Finding the Christmas Cheer
Finding the Christmas Cheer
Under Pressure 17 November 2022
Finding the Christmas Cheer
We are at that time of year when everything is turning decidedly festive. But this year things will be different for lots of people. 2022 has been a challenging year and has brought with it many crises. The impact of this can be found in the festive adverts developed by big brands.
John Lewis have been leaders in Christmas adverts for many years and have taken a different route this year. The advert focuses on showing a couple preparing to foster a child, in a bid to raise awareness of children in care. This year was always going to need a rethink by advertisers. The war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis, and the impact of climate change has all made 2022 a tough year.
While people were all focused on spending time with family and enjoying time together last Christmas, now they are working out how to manage on a day-to-day basis putting pressure on festive plans. The consumer push needs to be more sensitively approached and it seems with the £20 and £25 Christmas meal deals advertisers have listened to the public mood.
What does all this mean for communicators? It means that any feeling of Christmas cheer needs to be carefully considered. With daily developments economically, socially and politically PR campaigns can go from being creativity to feeling wildly out of touch with people’s lives.
Three questions to consider in the run up to Christmas:
What is happening today and tomorrow, and what does it mean for your festive PR and communication activity?
Can you get someone outside of the organisation to give a reassurance check on that campaign or promotion?
What language have you used? Is it appropriate and is it clear?
Finally, don’t forget to ensure your crisis and issues management plans are up-to-date and that there is someone available throughout the festive period. If you need any help to ensure you are prepared or to cover the festive period get in touch emailing amanda@amandacolemancomms.co.uk
NEW SESSION - Crisis Comms Exercise
The Crisis Communication Exercise taking place on 1 December is fully booked but due to the interest Amanda is planning a session that will take place on Thursday 9th February at 1pm GMT. Places will be limited and can be reserved now by contact Amanda by email (amanda@amandacolemancomms.co.uk).
The session will be a two-hour scenario that develops and requires participants to consider actions and their decision-making when situations develop.
10 minutes with…
Amanda has started a series of short informative crisis communication videos that provide top tips in 10 minutes. The videos feature Amanda interviewing people with a perspective on crisis and issues management.
The first interview is with Canadian crisis management expert Shawna Bruce who talks about here experience of living and communicating through blackouts. Find out what Shawna said here.
If you have an interesting crisis communication perspective that you want to share, get in touch with Amanda for a future edition.
New Book receives positive response
Amanda’s latest book Everyday Communication Strategies is published in the USA and Canada on 23 November. It follows a successful launch in the UK and rest of the world with the book receiving positive feedback.
Everyday Communication Strategies looks at how communicators can through more effective issues management avoid crises developing. It is available through publishers Kogan Page and for readers of the newsletter there is a 20 per cent discount when using the code AMK20 on the Kogan Page website. Find out more about the book here.
In Brief:
The World Health Organisation has just published an implementation guide on ‘Advancing infodemic management in risk communication and community engagement in the WHO European Region’. Thanks to Philippe Borremans for highlighting. Read more here.
Research has been published that identifies some best practice in the health arena that came about during the Covid-19 pandemic. The details have been shared by the London School of Economics and Political Science. The research considers ‘how multi-level decision-making shaped Europe’s response to the pandemic. Read more here.
Forbes contributor Edward Segal looks at how Elon Musk is adding to the problems for Twitter. Find out more here.
A new study has looked at the impact of digital disinformation on peace operations, and what responses have been put in place. Find out more about the study here.
The lessons from the KFC promotion that caused upset and offence are unpicked in a Forbes article. Find out what happened and the learning from it.
The European Commission has strengthened action to tackle cyber threats with a new cyber defence policy. Find out more here.
The UN has challenged the PR industry to show how it is working to address greenwashing. Find out more in PR Week.
Diary Dates:
On 29 November, Amanda will be part of a panel looking at law enforcement and digital engagement for the Secure Communities Forum discussion event. Find out more here.