Laughter Means You've Got Their Attention

A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin American

Laughter Means You've Got Their Attention

Serious issues must be taken seriously. But that doesn't mean humor can't be used to help gain attention and improve communication about those issues.

When I take part in corporate meetings, the events are generally dealing with some very serious issues. Some people think I'm there to "lighten things up." But in reality I'm there to:

• Grab the audience's attention.
• Gain some smiles and credibility at the company's and executives' expense to demonstrate that I'm on the side of those in the audience.
• Ask poignant questions of company executives that audience members would love to have the nerve and opportunity to ask.
• Repeat, make clear and sometimes simplify key corporate stances, goals and reasoning.
• Eventually display a better understanding of issues and answers ... (if a puppet finally gets it, those in the audience should have a better understanding as well.)

Certainly there's some humor involved (at least there's supposed to be). But the humor is primarily used to gain interest and to help to make the serious messages more understandable and more memorable.  We don't make fun of the problems.  Serious issues are always dealt with seriously.

Humor is a communications tool. But is there ever a time when humor is not appropriate? You tell me.

The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence and their ad agency Y&R Chicago are using humor to shock Windy City residents and raise gun violence awareness. So far this year more than 150 kids have been shot in Chicago ... over 25 of them dead, according to the ICHV.

The ad copy reads:  "The vest fits snug, while leaving arms and hands free to raise in the air for that "don't shoot, I'm innocent" stance."

A second ad in the campaign features two young girls in vests with the headline "Alive On Arrival," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. the copy for that ad is even funnier/cringe-ier: "Whether it's just a bit chilly or raining bullets, this cozy vest is sure to protect your child from all the elements."

The posters have gone up at 50 bus shelters around the city. They will certainly raise gun violence awareness ... but I doubt they'll lower gun violence. They may increase the sale of size-small bullet-proof vests, though. Image: Chicago Sun-Times

Another Mc D's Interactive Billboard

Here's a clever interactive billboard game from McDonald's (Stockholm). Pictures of menu items bounce and fly across the screen. If you're quick enough to capture a menu item in a cell-phone pic, the item is yours free at a nearby McDonald's. You know people will stop and try to win some free food. And they'll tell their friends about the experience. Brilliant.

Reading is Going to Become Much More than Just "Reading"

If you're one of those who are wondering how reading and the publishing industry will be affected by the new iPad, check out this iPad version of Alice in Wonderland. Reading is going to go to a whole new level ... and may get more fun.

Photoshopping Makes the Impossible Appear Real

There are countless articles on the pro's and con's of photo-shopping images to help make models and celebrities appear better looking than they really are. As an example, the photo of Madonna on the left shows her as she really looks. The photo-shopped image on the right gives her a younger, more attractive persona.

Personally I don't care because I just assume that every photo in every publication is photo-shopped to the hilt; removing all reality and inserting romantic optimism or not too well-disguised product attributes.

The problem arises when naive people view photos at their face value and put some trust or belief in the images. Should we offer some protection for those individuals? Do photos need to come with "warnings?" "Caution, this photo may be enhanced to make you think this person or product is better looking or more effective than they really are."  It's too big of a question for a simple Mannequin American like me.

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

Really? Am I supposed to believe that the manufacturer of this squirt gun never saw anything remotely wrong with the design?  On the other hand, this would make the best Christmas gift ever.

Long Intro for "Nothin' Up My Sleeve" DVD

A DVD of the 2010 Nothin' Up My Sleeve Variety Show will soon be available. You can click here to see a 3 minute intro to the video which includes a clip of Dale with Louie the Jockey. (If I find out who decided to put Louie in the intro instead of me, heads will roll! Seriously ... I can roll my head.)