Audio and Mental Health
Henry Clark
Sr. Manager Account-Based Marketing & Campaigns @ SecurityHQ | MLitt, BA, Content Production
Mental Health is and has been a global issue for as long as I can remember.
(Probably way before that too).
What’s amazing now is that there are a number of people taking notice of it. This has resulted in a swell of action to combat the issue.
These actions are varied, in short: long standing stalwarts like the Samaritans continue to plug away, ever more important.
More and more mental health stories pop up on our silver screen: Sky One’s newest comedy ‘Brassic’ (which is brilliantly funny, by the way) centres around our main character, Vinnie who suffers from bipolar disorder.
But what is the role of audio in all of this?
Audio is arguably the most effective form of media in tackling the heavy weight of mental illness, and has proved a powerful tool in raising awareness.
This can be seen by looking at any conscious artist releasing music today. Dave, the rapper, just won a mercury prize for an album framed as a therapy session.
The power of audio is also seen in the radio campaign ‘#MentalHealthMinute’ from Princes Harry and William’s charity ‘Heads Together’. Launched during this year’s Mental Health Awareness week, the campaign focuses on the power of listening. Really listening.
Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=64&v=9bRI6iW2VIg
Immediately, the ad starts by engaging directly with the listener, with Alesha Dixon tricking your ear into getting a simple question wrong, demonstrating the limitations of half-listening.
Then you’re listening.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to set aside one minute to really listen to anyone: “it could really make a difference”.
And the campaign is effective.
The ad perfectly shows the power of audio. The ad persuades you to engage in listening, by making you hear.
It’s inescapable and powerful.
And you don’t need a princely voice-over to achieve this effect.
Henry Clark
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