Standard Chartered launches an all new animated HIV and AIDS education website

The global social media campaign centres on an interactive, informative website with entertaining animated web-Learning modules.

The campaign concept is based on the Bank's preventative intervention strategy. Currently there is no cure or vaccine for HIV, the only way to tackle the virus is to prevent new HIV infections.

"With over 30m people living with HIV/AIDs in the world, this pandemic has a significant impact on the economic and social fabric of the communities where we do business. The Bank's Living with HIV programme aims to reduce the spread of this virus through education. Awareness through education is key in helping eradicate the spread of the virus and to curtail the rising numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS."

said Shayne Nelson, Standard Chartered's Regional Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and North Africa.

Regional Head of Corporate Affairs, Lilian Yong-Babani, commented on the programme, "The key challenge was to come up with a creative idea that could actively engage broad audiences and teach them about HIV/AIDS without preaching. To do this, we developed the 'Anti-HIVirus software' idea, delivered through a series of six very entertaining, animated films that stealthily educate at the same time. The star of our films is Mr. HIV and we follow the ambitious character on his quest to become AIDS. Along the way, people learn what HIV and AIDS are, how it is spread, prevention, the importance of testing, and how to live with the virus. It's true edu-tainment,"

The special 'Anti-HIVirus software', offered free of charge on www.vir.us, arms visitors with the knowledge to protect themselves against HIV and AIDS and helps to dispel the myths that drive stigma. The campaign was developed by TBWA\ TEQUILA\ Hong Kong in association with Standard Chartered.

The story of Mr. HIV and his plan to attack and destroy the human race is told through six fast-moving animated video modules. The website also incorporates hard facts about HIV and AIDS; blogs from the Bank's HIV Champions in various countries; a real time counter; an interactive map tracking the number of people protected through the website; and features partner organisations working with Standard Chartered on HIV education.