See you in 2021!
Today, our team will be joining the legions of Christmas break out–of–office emailers and, we’ll be back to full-time hours on 4 January 2021. Thank you to all of our clients and partners for your support throughout an extraordinary year!
The many hurdles of 2020 have put a heavy demand on the UK’s support services, including social housing. Alongside the difficulties, the way housing comms teams have adapted to these challenges has been impressive – as we found in our #CovidComms survey in the Spring.
The importance of staying connected internally and with customers has never been more important than when we need to be apart. We’re proud to have supported some dynamic and heart-warming projects this year.
Comms campaigns of 2020
Speaking of which… On our recent annual team strategy day, the team shared some of our favourite campaigns, inside and outside the housing sector. In no particular order, here are the comms that caught our eye:
1. Gruffalo Social Distancing
The Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler shared some fun illustrations to lend a helping hand with children adapting to social distancing. Like many good children’s stories, I know it raised a smile with many parents too.
2. Doncaster Council Friends Reboot
Doncaster Council deserves a pat on the back for the best reaction we’ve seen to local fly-tipping.
We're excited to announce that Doncaster has been chosen as the location for a British remake of Friends. pic.twitter.com/SMXSAIpnqZ
— Doncaster Council (@MyDoncaster) December 4, 2020
“So no one told you life was gonna be this way.
Your seat’s got mould,
You’re cold.
You’re in an alleywaaaay“
– Twitter @MyDoncaster (04/12)
3. Starbucks #whatsyourname
Starbucks won the Channel 4 Diversity award for this #whatsyourname campaign. Using its practice of taking names for orders, Starbucks spotlighted the stories of trans people and the challenge of having their new names recognised. These adverts raised money for the charity Mermaids, which has been helping gender-diverse young people and their families since 1995.
4. Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s background of commitment to activism positioned them to strike the right chord during this year’s Black Lives Matter protests. They brought a bit of joy to customers with pun-filled social justice ice cream flavours, whilst still sending a strong message of their views and values with public statements and attending protests.
5. Be a good a**hole
Non-profit plastic pollution campaigning organisation, City to Sea took a stand against flushing wet wipes. Andy Serkis used his acting chops to voice an illustrated a**hole. Very minimalist, very attention-grabbing. This one may be easier to show than explain.
All of us at See Media wish you a safe Christmas and a good break to recharge for happier times ahead. We look forward to supporting everyone in #UKhousing and #housingcomms in 2021. Over and out!
Stuart Macdonald is Managing Director of See Media
