More Bad Videos for Public Consumption
Last year, I listed Appalachian State University’s video as one of the worst recruiting videos that I’ve seen. Sadly, I’ve now found two more than can top that easily.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s recruitment video
Ernst & Young’s 4 minute recruiting video
Shame on Ernst and Young (!) – this video was not only baffling, but I can just imagine what the swaying staff in the background were thinking. It fails on both fronts – recruiting and retaining (would you want to stay at a company that quite possibly made it participation in this video mandatory? What do their annual retreats look like?).
As for the Pennsylvania video, words truly fail me on this one.
Disclaimer: If your communication vehicle is featured in one of my Cringe-worthy Moments, I apologize in advance and hope that boomerang karma leads you to unearth some of my old communication samples to return the favour.
Everyone’s a Graphic Designer
You know you have one in your department. If you’re truly unfortunate, you might have 3 or 4. Those keeners who, with creative downloading of MS Publisher or PageMaker or some Adobe product and a healthy dose of self-conceit, think that they have the talent to:
1. Create promotional posters or print materials for public consumption
2. Violate all rules around logo usage and font usage.
I don’t know what’s more tiring – being the Visual Guidelines Police or creating a plethora of documents outlining what is acceptable and what isn’t … and then hauling out the Guideline Bible whenever a line is crossed.
Yes, I understand that …
- Dear Joe font is fun and informal.
- Yes, I agree that the using Tahoma font in PowerPoint slides is clearer than using Arial.
- And, yes, I get that you want to express your creative freedom by using a speckled-colour email background with your email signature in cursive script so it’s less “corporate”.
But no, it’s not going to happen.
Please, have the sense to give professional graphic designers the credit they deserve. And, now, get back to your real job. Please.
Disclaimer: If your communication vehicle is featured in one of my Cringe-worthy Moments, I apologize in advance and hope that boomerang karma leads you to unearth some of my old communication samples to return the favour.
Cringe-worthy Moment 1: Why Not Everyone Should be a Video Producer
This will be the first of a series on my cybernet scans for “worst of” communication vehicles that leave me cringing.
Today’s example: a 2005 promotional video from Appalachian State University.
Key Learnings:
· Don’t entrust your promotional needs to someone who thinks they can tell your story, especially if it’s a Committee.
· Visuals have a long permanent shelf life – even though this video is no longer used, it lives on in infamy on YouTube.
· Early approval of catastrophes like this need to have consequences.
Find out more about what followed after protests of this video boiled to a conclusion.
Disclaimer: If your communication vehicle is featured in one of my Cringe-worthy Moments, I apologize in advance and hope that boomerang karma leads you to unearth some of my old communication samples to return the favour.
