In an ambitious new campaign by Smart Energy GB, actor and TV personality Ross Kemp is taking to the streets to uncover the truth about smart meters and their impact on everyday households. Teaming up with creative agency AMV BBDO, the campaign features Kemp as he visits homes across the UK, speaking to residents about the benefits of smart meters in helping them monitor energy usage and cut costs.
The adverts, directed by Fred Rowson and produced by BlinkInk, showcase Kemp’s friendly, down-to-earth approach as he asks families about their experience with smart meters. At the end of each spot, Kemp is joined by an animated Albert Einstein, Smart Energy GB’s quirky brand ambassador, who confirms that, according to a nationwide survey, a notable four out of five households are happy with their smart meters. The campaign will air across a range of media, including TV, digital platforms, and social media, extending its reach to millions of viewers.
Tim Riley and Ant Eagle, the creative duo behind the campaign, shared their excitement about Kemp’s role. “Everyone knows Ross as a fearless investigator,” they remarked, “and now he’s venturing down Britain’s leafy streets to uncover the truth about smart meters – and the news is good.”
The campaign doesn’t just rely on Kemp’s charm; it also taps into the practical advantages of having a smart meter. According to Chris Taggart, Smart Energy GB’s director of marketing, Kemp’s “light touch humour” allows viewers to see the “human side of the simple truth that most people are happy with their smart meters.” Taggart added that this complements a concurrent campaign featuring Angela Rippon, who highlights the financial rewards of using a smart meter, including access to cheaper off-peak energy rates.
Why Are People Happy with Their Smart Meters?
The campaign sheds light on the key reasons Brits are embracing smart meters. Firstly, the in-home displays provided with smart meters allow households to track energy usage in real time. By showing energy consumption in kilowatts per hour and pounds and pence, smart meters make it easier for families to budget and keep track of costs, empowering them to make informed decisions.
Secondly, smart meters allow users to see which appliances consume the most energy, potentially revealing where savings could be made. For example, by identifying which devices use energy unexpectedly, households can reduce consumption, potentially lowering future bills. Additionally, with automatic meter readings sent to energy providers, smart meters remove the hassle of manual readings, ensuring households are only billed for what they actually use.
The Einstein and Rippon Connection
This campaign with Kemp follows Smart Energy GB’s earlier campaign with Angela Rippon, which also featured Einstein as a co-star. In that campaign, Rippon educates viewers on the benefits of energy rewards schemes available through smart meter use, showing how households can save money by shifting their energy use to off-peak times. Running side-by-side, both campaigns aim to give a comprehensive view of how smart meters can benefit households, from cost savings to ease of use.
A Step Towards a Smarter Future
As the campaign highlights, smart meters are more than just devices—they’re tools that offer control, savings, and convenience. With Kemp’s affable charm and the playful appearance of Einstein, Smart Energy GB is reaching out to households across the country, urging them to make the switch and join the 80% of smart meter users who report satisfaction.
The dual campaigns, set to run into 2025, signal Smart Energy GB’s commitment to educating the public on sustainable energy use. And with Ross Kemp asking the big question—“Are people happy with their smart meters?”—the answer, it seems, is a resounding yes.
Source: https://www.smartenergygb.org/about-smart-meters/4-out-of-5-smart-meter-owners-are-happy
