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Christian graffiti

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Christian graffiti 5

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 3 Jun 2009

Walking around in the unsuspecting evening sun yesterday, I spotted a sticker slapped on a bus stand. Nothing out of the ordinary. These stickers are all over the place - usually plastered with some home-printed stencil art, radio station promos, new albums. But this one stood out.

This little red tag-shaped logo was for Christian Aid

Some rogue youth had defaced a bus stand with a Christian Aid promotion. In my imaginings, some swaggering young soul had sidled past the stand, pulled out a sticker and planted on the side, not breaking their pace.

I can't imagine that before their rebrand many young people would have dared admit they knew of Christian Aid, let alone become sticker brandishers.

More than it's snazzy Ctrl+Alt+Shift website, this act of mild public order offence confirms that Christian Aid is indeed on its way to becoming a brand that young people identify with.  

Because nothing says 'brand loyalty' like vandalism. 

Aimee
9 Jun 2009

I am the fundraiser for a medium sized Youth Charity. We don't have a problem with young people being vandals, they are all far too busy participating in positive activities like Graffiti projects.

Richard Lewis
8 Jun 2009

I can't get my head around this article. Something about it makes me deeply uncomfortable. I think it might be that it reflects the current industry obsession with 'branding' and 'products' that has so clouded its vision that we now see value in things as stupid as this.

 

Christina
8 Jun 2009

Branding: the sign of the cross is a symbol of strongly-held beliefs and highest values held true for millennia. A very powerful brand. Graffiti expressing the heart of the people: early christians defaced many places with the sign of the fish. A new and radical movement, a fresh challenge to the status quo, a daring and bold philosphy that would eventually grasp the heart of the emperor Constantine and shape the earthly kingdom that we Europeans live in today. Do not underestimate the ability of graffiti to change our world.

A Lan Hewerdine
4 Jun 2009

So what makes you think it was necessarily a young person? Vandalism isn't the sole province of the young. There's a serious danger of stereotyping here. You may be right, but I know a lot of people who were involved with supporting Christian Aid in their youth, long before their rebrand.

 

Rarry Revan
4 Jun 2009

Young or old, Christian, Muslim, Hindu or Jew vandalism is a crime. If you break the law you should be locked up!

Oh and youth brands are a waste of time and money.A charity can never be a trendy as young people aspire to be. They will only end up looking like the 50 year old man in the corner wearing a g star t-shirt with a trendy haircut! Saaad! Rarry

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Celina Ribeiro

Celina Ribeiro is the editor of Fundraising magazine and daily contributor to CivilSociety.co.uk.

Follow Celina @Celina_Ribeiro_

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