Flipper

HeinekenⓇ has created a prototype phone case that helps with a very modern problem: everyone being at the bar scrolling through their social media rather than talking to each other. ‘The Flipper’ quite literally flips your phone face down when it senses people are out having a good time through clever voice detection technology. The idea being that instead of being distracted by a barrage of notifications, people get #SocialOffSocials. The witty device uses an AI-trained listening tool connected to a robotic arm to flip the phone nestled inside it when it senses the word ‘cheers’ - a universal sign you’re out having a good time in person.

The global beer brand launches the creation in a bid to demonstrate the issue of ‘Phubbing’ - being distracted by social media and snubbing the people you’re with. In fact, a recent study* showed that up to 47% of adults are ‘phubbers’, glued to their smartphones. To promote the message of getting #SocialOffSocials, HeinekenⓇ recruited Swedish inventor and robotics enthusiast Simone Giertz to test The Flipper in her own idiosyncratic and humorous way.

Simone Giertz said: “I’m trying to spend less time on my phone and more time socializing and so far my strategy has been ‘be really hard on myself’. But that evidently doesn't work very well. So I love ‘The Flipper’ – it's just a clever solution and a good reminder for me to not get distracted by social media when I'm trying to socialize.”

Nabil Nasser, Global Head of HeinekenⓇ, said: “Smartphones and their array of social media apps are essential in our everyday lives, but the habit of scrolling through socials rather than having a good time in person is affecting the quality of our face-to-face interactions. Bars are some of the best places to socialise and make new connections, and we thought The Flipper is a fun way to encourage people to flip off their socials and demonstrate why being present with those around you is so important.”

The HeinekenⓇ “The Flipper” campaign was ideated with creative agency LePub via its tech and innovation collective LeGarage and supported by global PR agency The Romans.

Bruno Bertelli, GLOBAL CEO LePub, CCO LePub Worldwide said: “The Flipper is more than an object – it’s a playful yet meaningful reminder that encourages people to live in the moment and socialize without digital distractions. It's about authentic connections like sharing a beer. We hope this project sparks conversations around the value of being present and stepping away from screens to enjoy real-world interactions and embrace the moment.”

‘The Flipper’ isn’t the first device HeinekenⓇ has created in its bid to tackle digital overload. Last year, the beer brand launched ‘The Boring Phone’ - a stylish phone that comes without all the features that make the modern smartphone so distracting. The devices became a sellout success, proving that social lives are more enriching when there’s less on your phone. In fact, they were so popular that HeinekenⓇ later launched ‘The Boring Mode’ - a way of turning any smartphone into a Boring Phone.

HeinekenⓇ also created ‘The Closer’, a high tech bottle opener that offered a funny response to our ‘always-on’ culture. When people used it to open a bottle of HeinekenⓇ, the bottle opener immediately shut down work applications - leaving you free to enjoy a beer without any annoying emails and notifications.

The ironic yet iconic Flipper is a prototype, but even those who can't get their hands on one are encouraged to flip their phones the old fashioned way and avoid digital distractions. Cheers! #SocialOffSocials.