thmbnls – 2 Sides 2 Every Story
It seems like the Register’s (and subsequently our) negative post regarding mobile phone-based drama thmbnls was pretty wide of the mark.
Emma Cowan, who works for Interactive Services at the Central Office of Information, has an active role in the creation of the show and was quick to put us straight regarding this Government-endorsed safe sex initiative.
“The figure they quote of £4.6m, is for all campaign activity to help us reach our target of halving teenage pregnancy by 2012 – so it covers 3 campaigns, 2 directed at youth, and one at parents,” she said. “The figure includes TV, press, PR, a helpline, radio etc, only a small fraction of which has gone into making this mobile drama.”
“We used mobile so that the teenage audience could view it personally,” Emma continues. “Away from prying parents’ eyes, we could personalise the videos they get, and so that they can easily interact and engage with the drama. We launched the Facebook group – which is obviously free – this week. Regarding YouTube, you’re right, there are very few subscribers, but we haven’t been posting the videos on YouTube, so there’s not much content to subscribe to.”
Many valid points, and a stark contrast to the bleak, money wasting picture painted by the Register’s initial article. Also, it is apparently not ‘cool by committee’, with much of the show’s content without a preachy angle and written by the cast themselves.
So, why not prove that you are a little more open minded than myself, and take a look at the adventures of Jakky, Mundy, Lupe and the gang every Friday at 7?