February 12, 2009: Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the iconic imagery for Barack Obama in the recent US Presidential Election, has agreed to create artwork for WWF’s 2009 Earth Hour.

Advertising agency Leo Burnett and WWF have developed a campaign, called ‘Vote Earth’, to run across all markets to raise awareness of Earth Hour, a global initiative inviting people worldwide to switch off their lights on 28 March at 8.30pm to show their support for action on climate change. To help give this idea global impact, Leo Burnett commissioned Shepard Fairey to be part of the team in developing the iconic artwork.

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Shepard Fairey said he is keen to be part of the campaign and to help tackle the important global issue of climate change.

“Of all the crises we’re facing right now, I think the environmental one is the biggest – bigger than the economy, bigger than terrorism. It’s serious, but I’m hopeful about it, because I feel like every single person can make a difference and be part of the greater solution.

“If I can use my art in any way to have a positive impact, I’m glad to do it,” he said.

CEO of Leo Burnett’s Sydney Todd Sampson said ‘Vote Earth’ is a campaign designed to unite the world as one people in the world's first global election - where your light switch is your vote.

“Switching off your lights for Earth Hour is a vote for earth, while conversely, leaving them on is a vote for global warming,” said Sampson.

Earth Hour Executive Director, Andy Ridley, said the messages inherent in Shepard’s work fit very well with the Earth Hour brand. “Earth Hour has proved it can bring together and give voice to millions of people around the world on climate change.

“By its very nature, Earth Hour is the essence of grassroots action for positive change, which is a theme that Shepard Fairey was able to evoke so successfully through his ‘Change, Progress, Hope’ artwork for the recent Obama campaign,” Mr Ridley said.