Event Planning Lesson Courtesy A State Senator?
Alright, we’ve been celebrating our 12th Telly Award all week by looking back on past winners for some good production lessons. Today’s the day we unveil this year’s winner and offer some insights for event planning.
Drum roll, please. Our 2013 Telly Award winner is… Heroin Abuse Awareness Seminar for Illinois State Sen. Matt Murphy!
Hugh!?
I know, you’re thinking… Tony, your videos always tend to be upbeat, happy and inspirational… what gives?
Well, call it a change of pace if you like, but this video is actually a classic example of what an event video can do.
Multiplying Your Audience
Sen. Murphy was hosting a pair of seminars in his district just outside Chicago to highlight an important issue facing his constituents, suburban heroin abuse. He brought together law enforcement officials, addiction experts and family members of addicts to give parents a wake-up call.
Certainly a worthy effort, but he knew the seminars would only draw a few hundred people. He represents tens of thousands and wanted to be able to get this message out to as many of them as possible.
Enter video. He asked for a short story highlighting the major points… something that would leave an impression on viewers. Once it was produced, he and the Illinois Senate Republicans used their social networks to share the video with constituents (VIDEO BELOW).
Put aside politics, and instead, examine that through your PR and marketing lens. They took an event attended by hundreds and turned it into something that could impact thousands.
That’s why PR, marketing and event planning pros need a new line item in every significant event they put on… video budget.
–Tony Gnau
Tony Gnau is a three-time Emmy-winning journalist. He is also the founder and chief storytelling officer at T60 Productions. T60 has won 11 Telly Awards for its work over the last eight years.
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