Dream big with Connectow

Citymesh

TL;DR
We launched Wavre as a smart city with the Connectow campaign, turning tech fears into future excitement, thanks to some big ideas from local kids.

In short

Wavre may be known for its theme park thrills (Walibi), but with Connectow, we brought a whole new kind of excitement to the city: smart city innovation. Backed by the European Commission, this project aimed to make cutting-edge technology like 5G accessible and less intimidating to residents.

We shifted the conversation from skepticism to optimism by giving children the microphone. Their unfiltered creativity became the cornerstone of a campaign that celebrated progress, encouraged collaboration, and transformed Wavre’s image into a forward-thinking hub for innovation.

The challenge

Wavre wasn’t exactly eager to embrace smart city technology. Residents were cautious, especially about 5G. The challenge? Build trust, spark enthusiasm, and make innovation feel approachable for a community that preferred to stick to the familiar.

The insight

Who better to envision the future than those who’ll inherit it? Kids have a knack for dreaming big, unencumbered by fear or bias. By letting them lead the conversation, we could present progress in a way that felt positive, relatable, and fun.

The outcome

The Connectow campaign transformed the smart city initiative into an accessible, community-driven project. Playful visuals, vibrant storytelling, and transparent communication helped residents embrace Wavre’s vision for the future.

In numbers

3
year campaign timeline
6
kids sharing their dreams
Thousands
of residents reached through geotargeted ads
5
key themes

In detail

“A difficult message coming from a child’s mouth, is often perceived as softer and more innocent.”

Big ideas from small dreamers

We started by giving Wavre’s kids the floor. Teaming up with illustrator Vince Dubois, we facilitated creative workshops where children reimagined their city’s future. Their ideas centered on five key themes: safety, healthcare, entertainment, education, and mobility.

These discussions led to illustrations that became the campaign’s foundation. The children’s creativity highlighted the potential of smart city technology while making it relatable and fun for all.

A fresh approach

Our campaign prioritized positivity, steering clear of fear-based messaging or tech-heavy jargon. Instead, we positioned Connectow as a project built on collaboration, creativity, and optimism. The tone was light and sometimes even humorous, ensuring the message felt accessible and inviting.

Everywhere in Wavre

We took Connectow’s message to the streets with bold, playful visuals that dominated Wavre’s landscape for a week through geotargeted ads. On social media, we extended the reach with ads and organic posts that kept the creative energy alive.

The campaign’s centerpiece was the Connectow website, a hub for residents to find transparent information, ask questions, and share ideas. This two-way communication made citizens feel involved and valued in the project.

The result? A campaign that turned skepticism into curiosity and made innovation feel like an opportunity, not a threat.

Ready to dream big for your next project? Let’s create something extraordinary: hello@supermachine.be

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