Dumb Ways to Die; Laughing our way to public health
Dumb ways to die; Laughing our way to public health
I recently stumbled upon a great example of how technology and digital media have come together. A PSA from Melbourne Metro (the mass transit carrier) used YouTube via the internet illustrating how PSA's can be effective by utilizing popular entertainment communication channels. This digital video launched November 2013 as a PSA to increase train safety, went viral and the video had 11 million views in 4 days (Lister, 2013). Riding the coattails of the successful PSA, a mobile phone game was launched in 2013. The game app spouts 10 million downloads and is played by achieving higher levels by keeping dumb characters safe, at each level you are encouraged to take the safety around trains pledge.
A new "Laugh Model" has been proposed for using social media for effectively targeting health promotion (Lister, 2013). A presentation at the National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media in 2013 suggests that creating health messages that will reach today's audience will need to incorporate an edutainment centered approach. The model suggests the following core ideas; motive replacement, health need assessment, product development, non-traditional partners, behavioral monitoring and sustainability (Lister, 2013). The presenters suggest this model will decrease the need for public funding for PSA's.
Reference
Lister, C. (2013, August). Laugh Model: Restructuring the Framework of Public Health in Social Media. In 2013 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media. CDC. Retrieved from https://cdc.confex.com/nphic/nphic13/webprogram/Paper33216.html
Hi, De'An, That's a very interesting PSA! I think it will catch the attention of some teens and twenty-somethings with its edginess. I think health promotion through social media is important and also has to keep up with the media campaigns produced by big corporations. Using the cartoons was a smart move in this PSA because the need for location shoots and actors is bypassed, but the content is still interesting. It will also appeal to younger adults who watch adult cartoons.
How very clever! I've seen the app in the app store but, honestly, it didn't make sense to me. This puts it in context. What a great opportunity for health educators to create something that goes viral and extend the life of the campaign! I love your blog!
A new "Laugh Model" has been proposed for using social media for effectively targeting health promotion (Lister, 2013). A presentation at the National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media in 2013 suggests that creating health messages that will reach today's audience will need to incorporate an edutainment centered approach. The model suggests the following core ideas; motive replacement, health need assessment, product development, non-traditional partners, behavioral monitoring and sustainability (Lister, 2013). The presenters suggest this model will decrease the need for public funding for PSA's.
Hi, De'An, That's a very interesting PSA! I think it will catch the attention of some teens and twenty-somethings with its edginess. I think health promotion through social media is important and also has to keep up with the media campaigns produced by big corporations. Using the cartoons was a smart move in this PSA because the need for location shoots and actors is bypassed, but the content is still interesting. It will also appeal to younger adults who watch adult cartoons.
ReplyDeleteHow very clever! I've seen the app in the app store but, honestly, it didn't make sense to me. This puts it in context. What a great opportunity for health educators to create something that goes viral and extend the life of the campaign! I love your blog!
ReplyDelete