Communicate with Content; Demonstrate an Idea

As mentioned in Sophie’s post last week on the 1 Minute to Save the World competition, a few of the Hub TV team took part in filming and editing a short video on saving the world from climate change within a minute. It’s a touch tongue in cheek.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vVbiMMtgAg]

This concept of saving the world in such a short space of time was a source of debate amongst the team. Suggestions that it’s improbable and naive to think that damage created by global warming can be undone within a minute-long video requesting behavioural change. While everyone agreed that campaigning for both individual and corporate environmental responsibility is essential in the efforts to reduce the impact of environmental damage, there was scepticism upon the idea that this can be achieved within a minute.

Agreement was reached upon the effectiveness of using video to construct, demonstrate and share a message in an engaging and digestible format. The online distribution of these video entries accumulates into a greater awareness of the cause, with users viewing, commenting and sharing thought provoking and entertaining entries. This is where the bite-sized, one minute video can highlight an organisation’s work and allow online networks to spread their message.

It’s with this method that we’re currently assisting the Asset Transfer Unit on their video project; Building Community. The project is designed as an informative resource on the transfer of council-owned  land and buildings assets to community organisations though videos documenting the journeys of current asset transfer projects throughout the UK.

Not only do the various videos demonstrate the hurdles that are often encountered during an asset transfer but they also capture the tremendous progress made by the councils and community organisations as they meet and overcome these issues throughout the process. The video updates of these projects as well as promotion of asset transfer itself was facilitated with the creation and use of dedicated social media channels, improving the reach and awareness of both the videos and the Asset Transfer Unit.

This use of quality video content married with communicative social channels can be so effective in the spreading of an idea, brand or message. Many organisations are using this format to generate their own presence, the impact of the 1 Minute to Save the World will be an interesting one to follow within both the environmental sustainability circles and the larger online community.