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Climate Change Entertainment Marketing: Movies, TV, Music and Gaming Advertising

Fight rising tides in Playmob's gamified mobile ad designed to educate about climate change

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By John McCarthy | Opinion Editor

June 13, 2017 | 3 min read

Gamified mobile ads are raising awareness of climate change fueled rising oceans by allowing audiences to try to stem the tide in a pseudo-mobile game, accessible via ad, that is streamed in the browser without an app install.

Playmob gamified mobile ad

Villagers try to stem the tide

New York based global ocean preservation collective We Are The Oceans (WATO) and London-based profit for purpose gaming company Playmob teamed up with ad tech firm Tresensa to deliver an experience that helps raise awareness of the climate risks faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The New York based collective looked to combat a new era of climate change denial that has taken root in the White House despite almost universal condemnation from leading scientists and politicians culminating in President Donald Trump pulling out of the Paris Agreement, a move that has set back international efforts.

The game, called Island Nation Defense, is built in the mobile friendly tower defence style, players are tasked with building flood defences to protect a village – using limited funds. Inevitably, the flood wins the day, hitting home the dangers real SIDS are facing. The title is also intent on educating users about how to prevent climate change.

Upon completion, users are urged to reduce their carbon footprint by turning off appliances, eating less meat or driving less often.

The game, supported by UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services), will be distributed through Playmob’s network of over 150 million gamers – and can be used on top of this to connect brands and causes directly with “hyper-connected and socially conscientious audiences”.

Jude Ower, founder and chief executive of Playmob, said: “Game makers have an incredible opportunity to provide their audiences and fans with positive messages, offering them engaging content that not only helps their own bottom line but increases their brand value through the enabling of social change. Equally for NGO’s, foundations or even brands with a social message who want to reach, engage and mobilise individuals and communities, there is arguably no better route than through gaming.”

Daisy Kendrick, founder and chief executive of WATO, added: “With the recent events regarding the Paris accord, the threat that SIDS face from climate change has never been more acute.

“Therefore, we’re excited to be partnering with Playmob once again to try and help save those communities at the frontline of climate change, with our campaign which promotes the reduction in green house gases and global warming.”

Try the game here.

Climate Change Entertainment Marketing: Movies, TV, Music and Gaming Advertising

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