SGSecure and VML Singapore urge public to look up via ‘Bye Tech Neck’ film

As part of SGSecure’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public awareness and community vigilance against the threat of terrorism, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in partnership with VML Singapore, has launched a new short film encouraging members of the public to look up from their phones and be more aware of suspicious items in public spaces.

Titled “Bye Tech Neck”, the film opens with a masseuse demonstrating simple exercises to relieve so-called “tech neck.” But the light-hearted tutorial takes a (literal) twist, delivering a sobering reminder that the threat of terrorism in Singapore remains high, and everyone must play their roles in staying alert and reporting suspicious items to the authorities promptly. By highlighting the impact of excessive phone use, the short film reminds the public that vigilance starts with simple and small, conscious choices – like looking up from our screens and paying attention to our surroundings.

Nimesh Desai, Chief Executive Officer, VML Singapore, said: “With the threat of terrorism remaining high, the need for vigilance is ever present. It is critical that our communications resonate in ways that are relevant and relatable, capturing attention while clearly underscoring the importance of vigilance.”

Matthias Chew, Director (SGSecure Programme Office, MHA), said: “In our SGSecure social experiments last year, we observed that many people walked past suspicious items without noticing them. Often, people were just glued to their phones. We hope the humour behind ‘Bye Tech Neck’ will help everyone to remember to look up from time to time – and if we can do so, we will be a much more vigilant and safer society.”

The film will be rolled out in March across MHA and SGSecure social media accounts, as well as public transport nodes in Singapore, including bus interchanges and MRT stations.

The film was directed by Thai director Suthon Petchsuwan and produced by Seven Sunday Films and Mum Films.

Credits
Agency: VML Singapore
Mateusz Mroszczak, Chief Creative Officer
Gerald Chue, Group Creative Director
Gelo Lico, Associate Creative Director
Aslinda Khanafi, Senior Copywriter
Ee Min Goh, Art Director
JS Foo, Strategy Director
Fred Eng, Business Director
Hazel Lim, Account Director
Liming Yu, Account Manager
Bernice Wong, Account Manager
Ru Ying Kang, Senior Account Executive
Gisela Sim, Associate Project Director

Hogarth Singapore
Kimie Ong, Executive Producer
Gwynne Chan, Producer

Production House
Seven Sunday Films x Mum Films
Mum (Suthon Petchsuwan), Film Director
Afeeq Nadzrin, Executive Producer
Fon Pornsiri, Business Director
Perdana Batangtaris, Producer
Fern, Producer
Worawoot Sukasem, DOP
Supachai Supakij, Head Editor
Rino Gautama, Co-Editor
Parallel Studios, Colourist
Pawan Sanjaya, Online Artist
Spacebar Audio Productions, Audio Engineering