Innovative ‘Look at Me’ partnership and #WhoEyeAm campaign—featuring Niam Jain, 13-year old Toronto artist living with Autism

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 31, 2016 /CNW/ – Samsung Canada, in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada, is continuing to shed light on the positive impact technology can have on children and families living with autism. Part of the next phase of the innovative ‘Look at Me Project’, this year’s campaign features the story of Niam Jain, a 13 year-old Canadian artist living with Autism, and how technology is helping Niam connect with the world.

“Inspired by the successful launch of the Look at Me application and the many stories of families living with autism, Samsung is excited to launch the #WhoEyeAm project,” said Mark Childs, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Canada. “Alongside Autism Speaks Canada, we look forward to partnering with children like Niam and his family to encourage Canadians to learn more about how technology can help children living with autism connect with the world and share their #WhoEyeAm stories.”

With Niam’s engaging #WhoEyeAm story serving as inspiration, Samsung, in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada, is excited to announce it will be donating 500 of its newest, family-ready tablets, the GALAXY Tab A 9.7″, pre-loaded with Samsung’s Look at Me autism-app to families and organizations across Canada living and working with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Canadians are invited to visit samsung.com/whoeyeam and autismspeaks.ca before April 30th, 2016 to apply to receive one of the 500 Samsung tablets with the Look at Me app. Three hundred tablets will go to families who may otherwise not have access to Samsung technology, with the remaining 200 tablets going to organizations including schools, hospitals and service centres working with ASD.

“We are thrilled that The Look at Me Project is expanding in size and scope so that more individuals and organizations can benefit from access to technology.  Since our partnership with Samsung began, the goal has been to make an impact on the autism community by providing access to tools.  I look forward to amplifying our impact,” said Jill Farber, Executive Director, Autism Speaks Canada.

Niam’s #WhoEyeAm Story Lights It Up Blue for Autism Awareness Month

The hero of this year’s Look at Me campaign, Niam has crafted special ‘Light it Up Blue’ inspired artwork which will be the focal point of a national movement to kick off April’s Autism Awareness Month. This includes:

  • Torontonians are invited to experience Niam’s #WhoEyeAm story and his stunning artwork at a special, one-day only #WhoEyeAm Gallery event at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square. Hosted by Samsung Canada and Autism Speaks Canada, the event will run from from 5-9pm on April 1, 2016, helping Niam ‘Light it Up Blue’ in support of Autism Awareness.
  • Throughout April, Canadians are invited to post to their social channels using the #WhoEyeAm and #LIUB hashtags, with posts auto-generated to feature select pieces of Niam’s Light it Up Blue artwork. From April 1-2nd specifically, Samsung’s Yonge-Dundas Square billboard will feature tweets and posts using those hashtags!
  • Niam’s artwork and #WhoEyeAm story will be showcased in a special campaign video at Samsung.com/whoeyeam, in-store at Samsung’s four experience store locations (Metrotown in Burnaby, B.C.; Richmond Centre in Richmond, B.C.; West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, and Sherway Gardens in Ontario) as well as on billboards across Canada.

To get involved in the #WhoEyeAm and #LIUB story, visit Samsung.com/whoeyeam and AutismSpeaksCanada.ca/lookatme.  Additionally, follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on Twitter @SamsungCanada.

About ‘Look At Me’ Application

Developed by Samsung with a multidisciplinary team of clinical psychologists, cognitive psychologists and psychiatrists, Samsung’s Look at Me app can help children with autism improve their ability to make eye contact and interpret facial expressions through an engaging, interactive and fun experience. Available for free download on the Google Play Store, the Look at Me app has been downloaded over 10,000 times since launch in January 2015.

About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

Samsung Electronics Canada inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances and printers. Samsung is a leader in the Internet of Things space through, among others, our Smart Home initiatives. In 2015, Samsung was ranked one of the top 10 most influential brands in Canada, based on a study by Ipsos Reid. Committed to making a difference in communities across Canada, its Samsung Hope for Children corporate giving program supports children’s education, sustainability and health-related issues. Globally, Samsung employs 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of $196 billion.

To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com

About Autism Speaks Canada

Autism Speaks, along with Autism Speaks Canada, is the world’s leading autism science organization. Together with Autism Speaks, we have invested over $200 million to scientific research, $9 million in Canada.  Since 2010, Autism Speaks Canada has granted over$4 million to service organizations across Canada promoting collaboration, best practices and building capacity to support individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Autism Speaks Canada is committed to supporting research and services across the country; raising public awareness to encourage inclusion; and collaborating with other organizations to speak alongside the autism community. Please visit AutismSpeaks.ca

About Autism

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviours. An estimated 1 in 68 diagnosed with autism.

SOURCE Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

For further information: Paul Cartwright, paul.cartwright@northstrategic.com, 647-969-7285