A creative advertising competition themed on "Feeling China, connecting the world" and the awards ceremony of "Smiles for the internet of things (IoT)", a public service activity, were held in Wuxi on Sept 12. [Photo/thmz.com]

A creative advertising competition themed on "Feeling China, connecting the world" and the awards ceremony of "Smiles for the internet of things (IoT)", a public service activity, were held in Wuxi on Sept 12.

The activities were organized in part by the Wuxi Municipal Office for the Development of IoT and the Wuxi Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau.

The competition was attended by such universities as Suzhou University and Nanjing Normal University, and renowned advertising companies such as Shanghai 25HOURS.

It gathered 190 works, 66 of which were awarded by the judging panel composed of five masters in the advertising industry.

The public service activity integrated offline experience and online participation. Citizens uploaded their pictures of smiling faces through 30 designated devices in physical stores and winners gave their rewards away to people in need.

Citizens also shared pictures of smiling faces through smartphones with the words "I endorse the IoT" added. One winner was selected each week for the final competition.

The "Smiles for the IoT" activity enabled citizens to feel the integration of technology, culture and public services in a more direct way, and to understand and feel involved in the IoT.

As the 2018 World IoT Expo is about to open, the two activities illustrate the role of advertising in promoting the IoT industry, push forward its rapid development in Wuxi and strengthen the link between key industries and urban brand building.