Dance is the word

Is it just me or is dance everywhere at the moment?  It seems like the Strictly glitter ball has barely stopped spinning before a further two dance talent reality shows hit our screens.

The first, Got to Dance, is judged by a Pussycat Doll, a tap supreme (who I actually remember from the film Coyote Ugly!) and newly discovered Britain’s Got Talent, talent, Ashley Banjo.

The second, So You Think You Can Dance, has come over from the US and features judges Nigel Lythogoe (last seen judging popstars) Louise Redknapp and dance yoda Arlene Phillips.

That’s in addition to Dancing on Ice and dance professional Camilla Dallerup gracing our TV screens every morning on GMTV to get the nation fit through dance.

Whilst some may think this is over the top and “dumbing down” of what is one of the most beautiful artforms, I personally think its great news for the arts.  Dance, which for so long has been perceived as an elitist artform, is now being viewed as prime time entertainment by millions of people.  If this interest and focus on dance creates new audiences, or inspires people to participate in dance, then I’m all for it.

Someone in the dance world once told me that everyone has the ability to dance; you just have to find the dance that suits you.  I’m now eagerly watching these shows to see if a new dance style emerges which will suit someone with two left feet, no musicality and timing issues – fingers crossed!

Arts means Business

Being a trained communications marketer I understand advertising.  I mean I know it’s annoying how, just when they are about to reveal the winner of the X Factor, they cut to a commercial break, but I also know that advertising done well really does work.  What I’ve never done though is liked advertising….that is until now.

I, like many other people, am of course raving about the new T-mobile advert set in London’s Liverpool Street Station.  If you haven’t seen it click here to see the full ad on youtube.  It’s a brilliant and amazing concept which features 350 dancers, including four T-Mobile staff, suddenly breaking into choreographed ‘guerrilla style’ dancing to a number of music tracks, whilst being filmed by 10 hidden cameras to capture people’s reactions.

I’ve questioned why I love this advert so much and think it is a combination of things.  Firstly it’s that you see how art brought to the masses in an inventive and inspiring way can engage and motivate people to participate. I particularly love a section of the advert when an elderly lady carrying shopping bags is encouraged by the dancers to shake her stuff to “Do you love me – I can mash potato” from Dirty Dancing, fantastic!

Secondly its how art brings people together and breaks down barriers.  We found this with The Big Picture when people throughout the West Midlands shared over 112,000 photos and the stories behind them.  As a nation we don’t talk, let alone dance, with strangers, particularly in a major London train station, but that’s exactly what this experiment showed; people chatting and joining together to share an amazing experience.

Finally on a business level I’m thrilled that the arts is being recognised and used as a way for businesses to connect with their customers and prospects.  For so long now it’s been a hard sell to get organisations to realise the value the arts has commercially, but it seems the message is gradually sinking in and this high profile example (which must have already paid for itself in editorial coverage) can only help inspire more businesses to do the same.  

Some may call it a gimmick but whatever the motivations, I personally feel that anything which raises the profile of the arts in such a creative and positive way (to date over 200,000 people have watched the video on youtube) can only be a good thing.

Christmas, a time for writing cards to dogs?

Last night I sat until nearly midnight writing Christmas cards to family (including those I live with), friends, neighbours, the people in the post office, 20 or so two year olds who can’t read yet, 2 dogs and a partridge in a pear tree!

I love Christmas but for the first time ever I wondered why I was doing this.  Is this still a way to tell people you are thinking of them at this special time of year or is it now just something we feel like we have to do, I’m not sure anymore.

I’ve done my home ones but still have to deal with Smarty Pants cards.  In times of economic uncertainty should I send Christmas cards to all my clients and contacts?  The communications marketer in me says absolutely as it is more important than ever to remind people you are still around and in business, but the other little voice in my head, the one who will have to write them all, isn’t so sure.

And then there is the debate about whether you do printed cards or e-cards.  I personally feel there is something nice about getting things through the post, even if they do arrive in January, and seeing that someone has taken the time to pick up a pen and write their name.  I know a lot of digital and environmental people feel the e-card is the way to go so would they be alienated with a printed one?

Whatever I do I’ll have to decide soon, only 8 working days to go until Christmas.  Then I’ll have other things to worry about like turkey, wrapping paper, Christmas pudding……………………………………………

Little is the new big

Since the end of my latest project, The Big Picture, which took over my life for almost a year, I’ve been busy getting my own marketing material created so I can practice what I preach!

I’ve been working with Birmingham design agency Supercool to produce some really fresh and exciting new material, including this website.  I can’t believe how difficult it is to create your own marketing material when producing collateral for other people is relatively easy.  I understand so much more about clients now and why amends made for the fifth time are so important.  I only hope that Katie and James at Supercool are still speaking to me!

I think all the hard work has paid off though as we’ve just produced a “little peek” booklet which gives an insight into The Big Picture and the work I did managing this ground breaking arts project.  I’m thrilled with my little booklet and judging by the comments I’ve received, other people really like it too.  If you would like a copy of “little peek” please get in touch.

You can also download a PDF (492kb) here.