categories.
Now in its fourth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 26 winners, more than 200 finalists, and more than 500 honorable mentions. A panel of eminent judges selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 3,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, and more.
For more information on Street Store, or to create your own, visit www.thestreetstore.org or on any of the major social media platforms. M&C Saatchi Abel are currently calling for people to collect their old clothes whilst they are in lockdown to donate to the SA Lockdown Street Store which will take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town once it is safe to do so.
- M&C Saatchi Group South Africa boosts direct marketing, loyalty and CRM offerings through Black&White30 Apr 11:34
- MTN Group appoints M&C Saatchi Abel and Group of Companies as its global marketing partner24 Apr 12:32
- Woolworths selects Connect as its media agency of choice16 Apr 15:13
- We Love Pure joins Sermo network to increase European reach08 Jun 10:15
- Razor PR wins 'Best Reputation work in EMEA' for third year running at EMEA Sabre Awards27 Mar 10:17
![](/res/img/s.gif)