The installation illustrates how access to technology and connectivity is as vital in today’s world as household necessities, while also giving information on how to donate devices to the Great British Tech Appeal.
Vodafone and Global, the Media and Entertainment group, will today showcase an experiential supermarket aisle in London’s iconic Leicester Square.
The installation is part of a six-month collaboration – called everyone.connected – which aims to raise awareness of digital exclusion and inspire the nation to get involved to help those living without devices and connectivity. It is part of Vodafone’s recently announced commitment to connect one million people by the end of 2022.
Currently 1.5m UK households, or approximately 6% of the population, are living without internet access. To raise awareness of the digital divide, people visiting Leicester Square on Thursday 19 August are being invited to view Vodafone’s installation where they can learn more about the issue and the impact it has on peoples’ lives.
Visitors will see everyday essentials displayed on ‘supermarket shelves’ as a way of demonstrating that access to technology and connectivity is as vital in today’s world as household necessities.
QR codes will also be displayed, so people can find out more about how they can donate their unwanted phones, tablets or laptops to Vodafone’s Great British Tech Appeal for redistribution to young people and families who need them via charity partner Barnardo’s.
People who don’t have devices to give away can support the campaign by making a cash donation to Global’s Make Some Noise which supports small charities across the country, including projects providing access to technology and digital skills training.
Outdoor advertising reflecting the Leicester Square installation will appear across high-impact sites such as The Eye at Holborn and The Euston Underpass in central London, as well as on the London Underground, including the digital escalator panels at Leicester Square station.
The activation will also be supported by Global’s large-format digital outdoor advertising estate across the UK in key cities including Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Liverpool for two weeks from 19 August.
Vodafone’s ‘supermarket aisle’ activation is part of the everyone.connected campaign which was launched in July 2021 in support of Vodafone’s pledge to connect one million people by the end of 2022. The campaign is currently running across Global’s full advertising portfolio which includes the UK’s best-loved commercial radio stations, its extensive nationwide outdoor estate and DAX, the digital advertising exchange platform.
Max Taylor, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK, said: “We’ve been working hard over the last year to help people without devices and connectivity get online. But digital exclusion remains a huge issue and we’re determined to do more.
“This activation is about inspiring people to support our mission to connect one million people by the end of 2022. We’re delighted to leverage the scale and reach of Global’s portfolio to help highlight the problem and encourage people across the country to get involved and get us one step closer to ending the digital divide.”
Donating devices to the Great British Tech Appeal is simple, fast and free of charge. They can be dropped off at participating Vodafone stores or you can go online to request a donation kit, which includes a flattened Freepost box and pre-paid returns envelope. To donate cash, text CONNECT to 70766 [1] to give £5 to Global’s Make Some Noise in support of digital inclusion projects.
To find out more, please search Vodafone everyone connected.
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Notes to editors
Ogilvy
Nicholas Wittenberg – Executive Creative Director
Naomi Nichol & Lily James – Creatives
Tom Bellamy – Social Creative
Adam Robinson – Designer
Hannah Crowley – Strategy Director
Edward Perenyi – Social Strategy Director
Gianna Palyvou – Managing Partner
Madeline McCarthy – Senior Account Manager
Federica Pasculli – Programme Director
Production company: Hogarth
Carat
Natalie de Cruz – Client Partner
Charlotte Adley – Account Manager
Storylab
Rob Honeywood – Agency Managing Partner
Athena Clements – Production Director
Funmi Adebanjo – Senior Production Executive
Posterscope
Lee Mabey – Growth Strategy Director
Tom Mason – Planning & Buying Director
Catherine O’Leary – Planning & Buying Director
The Great British Tech Appeal launched in May 2020. It asks the public and businesses to donate unwanted smartphones, tablets or laptops in working condition. Vodafone then adds six months’ free connectivity and redistributes them to young people and families in need via charity partners Barnardo’s and Business2Schools. Donating tech is simple, fast and free of charge.
Please note: it is the donator’s responsibility to ensure that any data stored on the device is deleted before donating it, including the removal of any SIM card or storage/’memory’ card. If personal information remains on a donated device, we will data-wipe all phones and tablets; and the schools that receive laptops (through Business2Schools) will data-wipe these devices. We are unable to return any SIM cards or storage/’memory’ cards sent to us and these will be responsibly recycled.
Any donated device that can’t be used (e.g. due to damage or software incompatibility) will be responsibly recycled.
About Global’s Make Some Noise
Global’s Make Some Noise is a national charity which improves the lives of disadvantaged people by working with small charities across the UK. Global has brought together its radio brands Heart, Capital, LBC, Classic FM, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold and extensive Outdoor advertising portfolio to help raise awareness and funds to address some of the biggest issues affecting society. Global’s Make Some Noise is an appeal operated by Global Charities, a registered charity in England and Wales (1091657) and Scotland (SC041475). More information is available at makesomenoise.com.
About Global
Global is one of the world’s leading Media & Entertainment groups.
Europe’s largest radio company, Global is home to respected, national market leading media brands broadcasting across the UK on DAB & FM and around the world on Global Player, including Capital, Heart, Classic FM, LBC, LBC News, Global’s Newsroom, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold. Global Player allows listeners to enjoy all of Global’s radio brands, award-winning podcasts, and expertly curated playlists, in one place in app, on web and on smart speakers.
Global is also one of the leading Outdoor companies in both the UK & Europe, with over 235,000 sites reaching 95% of the UK population. Global’s extensive and diverse outdoor portfolio encompasses Transport for London’s Underground network, almost all major UK airports including Gatwick, the UK’s largest portfolio of roadside posters and premium digital screens in prime locations, as well as the UK’s largest network of buses including all major cities.
On air, on Global Player and with our outdoor platforms combined, Global reaches 51 million individuals across the UK every week, including 25 million on the radio alone.
Global created and operates DAX (Digital Ad Exchange), the market leader in digital audio advertising and a pioneering platform in programmatic outdoor advertising.
The company headquarters is in London’s iconic Leicester Square. Ashley Tabor-King OBE is Founder & Executive President, Stephen Miron is Group CEO, Lord Allen is Chairman and James Rea is Director of Broadcasting. Ashley Tabor-King created Global in 2007.
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