TouquetherThe solidarity festival dedicated to autism
Context
Autism is a disability that affects more than 700,000 people in France (around one in 100 births), mobilising two million carers and more than one million professionals.
However, autism remains little-known to the general public, with support and assistance solutions that are often underestimated.
Founded in 2019 by Florent Chapel and Samuel Le Bihan, both parents of autistic children, the association “Autism Info Service” became the first free national listening and information system to help and guide people with autism, their entourage and the professionals working alongside them.
At the end of 2020, the association called upon Magic Garden to raise awareness in the general public with a memorable fund-raising event around the theme of solidarity.
Objectives
● To raise
awareness in the general public, artists, media and institutions about autism,
neurodevelopment disorders and trisomy 21.
● To generate donations for Autism Info Service and partner associations.
● To put together an inclusive event
● To offer a permanent event
The concept
Adopt a positive and optimistic approach and offer a cultural, solidarity-based and inclusive festival, the benefits of which are paid for the cause of autism.
“Feel the beat and help out alongside TOUQUETHER, the first festival in the world dedicated to autism”.
Touquether’s ambition is to bring together artists, prominent figures, media and the public for the first time around autism. It is an aspiration to mobilise all energies, to raise awareness in the general public and to raise funds to continue to support people with autism and their families.
Due to the health restrictions in effect, we offered a “exclusive preview” format over two days at the Palais des Congrès in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage.
Execution
As executive producer, Magic Garden was involved in every aspect of the
festival’s creation.
● Designed the identity of the festival with its naming and the creation of the
visual identity in collaboration with the artist Marylou Faure
● Implemented and monitored the overall communication campaign, media
partnerships (billboards, radio spots and 12-second TV spots broadcast on
France TV for 3 weeks), press relations and influence
● Designed artistic programming and managed artists
● Ran partner search
● Produced event
The line-up for the 2021 Sneak Peek, two thrilling days, included:
● A press conference with the association’s founders, the Mayor of the city of
Le Touquet and the festival’s partners.
● An evening of concerts featuring Keziah Jones, Charlie Winston, Malik Djoudi,
Keren Ann, VIDEOCLUB and the autistic percussionist band Percujam. A
transgenerational and eclectic line-up, like the association.
● A screening of the television film “T’en fais pas, je suis là” with Samuel Le Bihan, directed by Pierre Isoard.
● An extensive discussion to better understand autism on a daily basis with Samuel le Bihan, Florent Chapel, Elizabeth Tchoungui, Cathy Van de Eede and Lali Dugelay.
The Touquether exclusive première thanks to the support of the city of Touquet-Paris-Plage, the Hauts-de-France region, the Orange Foundation and Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe, F.A.M.M., the Edouard Denis group, France Télévisions, La Voix du Nord, etc.
Results
Despite the health context, this exclusive preview was a great success with associations, partners, artists and festival-goers.
● over 1,000 festival-goers came to attend the Touquether exclusive premiere
● 16 personalities have officially shown their support for Touquether, including Grand Corps Malade, Joey Starr, Imany, Camille Lellouche, François-Xavier Demaison, Nagui, Kimberose, Tété, Amany, Cauet and Vianney.
● 18 institutional and private partners on-board in 2021 have confirmed their commitment in 2022
● Nearly €825,000 in media coverage combined with 96 appearances.
● A profit-making festival from year 0
● This edition was just a taste of the 2022 edition with the aim of bringing together over 2 days of festival plus 10,000 people.
