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Soles4Souls
Global Development & Hunger

How We Helped Soles4Souls Achieve a 500% Increase in Social Engagement and Donations Through Global Content Creation and Viral Campaigns

500%
Increase in Engagement Rate
150,000+
Organic Reach
1000+
Shoe Donations
https://dcnhknoai5j4e.cloudfront.net/clients/soles4souls-1.mp4
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6686ab4d7271acf416579fdc/6aa076fc4838600d970f05c9_soles4souls-global-campaign-poster.jpg
The organization

Established in 2006, Soles4Souls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to turning unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunities by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use—providing relief, creating jobs, and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty

The goal

Soles4Souls wanted to increase awareness of their mission and inspire tangible action from a global audience. They aimed to significantly boost social media engagement, drive donations, and connect with new supporters by showcasing the real-world impact of their programs. Additionally, they sought to encourage in-person contributions through campaigns that bridged digital storytelling with community engagement.

What we made

We partnered with Soles4Souls to launch a global content campaign. Using our network of 20,000 content creators, we captured authentic stories from remote and urban locations, bringing their mission to life through compelling social media content. A highlight of the campaign was a New York City shoe drive, where we inspired a strong in-person turnout, blending digital and real-world engagement seamlessly.

What happened

The campaign delivered extraordinary results, driving a 500% increase in social media engagement. Soles4Souls gained new followers, donors, and community members who connected deeply with their mission. The combination of impactful storytelling and targeted social campaigns significantly boosted awareness and donations.

The full story

When Soles4Souls partnered with Happy Productions, their goal was clear: they needed more than visibility—they wanted to inspire tangible action. By leveraging our expansive network of 20,000 expert content creators, we launched a global campaign designed to highlight the transformative power of their mission. From bustling urban centers to remote locations worldwide, our creators captured compelling footage of Soles4Souls’ efforts, crafting viral social media content that resonated deeply with audiences.

To amplify the campaign further, we utilized our popular "Are You Happy?" Instagram account, boasting over 520,000 engaged followers. Through interactive stories and engaging posts, we encouraged direct donations and community involvement. One standout moment from the campaign was a remarkable shoe drive in New York City. Inspired by the impactful social content we produced, people showed up in droves to donate shoes in person, underscoring the power of authentic storytelling to drive real-world action.

The results exceeded all expectations. Soles4Souls saw a 500% increase in social media engagement, with a surge of new followers, donors, and community members rallying behind their cause. This boost in awareness translated directly into increased donations, significantly advancing their mission.

By combining the reach of global content creation with strategic, story-driven campaigns, Happy Productions helped Soles4Souls not only expand their audience but also deepen their impact. This partnership demonstrated the unmatched power of nonprofit marketing to inspire action and foster lasting change.

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In their words

Straight from the client.

The people who commissioned this campaign, on camera and unscripted.

In their words
Where it ran

Where it ran

Screens from the feeds this work was made for.

Where it ran
Photo preview

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A two-person Happy Productions crew filming in a partner NGO field office
A Happy Productions crew rigging overhead diffusion on a remote ranch hilltop
A Happy Productions sound stage built out with lighting grid, monitors and two cameras
Our own crew and our own kit — on four continents, in field offices, sound stages and living rooms.
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