OUR WORK Kibeam
Launching a Screenless Revolution in Early Literacy
In a world where early learners are increasingly pulled toward screens, Kibeam set out to do something different: bring books to life without a screen at all. With the Kibeam Wand, a handheld “screenless AI” device, children can point to words and images in physical books to hear stories read aloud, play literacy games, and interact with content in a more immersive, tactile way.
That vision needed a major stage for introduction to the K–12 market. ISTELive—the International Society for Transforming Education’s flagship conference—offered the opportunity to reach educators, leaders, and technology providers under one roof.
When Kibeam engaged our team, the company was led by a team of veteran education innovators, including alumni of LeapFrog’s LeapPad, who needed to ensure maximum exposure for their high-profile launch. With just six weeks to prepare for this debut, we were brought in to build the brand from the ground up and lead a high-impact go-to-market launch.
GOAL
Our team was tasked with transforming Kibeam from a breakthrough product concept into a credible brand in early literacy. Through a fast-moving, narrative-driven campaign, the objective was to position the Kibeam Wand as more than an edtech novelty. We instead framed it as a trusted instructional tool that bridges physical books and modern learning needs, knowing that angle would capture the attention of educators, district leaders, and key media before, during, and after ISTELive.
SECTOR EXPERTISE
Education
12
secured media opportunities
2
award wins
7
secured ISTELive onsite interviews
15,000+
stakeholders reached
6
immediate media hits generated at ISTELive launch
The Work
We began with an accelerated discovery process, immersing ourselves in Kibeam’s “screenless AI” technology and the founders’ vision for a new era of literacy engagement. A clear opportunity emerged: while educators are increasingly concerned about screen time in early grades, they are also searching for more engaging ways to build foundational reading skills. Kibeam sits directly at that intersection.
We shaped the narrative around a simple but powerful idea: learning to read should feel interactive, not passive. The Kibeam Wand was positioned not as a toy or a replacement for books, but as a bridge between print and participation. That framing was critical to earning trust in a market where credibility determines classroom adoption.
With only weeks to prepare for ISTELive, we built a full go-to-market engine. This included messaging architecture, a media strategy targeting education decision-makers, and a thought leadership plan elevating Kibeam’s team, which included founders with deep roots in education innovation. We also developed a post-launch strategy anchored in seasonal storytelling themes and high-visibility award opportunities to sustain momentum beyond the event.
At ISTELive, our team executed a high-impact launch that combined proactive media outreach, on-site press coordination, and live demonstrations designed to showcase the Wand’s classroom potential. The launch generated coverage from influential education outlets, including Education Week Market Brief, Tech & Learning, and eSchool News, building awareness beyond the ISTE exhibit hall.
Following the event, FINN extended the campaign through targeted media placements, strategic interviews, and content development designed to support both awareness and sales enablement. This included a lead-generation resource focused on PreK–3 literacy engagement and a detailed case study highlighting successful pilots in New York City and California.
The results went beyond a successful product launch to the creation of a new narrative. In just six months, Kibeam moved from an emerging innovator to a recognized voice in early literacy, backed by industry awards, sustained media visibility, and growing credibility among K–12 decision-makers.