THIS week sees the launch of Prostate Scotland’s new multi-functional website, backed by Scotland’s top sports personalities, Chris Paterson, of the Scotland Rugby squad, and Craig Levein of Dundee United Football Club.
The launch will be marked by the release of a viral featuring Levein, and a further film hosted on the new website featuring Levein, Paterson and ex-Scotsport presenter, Grant Stott.
The website and the films, created by The Union, are a cheeky, sports-themed look at the risk factors, symptoms and investigations associated with prostate disease, in an attempt to break down the barriers on what is an important but largely unspoken subject.
Says a spokesperson: “Prostate disease is one of the most common diseases to affect men in Scotland, affecting nearly one in two (43 per cent) during their lifetime. Furthermore, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer, affecting one in 13 and with NHS projections showing that diagnosis is set to rise by 35 per cent in the next seven -11 years.
“An opinion poll commissioned by the charity and undertaken by TNS System Three in January found alarmingly low levels of awareness, with 22 per cent thinking that prostate disease was much rarer affecting one in ten and 17 per cent not knowing that only men have a prostate, despite 37 per cent of those surveyed having been directly affected or knowing someone who had.
“The new website www.prostatescotland.org.uk has been designed and built by Union Digital to provide a comprehensive, interactive and accessible resource for men and their families/partners in Scotland. It includes video interviews of patients in Scotland providing their experiences of prostate disease and of clinicians providing information on the symptoms and treatments, as well as a self examination, up-to-date listings of treatment centres and support groups throughout Scotland, and facility to submit a question to a panel of experts.”
Robert Wilson, chair of Prostate Scotland, said: “The development of the website is aimed at being a milestone not just for Prostate Scotland, but for men and their families and partners across Scotland, who may develop or already suffer from prostate disease and want a clear and accessible place for information.
“The Union have designed the site so that people can hear from the key experts – the clinicians who treat and cure prostate disease and patients whose experiences and knowledge of living with it can be so important but are so often overlooked.”
The new website and films will be unveiled at a Parliamentary reception on February 3rd.
The launch will be supported by an advertising campaign by Union Advertising and Spirit Media, initially focused in bars and sports stadiums throughout Scotland.
Tony Rodgers, group account director at Union Advertising, commented: “This is an exciting campaign for us, as it’s an opportunity to raise awareness on a disease that affects so many men in Scotland but that is so often neglected.
“Prostate disease is common but treatable if caught early, so it’s important we effectively communicate what the symptoms are and engage with those men who may be experiencing them. Our objective is to encourage men and their partners or families to find out more information via the website.
“This launch campaign marks the beginning of our work to do just.”
Prostate Scotland is a Scottish charity set up in 2006 to develop awareness of prostate disease, support men and their families/partners with the disease through providing advice and information, and advance treatment and research into prostate disease.
The website will provide an important fundraising platform for the charity to continue it work.
The Union were appointed by Prostate Scotland in 2006 as their digital, design and advertising agency, and have created the brand identity and established the brand across print materials prior to the website launch.
To see the web film, go to:http://www.prostatescotland.co.uk/v2/index.php?id=122
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