The Three Amigos Campaign
The Three Amigos is a series of 20 public service announcements using three animated condoms to promote the use of safe sex as protection from contacting the HIV/AIDS virus. First shown at , the series was officially launched at the in six languages. By 2012 it had been broadcast or used by NGOs, educational institutions, hospitals and others in 150 countries in 45 languages.
The series was co-created by Chocolate Moose Media's Firdaus Kharas and South African writer . Episodes approach the subject with humor and are shown in 15-, 20-, 30- and 60-second animated spots. The hand-drawn animation series contains 14,000 drawings and was produced completely by volunteers in four countries. The Three Amigos campaign won a Peabody Award in 2006 as well as 29 other international awards, and has been the subject of numerous articles and academic writing. Distribution to all users throughout the world is free.
Worldwide dissemination has coincided with a significant decrease in new AIDS cases, according to . Part of the result has come through staunch public support by people like Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
