Brands&People wins Silver Design Lion at Cannes with Strap Tech's Ara

Jun. 27, 2024

Brands&People, a creative agency affiliated with the global TBWA network, is thrilled to announce that it has won a Silver Lion in the Design category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for its work on Ara, the innovative portable autonomy technology for visually impaired individuals by Strap Tech. 

Ara is revolutionizing mobility for people with visual impairments. It uses real-time environment scanning with ultrasonic and lidar sensors to detect obstacles. By employing a haptic, universal language of vibration patterns, Ara equips users with autonomy and freedom for navigation and mobility. This groundbreaking technology is setting new standards for assistive devices worldwide. 

This year marks Brands&People's debut at the Cannes Lions Festival, where the agency secured four shortlists in the categories of Design - Medical Products, Direct - Metaverse, New Realities & Emerging

Tech, Health & Wellness - Healthcare Product Innovation, and Use of Technology. Winning their first Lion in the Design category highlights the agency’s innovative approach and passion for design. The collaboration between Brands&People and Strap Tech began with branding Ara, evolving into a multifaceted synergy, including advisory roles, PR, and brand stewardship. Highlights of this collaboration include a joint conference on design and accessibility at SXSW® 2024 and a significant seed investment from Brands&People in the start-up, reinforcing their shared values and impact-driven purpose. 

This journey highlights the fusion of technology, design, and social impact, showcasing Latin American innovation on the global stage.

Gerardo Ortiz, Co-Founder of Brands&People said:

"We are incredibly happy with this collaboration. Our team’s work, creativity, and dedication, combined with Strap Tech’s talent and vision, have paid off. We are honored to receive such global recognition."

 

Ortiz added: 

“Winning our first Lion in Design fuels our passion to continue pushing the boundaries of design and innovation to make a positive impact.”