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01Our Mission

Tackling a National
Crisis One Florida
Father at a Time


The State of Florida, working alongside our network partners Daniel Brian Advertising and All Pro Dad, set out to tackle a national crisis through Governor Ron DeSantis’ Father First initiative. The goals? To inspire more dads to be active in their children’s lives, reduce reliance on foster care, increase the lifelong economic impact of engaged fathers, and spark measurable, generational change.

Our role was to help bring that mission to life — creating a resonant brand movement, a statewide omnichannel strategy, and bold, emotionally-driven creative that made the message feel personal to every Florida father. We weren’t just building awareness. We were moving hearts and shifting behavior.

02Our Approach

Building a Campaign
Fathers Can Believe In

You can’t reach fathers with a polished message that doesn’t reflect their reality. So we built the Father First brand to be real, supportive, and empowering — something dads could actually see themselves in. We developed authentic personas, crafted messaging that spoke father-to-father, and launched a statewide campaign designed to inspire action, not obligation. With over 7 million views in just the first 60 days, the results proved what we believed from the start: when you speak with honesty and respect, fathers show up.

Before We Spoke, We Listened

Before a single idea was sketched or a slogan written, we hit the road to hear directly from dads. In focus groups across Florida cities, we listened as fathers shared their stories, frustrations, and hopes. What we heard was clear: they didn’t want to be shamed — they wanted support. They didn’t need criticism — they needed a coach. These honest conversations shaped everything, from campaign strategy to tone of voice, and inspired relatable personas like “Absent Adam,” a dad who wants to do better but doesn’t know where to start. The insights grounded the campaign in empathy and gave it heart.

Focus group of dads with metrics

The Name That Carries
the Mission

After testing more than 50 name options, we created Father First — a name that did more than identify a campaign. It honored the essential role dads play and put them right where they belong: first. It was a strong, straightforward identity that the State of Florida could stand behind — one that resonated with Florida fathers as a sign of respect, not rhetoric. A name that invited fathers in and gave them something to believe in.

Billboard of dad and daugther
iPhone ad with dad and daughter
iPhone ad with dad and son
iPhone ad with dad and son

A Campaign Built For Reach and Results

Our statewide media plan was designed to maximize visibility, engagement, and measurable outcomes across every major channel. The integrated mix included:

  • Search
  • OTT (Over-the-Top streaming)
  • Out-of-Home (OOH)
  • Digital display
  • Paid social media
  • Native advertising
  • Broadcast television
  • Programmatic and standard outdoor
  • Streaming audio (music and podcasts)
  • NFL, NCAA, movie, and other event sponsorships + supporting radio
  • Gaming platforms
  • Movie theater placements
  • Professional sports team signage and promotions
  • Parish and church publications
  • Prison network media

Digital Strategy and Performance Measurement

We designed a digital journey that nurtured leads and tracked behavior — all backed by a custom KPI dashboard to measure real-time impact.

Map of targeting locations in florida
Channel funnel strategy

Creating Stories That Move
Fathers to Action

We produce two powerful, emotionally resonant video campaigns:

"HEY DAD" CAMPAIGN

When Kids Speak, Dads Listen

This high-energy spot grabs attention by reminding dads who benefits most when they show up: their kids. With joy, excitement, and the unfiltered voice of a child, this piece was designed to stir hearts and drive action.

Young girl with headphones skateboarding

"HOW I DAD" CAMPAIGN

Big Change Begins with Small Moments

A seven-part series featuring real dads sharing practical “Dad Hacks” — simple, relatable ways they make fatherhood work. The goal? To show that being a great dad doesn’t take perfection — just intention. These stories helped fathers realize, “Oh… that’s easier than I thought.”

Dad and son playing basketball
Daughter giving a bite of cereal to her dad
Dad combing daugthers hair
Military dad and daughter talking through video chat
Young dad holding baby girl
Dad ordering drivethrough with sons
Dad benchpressing son

From Storyboard to Screen, Seamlessly

We championed the full production process — from scripting and storyboarding to casting, scouting, and on-location shoots — ensuring every piece felt authentic, emotionally resonant, and aligned with the strategy. To extend the campaign across every channel, our team also produced complementary assets, including radio spots, digital banners, and social content — creating a cohesive, high-quality experience at every touchpoint.

03The Results

 Million

Impressions Statewide

The campaign has already achieved an impressive 793 million impressions across Florida, driving awareness and engagement in communities statewide.

% Increase

In Parenting Confidence

Seventy percent of participating fathers reported a significant boost in their parenting confidence — empowering them to be more engaged, supportive, and consistent in their children’s lives.

Lives Already Impacted

The initiative has already served thousands of fathers and at-risk children through education, support, and mentorship programs — helping reduce involvement in negative activities across the state.