andy-awards logo ANDY Awards

ANDY Awards

Creative Award
New York, United States
Smart Public Affairs - "TXTBKS" by ANDY Awards 2014

Filter results by

TitleTXTBKS
Agency
Campaign TXTBKS
Advertiser Smart Communications, Inc.
Brand Smart Public Affairs
Date of First Broadcast/Publication 2013 / 1
Business Sector Personal Wireless Communication
Tagline none
Story TXTBKS is a low-tech, low-cost educational tool that transforms older generation cellphones and simcards into a e-reader capable of storing children's school books. 
Philosophy Smart, the Philippines' largest telecommunications company, took their mission to 'make text light and easy' further than ever as we introduced Smart TXTBKS. This low-tech, low cost solution turned even the oldest analog phones into a new type of e-reader.
Over six months, we collaborated with respected textbook authors and publishers to refine official school texts into 160-character messages. These were then programmed into the inboxes of thousands of inactive surplus sim cards. 
 
 
Problem In developed countries, tablets and e-readers have become the solution to large, heavy textbooks. But for Philippine public schools students, even the cheapest model is worth more than what their families make in a month. In fact, the only gadgets most own are one or two old analog mobiles phones, used mainly for texting.
This is tragic because they're the ones who need a textbook alternative the most. Kids as young as seven must bring up to 22 books daily, leaving them exhausted and unfocused even before their first class —and in many documented cases, afflicted with scoliosis. 
Result TXTBKS was initialy launched in 4 partner schools. Immediately, teachers noticed the kids participated more and performed better, since most of them we no longer tired carrying large heavy school books. A psychologist also noted that because the kids were fascinated with the new technology, they were more engaged in class.
The TXTBKS campaign is currently under study by the Dept. of Education for possible roll-out in the 2014-15 school year in specific areas and grade levels. Currently, TXTBKS has already been adapted for use in South Africa, with other countries like India, Oman and Japan expressing interest.
TXTBKS has also been rolled out in several orphanages, where administrators note that for many of the kids it is their first interaction with technology. TXTBKS makes sure they are not left behind. In such orphanages, TXTBKS has generated a STORYBKS spin-off, as award-winning and best-selling children's book author, Russell Molina, donated 10 of his books for encoding.
Media Type Case Study
Length
Soundtrack none
More Information none
AI Description The advertisement highlights the innovative solution developed by Smart Communications to tackle the heavy burden of textbooks for schoolchildren in the Philippines. It illustrates the collaboration with textbook publishers to convert school texts into 160-character SMS messages that are loaded onto old mobile phones through surplus SIM cards. This transformative use of a low-tech option empowers children with a new kind of e-reader, significantly lightening their backpacks. Various schools and educators are featured, discussing the notable improvement in students’ participation and performance. The ad visually contrasts scenes of children struggling with heavy bags and others happily engaging with the TXTBKS material. Statements from educational authorities and participating teachers affirm the positive impacts of this initiative. The overall message is one of community-driven innovation and its positive effects on learning and child development.
Chief Creative Officer
Executive Creative Director
Copywriter
Art Director
Programmer
Illustrator
Account Supervisor
Client Services Director
Account Manager
Producer
Editor
Associate Creative Director
Associate Creative Director
Copywriter
Art Director
Illustrator
Production Company