We are all, of course, trying to navigate the unchartered waters of the COVID-19 crisis; we are living on a day-by-day news cycle as new information and statistics constantly come to hand. Now is the time for companies and brands to show what they stand for and what they believe in. This is where your values become very public.
Those who step up to the challenges we’re all confronted with and offer either a solution or a helping hand will not be forgotten, because consumers can see they are doing something with a purpose and not for a profit.
Take Coca-Cola in the Philippines for example, they put commercial advertising for Coca-Cola and all their other brands on hold and committed their advertising space and budgets towards supporting COVID-19 relief and response efforts across the most affected communities in the country. In their statement, Coca-Cola said they will re-channel PhP 150 million to the provision of protective equipment, beverages for health workers, deliver food packs to the most vulnerable families and they are also supporting small retailers affected by the crisis.
All business owners and leaders need to reassure their staff, customers, and suppliers throughout this crisis. They need to be present and reach out and ask what they can do for others. Instead of looking for sales, look for ways you can help. This kind of understanding and compassion will be reciprocated once the crisis passes, and it will pass eventually.
There’s not one business that is immune to the commercial and personal affects of the COVID-19 crisis, we are all in this together, so the more we all communicate, share information, and work towards ways to help each other the better positioned we will all be when we return to business as usual.
If you need some advice, please feel free to call us.
The Human & Digital Communications Agency
Our award-winning communications team blends human interactions & digital engagement seamlessly to produce results for brands.
