Insight
Up until now, the only way for people with ALS to communicate in their own voices is through a set of pre-recorded sentences (message banking) or words that have been mechanically stitched together using syllables from a bank of recorded words. Both these options are incredibly time-consuming for patients (sometimes up to 20 hours of recordings are needed); they limit the patients’ ability to express themselves, and the end result sounds unnatural. As a result, many patients end up using text-to-speech devices with a default proxy voice, in turn losing a huge part of their own identity and humanity.
Execution
In collaboration with leading experts in machine learning and voice cloning technology, we created Project Revoice, a program that gives people with ALS/MND the ability to communicate freely in their own voice, even after they can no longer physically speak. Powered by a unique deep learning algorithm, the program can analyze the unique characteristics of a person's voice and create a complete digital voice clone from just a couple of hours of voice banking.
To launch this life-changing program we recreated the voice of Ice Bucket co-founder and ALS sufferer Pat Quinn, who in the years since becoming the public face and voice of ALS was tragically robbed of his own voice.
With just a few Ice Bucket interviews and speeches as raw material, we managed to rebuild Pat's voice and integrate it with his eye-tracking computer. We then captured and shared with the world the moment when he finally spoke again.
Result
Since launch, Project Revoice has had an earned reach of more than 900 million, with 41 million people joining the conversation on social media. Most importantly, in the first month alone over 500 patients joined the program to receive their own Revoice.
Retail Transformation
Isobar: Retail Transformation
mcgarrybowen: The Fading Font
Creating awareness around the symptoms of Alzheimer’s through a specially designed font that was free for public use.
Isobar: Mondelez
Driving transactions with Mondelez through a digitalised check-out counter experience.
BWM Dentsu: Project Revoice
Activating silent voices with a program to digitally clone ALS patients’ voices so they can keep communicating as themselves even after they can no longer physically speak.
Vizeum: GhanaPostGPS
Generating conversion for GhanaPostGPS through early engagement, awareness and measurable customer actions.
Isobar: Aeronaut
Driving engagement with William Patrick Corgan's new single through a blend of creativity and technology to create a world-first VR experience.
dentsu X: Disney Studios
A social commerce campaign using chatbot technology via Facebook Messenger to reach a wider audience and drive conversions for Disney Studios.
360i: Change the Picture
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Carat: Dis-Moi Elliot
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Grip: It Takes Balls
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Dentsu Aegis Network: Coca-Cola
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Taproot Dentsu: adidas
An ode to all the para-athletes across the world.
Isobar: Uniqlo
An in-store activation using neuroscience technology, helping shoppers decide what to buy.
Fetch: The Telegraph
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Dentsu Aegis Network: KFC
KFC has been in China for decades and needed to re-invent itself to win young consumers back and grow the business.
John Brown Novus: Starwood
A data-driven, mobile-first, travel and lifestyle content hub that puts our Intelligent Content model into action.
Isobar: Chevrolet
Driving transactions with Chevrolet through this immersive virtual showroom using spatial computing technology.
BWM Dentsu: Qantas
Activating new business in the USA by helping more Americans travel to Australia with Qantas, by giving them a free passport.