Mega City Media Campaign in Iraq (Erbil, 2013)
In February 2013, a 30-day Mega City Media Campaign launched in Erbil, Northern Iraq—a campaign described as “most unlikely” for the region. For 30 days, local churches and campaign teams shared a message shaped for a land marked by pain and division: “Power to Forgive—possible only through Jesus,” emphasizing reconciliation and hope.
The campaign used outdoor and transit advertising alongside TV and radio, supported by digital distribution through the internet, YouTube, and social media. People were guided to the campaign website and connected with call centre follow-up as the message spread beyond the city.
As visibility grew, response quickly expanded beyond the city.
Your Gifts at Work!
60M
Watched the Closing Concerts Live
100
Billboard Ads
Displayed
10,000+
Website Visits
via Facebook
29M
Social Impressions
/ Clicks
Surprising Response and a Healing Message Across Iraq
As the campaign progressed, responses came from across Iraq—including Baghdad—through the website, email, and the call centre. More than 10,000 people visited the campaign website via Facebook, and responses were reported from 1,200+ cities as interest spread beyond Erbil.
The closing concerts were broadcast through SAT-7, and reports noted 60 million watching live. Visibility increased across the city through outdoor placements—including 100 billboard ads—alongside newspaper, radio, television, and online distribution. In the years that followed, leaders pointed to Suleymaniyah and Mosul as places where they hoped to see similar citywide campaigns. GCMM described the message as a “healing ointment” in a land marked by hostility and hurt—and follow-up continued as local believers connected with seekers far beyond Erbil itself.
Open Doors We Never Expected
As the campaign unfolded in Erbil, the team saw doors opening in ways they had never planned for. What began as citywide visibility quickly turned into steady response through the website, email, and the call centre. The local leaders described it as a turning point—one of those moments where you realize something bigger is happening than you could have organized on your own.
Maher
Campaign leader, Erbil