CPR Promotional Check-Up - Mar 18, 2021

COVID Remembrance Day

I’m of the age that I remember when things like quilts and other memorials to people who had passed from AIDS began to happen in 1986, just a few years into the crisis. By that point people had begun to shake off the shock and wanted to remember friends and family who’d been lost but also to shine a giant spotlight on the battle ahead.

Back in December there were the beginnings of memorials and tributes. High schoolers in Atlanta doing a candlelight vigil. A row of signs with names and faces in Detroit. Hospital staff hold candlelight vigil for patients, coworkers lost to COVID-19 (nbcnews.com)

When I started this job I inherited something called Stop The Violence Day that had begun at WPGC in DC. I think there were eight stations my first year and it peaked at 85. And every station could use it as a way to address community issues. “Gang violence” as a topic on KUBE in Seattle wasn’t going to fly so it was their platform for “stay in school” messaging.

I think “Remembrance” can be about remembering to get vaccinated. The medical community would enthusiastically get behind that. It can be about remembering the heroes who have been there for us and of course it can be about remembering the people we’ve lost. Great radio stations become platforms for their listeners to do that.

So, go to cpr-promotions.com/covid-remembrance-day and download the “starter kit” of ideas that you can use to get your plans started. And these aren’t dictates. Dictates suck. Whatever you choose to do will be the right choice. So is choosing not to do something. Maybe it’s not right for your brand.

And then let me know if you think this is something you’re thinking about being a part of. With Stop The Violence there was a separate ‘blast to participating stations with updates and resources and who is doing what and who could need some help with it.

I’ve already got a verbal commitment for a “ton of free masks” for a vendor. So that will get worked into the mix.

Benztown along with MannGroup Radio and P1 Media is one of the partners and will be helping with imaging.

Radio has done a good job in a horrible situation. This feels like the next step in the process.