Thinking Green: Poetic Cleanup

The City of Philadelphia Recycling Office’s largest-ever anti-litter campaign consists solely of the spoken word compositions and performances of five Philly street poets, each accompanied by either congas, acoustic bass, or saxophone. The campaign is the work of advertising agency LevLane, and is part of a city-wide neighborhood improvement initiative by Mayor Michael Nutter. The poetry performances were chosen for power, not prettiness. The campaign’s ad media executions of television ads and transit posters. It also includes street poetry events, Facebook and Twitter presences, signage-designated “Litter Free School Zones,” and block-by-block community mobilization drives. Credits include CCO Bruce Lev, CD Deb Racano, Executrive AD Lori Miller, Copywriter Jerry Selber, Print Production Anna Taylor.