Translating Facts to Emotion
Newsletter #94
This Week:
A Story That Got Us Right in the Feels
ICYMI: Is it the End of the Year Already?
Spotted
Before We Go…
1. Make ‘Em Cry: CBC’s Impactful Storytelling
Thirty years ago, Dr. Lori West, an American-Canadian pediatric cardiologist, made a groundbreaking discovery: unlike adults, babies can receive organ transplants from donors with different blood types.
Recently, The National – the flagship program of CBC News in Canada – revisited the anniversary of that discovery. But they didn’t just report on it. They told it.
Instead of a formal sit-down interview filled with data and medical jargon, the team invited Dr. West for what she thought would be a typical conversation. When she arrived, she was met instead by a coffee shop full of people whose lives had been touched by her work.
It’s a beautiful moment: heartfelt, surprising, and deeply human.
2. ICYMI: Your Best Content is Already Written
It’s Halloween week, so we’re going to drop something spooky on you: it’s the last week of October. We’re officially in end-of-the-year territory. *Cue panic*
As you begin to work on closing out your year, it’s a good time to do a sweep through your communications toolkit. We think of it as decluttering. You’re essentially sweeping out what doesn’t work and putting what’s serving you well front and center.
Here’s a checklist to help you get started.
3. Spotted
Have lemons? Make lemonade. That’s what German company Bocker did when the bucket-ladder they produce was used in a jewel heist at the Louvre last week.
Marketers at Bocker licensed a photo from the crime scene and circulated an ad poking fun at the incident, showcasing how effective their product is at moving quickly and quietly.
Bravo.
4. Before We Go…
From Bored Panda: Stealing is not funny…but these memes are.
The Louvre lost valuable items in a heist, so here are the 15 funniest memes from the news.
From MSN: Research shows a path to happiness with…clarity.
A 6-year research project found a surprisingly simple route to happiness
“…the surest path to happiness for many of us could be as simple as this: Stop trying to be happy — and start figuring out how to make other people happy."
How do you rate this newsletter? (6,7?)
At Jim Fogarty’s 80th birthday dinner at La Casa in Omaha on Thursday, Erin’s niece and nephews rated the dinner a “6,7” and then laughed. Erin quickly realized this is another meme she needs to understand. After some tutorials, even the grandparents were in on it. But here’s the catch: it is purposefully vague. So, to understand you need to understand it is not to be understood. Get it? Happy birthday Papa Fonz, a most loyal reader!
You know what would bring a tear to our eye? If you send this newsletter to 6 or 7 colleagues or friends.