Erin Thompson, Content & Social Media Marketing Manager:

When I think about superheroes, I think about courage.

Gary Ploski showed courage when he challenged the Supercool Creative ad agency to change their logo – an image of a Superman look-alike with a cigarette dangling from his lips. On Twitter, Gary reached out to Supercool, saying “Your superhero…is smoking? That’s not really cool.”

Will Chamberlain showed courage when, on his first day as Supercool’s social media strategist, he went straight to his management team with Gary Ploski’s complaint.

Supercool Creative’s management team showed courage by trusting their newest hire to launch a viral campaign encouraging people to vote for Supercool to change their logo.

Smokers and former smokers know a lot about courage. Smokers who make the decision to quit are courageous. Smokers who reach out to friends and family for social support are courageous. Former smokers who pour their time and energy into encouraging those who are currently quitting – these are the true superheroes, the courageous, the super-cool. They know what it takes to fight the terrible adversary of addiction, and they are brave enough to admit the struggles that come with committing to a tobacco-free life. If you need proof, just take a look at the stories on the wall of our Facebook fan page. The determination and hope that shine from the community that has grown there is humbling.

Courage isn’t fearlessness; it’s moving forward in the midst of difficulty, facing fear and the risk of potential failure. It’s putting one foot in front of the other. It’s moving forward with the belief that change really is possible.

Join the conversation by retweeting “@SupercoolAgency Change Your Logo #LoseTheCig.”

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