An eye-popping integration of digital media

Apr 21st

This short video was a total “wow” for me — and a digital best practice to share with you.

The case study shows an inventive way of integrating several digital technologies to engage people in a charitable cause … people on the street actually interact with a digital projection of a homeless man through text messages.

The only thing missing here is results. How much did this cost? What were the goals and were they achieved? This was an attention-grabber (and there is certainly value in that) but would the money have been better spent buying meals at a mission?

Regardless, this is an exciting demonstration I think you’ll enjoy. Please take a moment to let me know what you think in the comments below!

Thanks to our dear friend Sidney Eve Matrix for introducing this video to our community.

http://www.jonbuscall.com Jon Buscall

Awesome!

I could see how something like this could be applied to, say, galleries or museums looking to grab attention too.
http://www.twitter.com/jennwhinnem Jenn Whinnem

WOW! Love the creativity of this! Thanks Sidney Eve and Mark for sharing.

Interesting, too, the approach to have the donation ask come after the initial interaction. I wish we knew (in addition to Mark’s questions) the success rate in garnering donations.
http://sallyg.me Sally G.

Hi Mark. I think it’s brilliant. This plea has been presented in a way that truly engages the target audience in a variety of ways.

First, the ‘virtual’ homeless man provides a step-once-removed sense that is void of embarrassment or discomfort that many feel when faced with the real thing. This opens the heart to the message without the filters of shame, fear, etc. getting in the way.

Second, people are naturally programmed to help each other. You see this often, especially after a catastrophe of some kind. Total strangers work tirelessly to ensure that ‘victims’ are cared for. Texting on the spot does not require them to ‘remember info’ or allow time to procrastinate. And they may be more inclined to do so because of reason #3 …

… many are driven by ego. The optics of stopping and donating to such a worthy cause are pleasing. Not only will you feel good for doing so — but you ‘look like’ a good person for doing so and people around you are seeing you donate. This will motivate some who would not necessarily donate from the privacy of their own home.

I’m grateful to have seen this today!
Mark

@Jon — Great idea. Lots of potential.

@Jenn — Maybe I’ll just call these folks and find out! : )

@Sally — Fantastic commentary and insights! You’re awesome! Thank you!
http://www.jeremymeyers.com/ Jeremy Meyers

How sad that we’re so embarrassed by our fellow human beings that we spend some of the money that might have gone to help them find a home or some food on a ‘virtual person’ instead.
Mark

Certainly a valid perspective, Jeremy.
Dolores Lancaster

I think this is a fantastic use of technology. I remember reading the book, MegaTrends by John Naisbitt and his talk of high-tech vs. high-touch. This was a great synthesis of both! Brilliant! It evoked immediate responses from the general public. Bravo!

Also regarding the costs and best use of the money to fund this project. Lots of money is spent every minute of every day that could be better invested, so whatever the cost for this project I think is still a great choice in comparison. It confronted people right where they were. It got their attention. It got them to act. That is a lot in our world where we are constantly bombarded by stimuli for less altruistic purposes.

I’m not mad @ them.
http://inthecrowds.wordpress.com/ Coreen (ctmarcom)

Mark, thanks for sharing this. I love this technology. And though I completely understand Jeremy’s point above, there’s also a flip side to this. One of the main reasons people do not give money to the homeless or to homeless causes is because most people don’t believe the homeless will or want to get off the street. This ad/PSA (??) directly contradicts that, in such a cool and interactive way that people will remember. And hopefully, while they continue down the street, their interaction with the “virtual person” changes the way they see actual homeless people and motivates them to help.
Mark

@Dolores — Nice connection to Naisbett. Thanks!

@Coleen — Let’s hope!
http://www.savvy-social-media.com/marketing-campaigns/local-marketing-campaigns/ Gail Grannum

Mark,
What a fantastic example of the “Social” aspect of Social Media. Creating positive actions. I would also like to know the measurable outcome. How many small actions created a bigger result?
@Dolores – the Naisbett reference – Dates me and makes me realize I am living in my future.
Danny Shelton

Powerful stuff!

An eye-popping integration of digital media

Subscribe to {Grow}

Welcome to {grow}

Book Mark to Speak!

Groups We Believe In

Search

Categories

The Archives

An eye-popping integration of digital media

Subscribe to {Grow}

Welcome to {grow}

Follow Mark

Book Mark to Speak!

Groups We Believe In

Search

Categories

The Archives