On 7th of June 2015, the BBC, together with 29 partners, unveiled the final version of the Micro:bit device, a small, handheld coding device that will be given to every year 7 or equivalent child in the UK this autumn – up to a million in total.

As part of the BBC’s 2015 Make it Digital initiative, the BBC micro:bit aims to help young people develop core skills in science, technology and engineering. It marks the BBC’s most ambitious education initiative for 30 years, following the 1980s BBC Micro initiative that introduced many children to computing for the first time.

Our client Freescale was amongst the partners involved in this event, contributing to the hardware of the micro:bit and providing the Kinetis KL02 microcontroller that manages the micro:bit’s USB connection, allowing the users to connect the micro:bit to their computers. Freescale also provided the accelerometer and magnetometer motion sensors that will allow children to create exciting new applications based on position and whether they shake, turn or tilt their micro:bit.

With a string of 29 partners, including the likes of ARM, Microsoft, Barclays and Samsung all involved in this event, it was no small feat cutting through all the noise surrounding the other prominent brand’s involvement in the event and making sure the media was aware of Freescale’s presence.

We surpassed expectations and smashed targets and objectives. It all resulted in a healthy 24 pieces of coverage in target media outlets including WIRED, The Guardian and The Drum , all associating our client with this impressive event. This was supplemented with briefings and the positive association that Freescale gets from being associated with such an exciting project, alongside prestigious partners. A thoroughly enjoyable event for us to work on, and great results for our client!