Newly signed interactive director James Cooper is launching his first project with Tool, a Facebook app for healthcare products outfit Help Remedies. Cooper, who already had a close working relationship with the team at Help, conceived the project and worked with Tool’s in-house digital team to execute the FB app.

Just in time for the sniffly season, the app analyzes your FB friends to determine which ones you should avoid for the Flu season. The app scans a combination of check-ins, and keywords (coughing, sneezing, sick) in their status updates to determine which of your friends are prime suspects. Those suspicious of their friends can then quarantine them, sending a good-natured message that they will be withholding their in-person company until the sickness subsides.

“I came to Tool to be able to create work that combines interesting approaches to digital work with smart uses of technology. Most Facebook ideas are all about gaining friends and keeping in touch - Help My Friend Gave me the Flu – is the opposite. It works out who you should avoid! I like work that has a tone of voice and that is confident. Using all the Facebook data out there in a smart way we are able to give fans of Help a tool that, while primarily being a bit of fun, might also save someone from getting sick. Hopefully people will find it helpful this flu season.”

Credits:

Client: Help Remedies
Title: “Help I Have the Flu”
Launch Date: January 2013

Digital Production Co: Tool of North America
Interactive Director: James Cooper
EPs: Dustin Callif, Brian Latt, Oliver Fuselier