Is this a time of great innovation? Or not?
The Alternative UK
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All of us are having to face new - often extreme - circumstances over the next few months as the coronavirus changes the public - and private - space. Let's keep at the forefront of our minds anyone who is vulnerable at this time.
Even so, many of us in this community are already familiar with the issues that this emergency is surfacing. For example, we knew the dangers of pandemics becoming more frequent as a result of human transgression of Nature's boundaries. Others of us have studying the psychology of climate change.
Can we look at this as a time of possible great innovation in all fields of human activity? Or is that hopelessly naive - people will just go back to being themselves as soon as they are allowed to? Please share your thoughts here and respond to our proposal over the next three days.
Poll Created Thu 19 Mar 2020 1:05PM
Let's start an on-line document to track changes in practice and behaviour during the Covid-19 period. Closed Sun 22 Mar 2020 12:02PM
That's a unanimous Yes to the proposal. Can anyone suggest the best tech to use for the document? Or any other design ideas? We will launch it with your ideas this week
Why? Because while this may be portrayed as a temporary crisis, we could also see it as a symptom, or manifestation of the long-term crises that we have not been able to address successfully until now. Let’s mine our energy for stepping up when the chips are down : ) Notice those special capacities we draw on when we are cornered. And make them the new normal.
If you agree, we could invite all of our networks from across the 6 sub-groups in to contribute. If you disagree it will be a chance for you to say why or suggest something else.
Have a look at a very first level document here, which I hope someone can improve upon
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Agree | 100.0% | 6 |
|
| Abstain | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Disagree | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Block | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Undecided | 0% | 42 |
|
6 of 48 people have participated (12%)
The Alternative UK Thu 19 Mar 2020 11:35PM
Great - let's talk this through on Friday.
Will Franks Fri 20 Mar 2020 4:45PM
Hiya :) sorry missed the meeting this morning but keen to help take this idea forward if there is enthusiasm. let me know! x
Indra Adnan Fri 20 Mar 2020 11:29PM
There is : ) Maybe get on a Zoom call over the weekend and talk it through? We may have to identify targets
Pat Kane Sat 21 Mar 2020 3:47PM
Someone on Twitter here talking about adverts they're watching that are definitely living in "The Before" (ie before Covid) - eg Mercedes, "Why Not Now?" Why not, indeed...
Phil Mon 23 Mar 2020 8:07AM
The ads from The Before do jar. Many companies are still working out how to look after their brands during this change.
There's been lots of initiatives announced in social - Best Western hotels offering their beds to the NHS, BrewDog making free sanitiser in their distillery, Jameson's and Guinness separately setting up funds to support bar staff. There is a real desire by some to show solidarity with customers. Others are looking after their staff. Sky announced a package of measures to protect staff salaries at the same time as they increased their subscription fee by about 17%. Make what you will of that. There is a basic principle that many in marketing will believe - those brands that invest in their customer relationships during a crisis, will come out of it stronger, often becoming market leader.
For others, it's about keeping the business going. KFC and Deliveroo both switching to contactless delivery while the supermarkets go on hiring sprees.
But so far there are no TV campaigns that address The During. It takes a while to make an ad, and first you have to work out what to say.
The other big question doing the round in adland is where is government campaign advising people on what to do? They spend a fortune on a Brexit preparation campaign but nothing so far on this. I suspect something will come soon, though,
Will Franks · Thu 19 Mar 2020 6:24PM
I had an idea... why not set up 6 zoom calls, one for each Alternative subgroup topic, and invite the Alternative UK network to come together to discuss how they are manifesting / what the potentials are (in context of the COVID-19 disruption). I think they could be super rich conversations! :) happy to help out with organisation of this if there is enthusiasm (pretty simple gig). love xx