BBDO/Proximity Singapore and Leo Burnett Singapore bring Earth Hour to iPhone apps

ASIA-PACIFIC – SINGAPORE, MARCH 25, 2011 – Two Singapore agencies have separately created mobile phone apps for WWF Earth Hour, which will be held globally on March 26 fro 8:30 to 9:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to switch of the lights and turn off the electricity for one hour.

BBDO/Proximity Singapore, in association with mobile app developer, Monterosa, has conceptualized and built the WWF CandleHour app, which turns the user’s iPhone into a virtual candle in symbolic support of Earth Hour. 

Aside from the virtual, zero-emission flame, functionalities include an Earth Hour reminder before the event and a geo-location feature that plots participation across the globe. Participants can also share via Facebook and Twitter. Plans are also afoot to tie up with restaurants and have a Dinner-By-iPhone-Candlelight event to commemorate Earth Hour 2011.

“It’s a beautiful, simple app that captures the symbolism of Earth Hour, reminds you when the hour is upon us and links you with your fellow Earth Hour supporters around the world,” said Danny Searle, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer at BBDO/Proximity Singapore.

Leo Burnett Singapore worked with WWF to develop the 60+ iPhone app, which provides a list of easy-to-do acts that users can do to help the planet. After taking part, users can check-in their acts right away earning them achievements which can then be shared among their friends on their social networks.

Individual, and global contributions will be tracked – leading to an Earth Hour that goes beyond the hour. The next phase will see the addition of gamecenter support to promote this and to encourage more competition among friends.

The entire design of the app is also an act of going beyond the hour with the entire interface created out of discarded cardboard boxes and paper. Everything was drawn by hand – even the badges were hand-sewn.

Both apps are available for download from the iTunes store.