CommBank launches new educational virtual reality experience via M&C Saatchi, Sydney

CommBank has launched a first of its kind storybook and accompanying VR app called ‘The Teleporter Adventures’, designed to teach kids financial lessons through immersive storytelling.  

The book follows the story of Sammy the Space Koala, an Australian koala who travels through the galaxy in search of a magical present for her Grandma’s birthday. Throughout the journey kids are invited to participate in virtual reality chapters, learning important lessons around financial ‘needs’ and ‘wants’.

‘The Teleporter Adventures’ is an expansion of CommBank’s Start Smart program, the largest educational program of its kind in the world, with this latest experience designed to determine whether VR technology combined with a storybook in a student’s home can reinforce financial education lessons learned at school.

WATCH THE VIDEO

GET THE APP

Says Michael Canning, executing creative director at M&C Saatchi: ” ‘The Teleporter Adventures’ are a hybrid of the classic storybook and virtual reality worlds.  As a new platform for immersive storytelling, we hope to reach more and more kids and communities around Australia with a fun way to learn about money, building on CommBank’s proud heritage of financial education”.

To create the book, Sammy the Space Koala, M&C Saatchi collaborated with award-winning Australian author Ursula Dubosarsky, winner of the prestigious Australian Children’s Book of the Year Award. The printed storybook is designed as a package that comes with a smartphone app (available on iOS and Android) and Google cardboard headset, branded ‘The Teleporter’, which kids use to teleport into virtual reality chapters of the story.

Says Stuart Tucker, general manager of brand, sponsorship and marketing operations at CommBank: “This platform harnesses virtual reality and education to build on the work we already do to prepare Australian children for their future. For us, it’s the first step in exploring the possibilities technology has to offer in improving financial literacy.”

Google’s director of media and entertainment, Bart Jenniches, commented that the platform is “A great example of how Australian brands can use virtual reality and inexpensive viewers to communicate and educate.”

Around 10 per cent of Australian 15-year-olds have not reached even a baseline level of financial literacy, and financial education programs play a vital part in ensuring their future wellbeing. The investment in Start Smart is an important part of Commonwealth Bank’s new corporate responsibility plan, Opportunity Initiatives, which is designed to drive positive change.

M&C Saatchi worked with Tricky Jigsaw to design the product experience and Fin Design to illustrate the storybook and translate those assets into the world of virtual reality. ‘The Teleporter Adventures’ will be publicised in CommBank’s owned channels, social and with a 30 second launch film animated by Heckler TV and produced in house by M&C Saatchi.

Agency: M&C Saatchi, Sydney