Save Miguel
Save Miguel is an international campaign starring Hollywood actor Rob Schneider and developed by Corticeira Amorim to defend natural cork and to appeal to the protection and preservation of cork oak forests.
The campaign states that the adoption of cork products, such as natural wine stoppers, is the most environmental friendly and sustainable option, for both the consumers and the planet.
Save Miguel relies mostly on the Internet to spread its message, through a video in which Rob Schneider flies to Portugal in order to find and save Miguel. When the adventure begins, Rob only knows that Miguel is responsible for the protection of several species of animals and plants, that he helps preventing prevents forest fires and contributes to the economical prosperity of over 100,000 people.
The Hollywood star ends up finding that the ecologist he is trying to rescue, Miguel, is a cork oak tree. The environmental advantages of cork are many – it is a 100% natural and 100% recyclable material, capable of absorbing large amounts of CO2 –, but the most important one is that its extraction allows the enabling of the cork oak species. Also, the cork extraction activity is an important economic sector in Mediterranean countries.
The campaign can be viewed on websites such as YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and enjoys the support of entities like Girl Guides Australia and Juan Man, the founder of the Free Hugs movement.
Further reading
- Simon Canning (2008-06-30). "Cork puts 'Save Miguel' in it". The Australian (News Limited).
- Julian Lee (2008-02-08). "Bottle-top battle is a corker of twisted emotions". The Courier (Fairfax Media).