Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO)

SAWBO is a science-based civic education program based out of Purdue University and Michigan State University.  SAWBO works to create accessible videos in a diverse set of languages from around the world. Our work is to help guide them in best practices and strategies to promote these videos to the necessary audiences.

In 2020, Emerging developed a social media strategy to promote videos created by the Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) that focused on methods to protect yourself against COVID-19. With the COVID-19 video being the first of our promotions, we were able to reach over 10.4 million viewers and acquired over 15.8 million impressions in just one month on Facebook. This resulted in a huge increase in video views, helping to get their important messaging to those who needed it most.

In continuation with our work with SAWBO to promote their educational videos, we developed a broader communications plan to increase their project’s reach online, as well as an acceleration plan to promote a video animation on Jerrycan bean storage. This animation explains how to avoid insect damage when storing beans after harvest using the jerrycan method and is a great resource for farmers in rural communities. The acceleration plan aimed to promote the video in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Bangladesh. Focusing on Facebook promotion for this video as well, the total reach of the project exceeded 10 million.

The success of all campaigns has resulted in further promotional collaborations, accelerating the reach of additional educational videos to audiences in Niger and Rwanda through 2023. Emerging is pleased to continue working with the SAWBO team to assist in the promotion of videos and programs using diverse advertising strategies.

For information on their program, visit the full video library or follow SAWBO on Facebook.