Engine/Ocean Outdoor: Engine and Spinal Injuries Association invite people to fast-forward the ad on Disabled Access Day

In a remarkable media first for digital out-of-home (DOOH), people are being actively encouraged to fast-forward an advert on Ocean’s full motion Loop network in Manchester.

Created by Engine to raise awareness and funds for Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), ‘Donate to Accelerate’ was one of the winners of Ocean’s annual digital creative competition, which pushes the boundaries in DOOH using emerging creative and technical capabilities.

Filmed from a first-person perspective, the ad fully immerses people in how arduous everyday tasks are for the thousands of people who are spinal cord injured.

Timed to coincide with Disabled Access Day, the interactive donation poster campaign launches in Manchester on Saturday, March 16, supported by experiential activity.

To ensure complete authenticity, Engine commissioned films featuring two people who are spinal cord injured – Raquel Siganporia and Andrew Smart – as opposed to using actors.

In the initial full motion Loop sequence, Raquel and Andrew are seen undertaking everyday tasks, such as making a cup of tea and putting on their shoes. With a spinal cord injury, this progress is painfully slow, making for excruciating viewing.

The advert then invites passers-by to accelerate their rehabilitation by donating £2 to SIA, using an in-built contactless card reader to fast forward the ad.

Without a donation, the agonising struggle continues. When a donation is made, the struggle instantly fast-forwards to the moment when the task is successfully completed. This visual demonstration shows how, over time and with the support of SIA, people who are spinal cord injured can rebuild their lives.

Engine has built a bespoke tech solution paired with the card reader that allows the advertising content to respond to donations in real time, facilitated by Ocean Labs.

The activity is supported on the day by charity ambassadors.