Meet the Freshwater team behind the HIMfertility campaign

Rhod Gilbert’s documentary, Stand Up to Infertility, aired on BBC Wales on 25 January 2021. We were excited to be involved in the HIMfertility campaign from the start, and it was lovely to see all of our hard work pay off – as well as see our colleagues on screen.

Did you spot any of our team? Now that they’re practically celebrities, we thought we’d introduce you to the Freshwater stars behind the campaign and hear their thoughts on the project.

Meet Charlie

Name: Charlie Cottrell

Job title: Account Executive

What was your role on the HIMfertility campaign? My main role on the campaign was overseeing the social media channels.

What was the best thing about working on the campaign? The best thing for me was seeing, first-hand, the positive impact that the campaign had through the social media reactions we received and on the launch day when we chatted to people about male infertility.

What challenges did you come up against? Bringing to light a sensitive, and not widely-discussed subject, was a welcome challenge – it felt long overdue.

What was your favourite moment? Watching Simon amble around a bustling shopping centre – he and Rhod looked like quite the comedy duo.

What was it like working with Rhod? Rhod threw himself into some really awkward social situations for the cause – it clearly meant a lot to him, and his passion was infectious.

Describe the HIMfertility campaign in three words: Important. Successful. Yellow.

Say hi to Si

Name: Simon John

Job title: Brand Manager

What was your role on the HIMfertility campaign? I was tasked with creating a brand that was impactful and communicated the right message to the target audience, but it had to be versatile enough to work across the various channels.

What was the best thing about working on the campaign? The best thing about working on the HIMfertility campaign was knowing that it could make a real difference in quashing the stigma attached to men talking about male infertility. It was great to be part of a campaign that planted the seed amongst younger men (no pun intended), making them aware of their social decisions and how these could severely affect their chances of conceiving in the future.

What challenges did you come up against? The real challenge was to create a brand that would resonate with our target audience and allow them to open up. It needed to be appealing, approachable and empathetic.

What was your favourite moment? Walking around St David’s Shopping Centre with Rhod, who felt like a ‘complete idiot’ (his words, not mine), with the iWalker on his back as we tried to get men to talk to him about infertility. It was hilarious.

What was it like working with Rhod? Aside from his classic comedy moments, he was great to work with as he was so passionate about the campaign and had experience of it first-hand.

Describe the HIMfertility campaign in three words: Inspiring. Exciting. Hilarious.

Meet Carolyn

Name: Carolyn Pugsley

Job title: Director

What was your role on the HIMfertility campaign? I worked closely with the production company and my Freshwater colleagues behind the scenes, making sure that both the campaign and the filming for the documentary went without a hitch. On account of this, I earned the affectionate nickname of Momager.

What was the best thing about working on the campaign? It was a real privilege to be given the opportunity to work on such an important and sensitive campaign that affects so many men – and couples – up and down the country. And, I guess, getting to rub shoulders with Rhod Gilbert wasn’t bad either!

What challenges did you come up against? Reining in some of Rhod’s more ‘creative’ (read indecent) suggestions was certainly a challenge, but one that had us laughing!

What was your favourite moment? Seeing all the fruits of our labour come together on the day of the launch with everything falling into place was both a highlight – and a relief.

What was it like working with Rhod? Rhod was amazing to work with. He was so open to ideas and willing to put himself on the line for a cause he feels very passionately about.

Describe the HIMfertility campaign in three words: Essential. Informative. Bonkers.

Say hello to Nicola

Name: Nicola Roberts

Job title: Director

What was your role on the HIMfertility campaign? Campaign director (I made that up but let’s go with it – Carolyn was our official Momager).

What was the best thing about working on the campaign? The best thing was raising awareness of a little-known subject that affects so many men, signposting them to the help available and encouraging people to talk about male infertility.

What challenges did you come up against? Being filmed saying rude words and knowing that my mother will be watching!

What was your favourite moment? Meeting all the couples that have gone through the male infertility struggle, hearing their stories and seeing how their experiences can help others in a similar position.

What was it like working with Rhod? Lots of fun. He’s a very down-to-earth person and was open to the ideas we suggested.

Describe the HIMfertility campaign in three words: Humbling. Exciting. Fulfilling.

 

You can learn more about the HIMfertility campaign here.

If you missed Rhod Gilbert’s documentary, Stand Up to Infertility, you can catch it on iPlayer or watch it on BBC Two on Sunday 31 January 2021 at 10pm.

Eager to chat to us about your next campaign? Get in touch.