Vodacom: How e-School limited disruption in a global crisis

Vodacom

Vodacom e-School

Keeping young South Africans learning and connected when schools closed their doors

PROBLEM 

When Vodacom South Africa partnered with the Department of Education in 2014, it was to develop a mobile tool or application to assist school children from Grades R to 12. Vodacom has always committed to supporting education and believes that technology is a critical enabler in this process. Together, Vodacom and the Department of Education created e-School, an easy-to-use educational app for children and parents. The app was developed in multiple languages and aligned with the country’s local syllabus. Yet, when e-School launched, no one could have imagined just how important technology would prove in supporting education goals and continuity in 2020. With everyday lives changing drastically overnight, Vodacom recognized an imperative and an opportunity: to drive forward with bold purpose, as e-School would become critical for South Africans as schools closed. As part of the brand’s initiatives to support customers when they need it most, they ramped up communication efforts, making parents, and the country at large, aware that e-School is available to use for free.

SOLUTION 

WE Communications worked with Vodacom to share its story and shine a spotlight on the e-School platform as the go-to educational destination during lockdown. Executing a targeted influencer campaign with WE’s PLUS Network partner, TILT, WE helped generate authentic conversations with influential South African parents and their audiences. The agencies worked with influencers, who have more than 4 million followers collectively, to drive awareness, traffic and sign-ups to the app.

Metro FM news reader and mother Melanie Bala shared her experience with over 100,000 followers, and 5FM radio host DJ Sureshnie Rider expressed how she successfully turned “lockdown into learn-down” with her kids. The campaign was also promoted by South Africa Idol’s host, Proverb, sportscaster Carol Tshabalala, and TV presenter Ewan Strydom.

RESULTS