theAudience’s team of digital storytellers will work closely with these groups to launch a multi-faceted social and traditional media campaign to educate businesses, consumers, and society at large about Bitcoin.

“As the ecosystem matures, Bitcoin companies are stepping up to the plate. We’re excited to join a coordinated and concentrated effort to teach Bitcoin to the world’s almost 3 billion internet users -- two-thirds of which are from the developing world,” said Brock Pierce of Bitcoin Foundation.

Valery Vavilov, CEO of BitFury commented on behalf of leading Bitcoin companies that joined efforts to build public awareness of Bitcoin: “We are passionate about Bitcoin and the highly disruptive technology of blockchain which will have the social, cultural and technological impact on society as the Internet did starting 20 years ago. We selected theAudience for their ability to effectively communicate impactful stories. We trust in their ability to convey our passion, belief in the genius behind the blockchain and determination to bring the benefits of the Bitcoin and blockchain to the world.”

“Bitcoin offers incredible benefits for humanity,” commented Oliver Luckett, co-founder of theAudience. “We’re digital storytellers and want to help Bitcoin companies convey the positive change they’re capable of bringing to the world -- from new fraud-proof voting mechanisms, to affordable remittance payments, to banking services for the disenfranchised.”

While Bitcoin has been widely discussed in the media and continues to grab headlines, a recent survey conducted by CoinCenter, a non-profit research and advocacy group focused on the public policy issues facing cryptocurrency technologies, revealed that out of 1,000 people less than 10% were “very familiar” with Bitcoin. According to the survey, around 65% of respondents admitted they were “not familiar at all” with Bitcoin. Of those respondents who are familiar with Bitcoin, over 80% have never actually used it.

It is clear that the public, the media and the business community need to be educated and there is more work to be done to build wide-spread awareness.