Would you want your very own virtual hobo?
This new campaign for a UK charity is either thought provoking, or for some it may have simply gone too far.
Everyone’s heard about virtual babies created to teach young people about what happens when they don’t use contraception.
But have you ever considered having a virtual homeless person on your phone?
Well that’s exactly what Depaul UK has decided to do, with its new iPhone app – iHobo – created by Publicis London.
That’s right, you can download an app to look after a virtual homeless person for three days, with the users sent alerts whenever their iHobo needs help.
So, instead of caring for and feeding a virtual baby, a charity has come up with a virtual hobo.
But in its push to attract younger donors to the charity, has it gone too far and will enough people take it seriously?
Camille Alarcon
Dubious taste… but the frictionlessness of an iphone transaction and the awareness it’ll raise amongst a younger audience makes this a cracking idea.
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Hobogotchi!
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A shame its not available in the Au iTunes store, a thought provoking app indeed.
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thought it trivialised the issue at first but the video was compelling and i think it’s an innovative idea that’s worth a go
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i-vomited
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I think the concept is a great idea, and it’s a clever strategy for a push into the digital space, but I think there is a very thin line between the seriousness of the campaign, and the humour involved in looking after your own ‘pet’.
I can’t help but think back to when I used to purposefully over-feed my sisters tomagochi. The results of the little black-and-white pixel character over-eating were comical. I think the application will be mis-used and the overall message will be missed.
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