Telstra launches ‘Codemates’ to help kids learn digital skills via +61 and Bear Meets Eagle On Fire
Telstra has partnered with +61 and Bear Meets Eagle On Fire to launch ‘Codemates’, an initiative to teach kids essential digital skills for the future, by inviting them to control an animatronic puppet named Patch using code.
The program tutorials are aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies, with learning modules designed to teach complex problem-solving skills by coding musical farts, martial arts moves, and terrible jokes. Making coding feel tangible and connecting with kids on their level.
With Australia facing a shortfall of 131,000 technology workers by 2030, according to the Future Skills Organisation Workforce Plan 2025, the digital skills that coding teaches kids are more valuable than ever.
For over two decades, Telstra has helped hundreds of thousands of Aussie kids dive into digital skills through free programs like Code Club. As the campaign coincides with the 10th year anniversary of annual coding competition Moonhack, the digital experience and teaching resources will be rolled out amongst thousands of Code Clubs across Australia.
Says Brent Smart, CMO, Telstra: “Instead of creating a campaign about how many young people the Telstra Foundation has helped, we thought it was more interesting if our idea focused on helping even more young people.”
Says Micah Walker, Founder and Chief Creative Officer for Bear Meets Eagle On Fire: “Bringing a puppet to life, literally, with the help of young coders is as fun as it is smart. Can’t wait to see what kids make Patch do.”
Says Jackie Coates, CEO of the Telstra Foundation: “Through Code Club Australia, we’ve already helped hundreds of thousands of kids get started on their coding journey. With Codemates, we’re taking it a step further with a new, exciting and unforgettable way to inspire the next generation of digital thinkers to create, explore and dream big. And the more we make tech playful and inclusive, the more kids can see themselves in its future.”
Code Patch to do stuff at: Codemates.fun
Creative Agency: +61 with Bear Meets Eagle on Fire
Media Agency: OMD Australia
PR & Communications agency: Herd MSL
Client: Telstra
Chief Marketing Officer: Brent Smart
Head of Brand and Communications: Alita McMenamin
Brand and Sponsorship Lead: Nicola Reeves
Internal & External Communications: Telstra Comms team
Production Company: Nexus Studios
Creative Lead/ Director: Laurie Rowan
Executive Producer: Julia Parfitt / Zoe Philpott
Snr Producer: Zoe Philpott
Snr Producer Sydney: Tanya Curnow
Head of Production: Kate Ellis
Creative Director: Margaux Bjork
Technical Director: Patrick Hearn
Senior Creative Technologist: Charles Yarnold
Creative Technologist: Hannah Corrie
Technical Lead: Adam Child
Robotics Fabricator: Chris Paton
Full Stack Developer: Pawel Klimkowski, Rafal Gruszecki, Michael Chan
Studio CG Lead: Florian Caspar
Technical Artist: James Bouckley
UX/UI Designer: Paula Gomes
3D Modelling: Yann Vlamynck
3D Rigging: Robin Villier / Nico Rossi
3D Animator: Oleksiy Popov, Sara Holm
Storyboards: Laurie Rowan
Production Manager: Luke Timms, Edith Chappey
Production Assistant: Adam Vincent
QA Tester: Stuart Alexander
Puppet Fabrication: Puppet Magic
Sound Designer: Simon Keep
Creative Educationalist: Cat Lamin
PR & Marketing: Bruce Bigg
Resourcing: Ben Tanner, Sophia Whyte, Indiana Wilson, Natalie Busuttil
Photographer: Sam McElwee
Content DP: Felix Ferguson
Art department: Karla Milat
Set Builder: Macgyver Models
Retouching: Cream Studios
Voice Over: Becky Umbers
Rumble Studios: Daniel William
Maintenance – Meg FX: Nick Nicolaou
Maintenance – Fewd: Jay Young
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