Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit

Do you ever wish that you could stomp out HIV with the heel of your boot? If you have, you’re not alone. In September 2006, nearly a hundred volunteers came out to the University of Washington to participate in a massive photo shoot that was used for the HIV Vaccine Trials Unit’s 2007 ad campaign. HVTU study volunteers and staff joined other community volunteers to don colorful outfits and lie in carefully arranged shapes that, when photographed from a crane, depicted a boot, a hammer, and a spray can all wiping out the HIV virus.

The advertising agency FCB Seattle not only came up with this great idea, but also provided their services free of charge to the HVTU. FCB has a history of helping the HVTU, and is responsible for its previous ad campaign that depicts such scenes as a fireman turning his hose on HIV and a soccer player giving the virus a swift kick. The ads have been so popular that they were adopted by other sites included in the worldwide HIV Vaccine Trials Network.

The University of Washington also helped out by providing the space for the photo shoot as well as the use of one of their cranes from which the photos were taken. Veteran photographer Olugbenro Ogunsemore donated his time and kept volunteers smiling, even as they baked under the midday sun.

The ads are meant to show people of different ages and races coming together to fight HIV, reinforcing the idea that we are more powerful when we work together. The ads give the HVTU a fresh presence in the community, and serve as one of the first contact points for people who are interested in finding out more about the HIV vaccine and learning how they can get involved in the studies.

The HVTU is grateful to everyone at FCB, Ogunsemore, and the many volunteers who came out for the photo shoot. Your support means so much to us and the millions of people around the world.