We’re quite the fans of social media platforms and new ideas here at Housing Jobs – as you may have gathered! I’m also a big fan of iPhones, so much so I’m rarely seen without mine by my side. Which is why, iHobo, the iphone application that allows the user to interact with an animated homeless youth, developed by advertising agency Publicis London for Depaul UK, is something that really stood out to me.
The application challenges the user to look after the homeless person for three days, making decisions on his behalf in order to keep him off drugs and stop him getting ill.
The iPhone user has to provide food, warmth and support whenever the application sends alerts straight to the iPhone. The app also provides info on the homeless person’s health, including their body temperature, calorie intake and how many alerts the users has missed.
The aim of the app was to highlight the charity to a new market segment.
"We wanted to reach that elusive generation of young, affluent donors who tend to exist in a world defined by their mobiles," Publicis creatives Tom Ewart and Adam Kean told MediaWeek magazine.
The application also allows for the user to make donations to Depaul UK.
iHobo has consistently received praise through the “App Store” and Depaul UK reports that following the 600,000 downloads, there has been an increase in the amount of supporters of the charity.
The application is a refreshing change to the usual shock tactic advertising charities use to try raise awareness and subsequently gain donations, and it is the perfect example of an innovative and incredibly well targeted marketing campaign.
The organisation is fresh in my mind when I think about homeless charities, and I absolutely love the challenge of trying to take care of the homeless character. It has definately raised my awareness - and hopefully will raises yours soon too!
The organisation is fresh in my mind when I think about homeless charities, and I absolutely love the challenge of trying to take care of the homeless character. It has definately raised my awareness - and hopefully will raises yours soon too!
iHobo 1.1 has been launched today which allows you to integrate the application with your Facebook page, as well as personalisation, information on homelessness and a league of care. To download the application, please visit…
Source: The Independent, DepaulUK
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