JCDecaux uses interactive voice recognition panel in R U OK campaign

Out-of-Home industry first campaign, R U OK?, which debuts to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday 10 September, includes an interactive JCDecaux panel that uses voice recognition to trigger both on-screen and verbal responses.

Passers-by are prompted via a floor decal placed in front of the panel as well as an on-screen call to action to ask: “R U OK?” The panel, which appears on George Street in Sydney’s CBD, recognises the phrase and will dispense information on what to say and do if a friend, family member, colleague or peer says they are not OK.

JCDecaux has partnered with suicide prevention charity R U OK? to help realise its mission to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and to support anyone struggling with life.

Recent evaluation measures released by R U OK? show that among those people aware of R U OK? most feel confident they know how to have a conversation with someone who might be struggling but 31% (according to the Kantar Quarterly Tracker in June 2020) lack confidence or are unsure how to have a conversation with someone who is not OK, making this Out-of-Home campaign messaging especially important.

JCDecaux Head of Creative Solutions, Ashley Taylor, said: “This campaign provides the space to model a really important conversation. Our interactive street furniture panels can help people learn more about how to have a conversation with someone who is struggling. Understanding audiences are conscious about things that they touch as a result of COVID-19, the voice recognition functionality provides a safe way to continue to deliver meaningful messages, hands free.”

R U OK? Campaign Director, Gennie Sheer said the generous support from JCDecaux this year has helped encourage more Australians to stay connected during challenging times.

“It’s important that Australians feel they have the skills to navigate a meaningful conversation especially if someone says they’re not OK,” Sheer said. “The JCDecaux interactive activity complements our broader campaign to educate and empower people with the knowledge and confidence to start a conversation that could change a life.”

JCDecaux will also feature the R U OK? campaign across its national Out-of-Home network during September.

Watch the video at https://vimeo.com/454646936/6cd6a3b3bf