Graduates of public schools in a Florida county who missed out on a traditional celebration thanks to the pandemic are now celebrating their achievements with Flo Rida in AR
Quick read
➨ Graduates are able to record themselves accepting diplomas from Robert Runcie, the Broward schools superintendent, and international music artist Flo Rida
➨ They can also point their phones at the #2020gradsecret social media sign to launch a special video message
➨ One student in each of the four AR experience categories will be awarded $200 from Broward Education Foundation in a ‘who did it best’ contest
The story
Not-for-profit funding provider Broward Education Foundation has teamed up with AR developer ImagineAR to create an immersive mobile experience for Broward County public school graduates who missed on a graduation party when their schools closed earlier this year.
Using the free ImagineAR app, graduates are able to record themselves in their homes accepting diplomas from Robert Runcie, the Broward schools superintendent, and international music artist Flo Rida.
Students are encouraged to record a congratulatory message or dance with either Runcie or Flo Rider and share their videos on social media with #2020gradsecret.
ImagineAR’s advanced technology and free mobile app allow students to move, talk and interact with AR recreations of Runcie and Flo Rida. The AR experiences are geo-targeted only to Broward County and graduates choose from four customisable interactive experiences.
Alen Paul Silverrstieen, chief executive officer and president of ImagineAR, explained: “ImagineAR’s mobile app allows graduates to view and record their own diploma presentation using AR. It literally looks like the superintendent or Flo Rida are right next to these graduates, whether they’re in their living rooms, back yards or anywhere.”
“We were thrilled to partner with Broward Education Foundation to bring this immersive technology to life- for the first-time ever and- for Broward’s graduating seniors.”
“This futuristic ImagineAR augmented reality technology is a trip,” said Flo Rida in a statement. “I’m happy to help these graduates define a new way of celebrating and social interaction as they move on to the next chapter in their young lives.”
Graduates can also point their phones at the #2020gradsecret social media sign to launch a special video message from National Basketball Association legend and longtime Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade.
Each of the more than 18,000 graduating seniors received a special ‘Class of 2020’ sign with their cap and gown packages, courtesy of Broward Education Foundation’s partner and supporter, BrightStar Credit Union.
One student in each of the four AR experience categories will also be awarded $200 from Broward Education Foundation in a ‘who did it best’ contest.
Metro Group Miami chief executive officer Bruno Dede, whose company produces printed materials for Broward Education Foundation, came up with the idea to use AR.
He said: “When the foundation placed an order for graduation banners, we started brainstorming about social media signs and a lightbulb went off. I immediately connected them with ImagineAR, Flo Rida and Dwyane Wade.”
“Bruno set the wheels in motion and we ran with it,” continued Pejay Ryan, director of marketing for Broward Education Foundation.
“Since something like this has never, ever been done before, we created our own AR launch roadmap. We designed social media signs, QR codes, 2020gradsecret.com website, instructions, and crafted scripts and copy.”
“With the help of the great team at BECON, we directed and shot the green screen footage of Mr Runcie and Flo Rida for the AR content available only in Broward County with the ImagineAR app.”
Shea Ciriago, executive director of Broward Education Foundation, said that the aim of #2020GradSecret was to make the Class of 2020’s graduation “a very special and memorable experience” in such unprecedented times.
Dustin Jacobs, vice president of marketing at BrightStar Credit Union, added: “Graduating from high school is an important right-of-passage. It’s very exciting to help Broward’s seniors experience it a whole new way.”
Superintendent Runcie said: “When Broward Education Foundation proposed this idea that would allow students to video themselves receiving their diploma and more, in their own homes, it occurred to me how truly great things are often born from challenging situations.”
Main image: Screen grabs from Broward Education Foundation’s promotional video for #2020gradsecret
Source: https://vrworldtech.com/2020/06/22/florida-county-graduates-celebrate-in-ar-with-flo-rida/
