As the new official charity of NZ Cricket, Heart Kids launched a giant interactive wicket set that challenged cricket’s biggest fans to run their hearts out. Invented from scratch by digital agency Method Studios, Quickest Little Wicket challenged Kiwis to sprint between the LED wickets and motion-sensors to get their bat over the line within a set time.
Launched at the most recent Blackcaps vs Sri Lanka match at Eden Park, the interactive wicket set-up aimed to raise awareness for Heart Kids by putting healthy hearts to the test.
The innovative beep test used custom-built sensors on the ground to track each runner’s pace and movement and the real-time scoreboard had crowds gathering on the sidelines to cheer on sprinters who dared to take on the clock.
The heart-pumping challenge attracted hundreds of cricketing fans on the day, including a surprise entry from Ben Hurley.
“Every week there seems to be a new Facebook campaign for one charity or another – we wanted to do something that was still digital but would stand out,” said Method Studios managing director Sam Ramlu.
“With Quickest Little Wicket we created an experience as exciting as the match itself. We built an innovative challenge that let the NZ public engage and experience the heart of the charity … so to speak.
“Just eight months ago our son Jesse was born – however our joy was short-lived as we found out he had a congenital heart disease and had to undergo emergency open heart surgery. Our connection with Heart Kids is a pretty personal one and we saw this opportunity as our chance to give back and raise more awareness of the great work Heart Kids do for Kiwi kids all over the country.”
Heart Kids receives no government funding, and is the only charity in New Zealand dedicated to supporting those affected by a childhood heart condition. With over 450 open-heart surgeries being performed on tiny hearts at Starship every year, Heart Kids helps provide over 2500 families every year with practical and emotional services.
Rob Lutter, CEO of Heart Kids said: “The needs of babies and children who are living with a heart condition that has existed from conception are quite different from those who acquire heart disease later in life.
“We’ve never created a public awareness initiative that gets both kids and adults so actively involved in our brand and what we do. Quickest Little Wicket is the type of innovative work we’d like to keep creating as we keep raising awareness of Heart Kids and childhood heart disease.”
- Heart Kids: www.heartnz.org.nz
- Method Studios: www.method.kiwi
CREDITS
Creative/Technical Director: Eugene Eastlake
Digital Art Director: Ben Markby
Account Director: Sam Ramlu
Senior Account Manager: Rhian Bedford-Palmer
Web Designer: Celine Rufener
Videographer: Side Project
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