Here’s a brand new online event you’ll love - The Power of Social for Good - celebrating, inspiring & conversing with public sector comms stars with a little help from Dr Alex George...

by Jen Morris

It’s hard to exaggerate the impact that Covid-19 has had on digital engagement. The world as we knew it changed in what felt like the blink of an eye, crisis communication strategies faced the ultimate stress test and many organisations were forced to execute on their digital transformation strategies almost overnight. Research shows that global social media users increased to almost 4.2 billion at the start of 2021, up 13% year on year. With digital channels now the preferred method of contact for many, the pressure for Public Sector bodies to deliver time and cost efficient comms has never been greater.

And in recent years, we’ve all witnessed the positive impact simple acts of kindness can have and seen social media become an ever more important part of many organisations’ comms strategy. But have you ever stopped to think about the power that the two of these can have, side by side as part of your wider audience and citizen engagement activities?

As we begin planning for the ‘newest normal’, we’ve put together this brand new event, aimed at public sector comms professionals to take stock, regroup and reflect on what’s been a difficult year for many, as well as bring you some good news stories from the public sector and take a closer look at the role social media had to play in them.

Alongside the transformation of comms strategies, we must not forget the importance of maintaining the mental health of comms professionals who, let's face it, are often on the front line when it comes to dealing with the hard hitting stories and news that they are tasked with effectively communicating to their audience. In the fast-paced comms world, it’s easy to get burnt out, so we’ll be addressing the significance of maintaining and raising awareness of well-being amongst comms professionals.

Guest speaker Dr Alex George, A&E & TV doctor and Youth Mental Health Ambassador (and of Love Island fame!), has been working in A&E as an emergency doctor throughout the pandemic and has become a well known and respected figure amongst healthcare professionals and the general public alike - bringing the nation accessible and reassuring advice. As part of both his day job as a doctor and his presence on social media as an influencer, Alex is on a mission to make mental health education compulsory in schools, and has become prolific in his campaigning with charities such as YoungMinds, Anna Freud Centre and Mind. Alex will be sharing his own insights into the pressures on mental health and the recent shift in awareness around the topic.

The event will touch upon the results of this year’s Public Sector Approach to Digital Engagement Survey, which saw Orlo join forces with comms2point0 and Microsoft to survey over 200 comms professionals from right across the public sector, providing you with insight into the sector’s current challenges and priorities and delivering inspiration to develop your comms plan.

And with all this in mind, who better than two fantastic local government comms heroes themselves to share their own personal perspectives and experiences. Jack Wickenden-Showell, Senior Digital Comms Officer at Horsham District Council and Victoria Nickless, Media and Communications Manager at Reading Borough Council will bring you real-world examples, approaches and lessons learned to help inspire your own future comms strategies.

We’ll be rounding off the session by getting all of our speakers involved in a good old chinwag, giving attendees the opportunity to put forward those burning questions and pick the brains of those in the know!

Come and join Orlo, alongside Dr Alex George, Darren Caveney creator of comms2point0 and representatives from Horsham District Council and Reading Borough Council on the 17th of June at 3pm, as we bring you 1 hour and 45 minutes of celebration, inspiration and conversation. Click here to reserve your place now!

Jen Morris is head of marketing at Orlo. You can say hello on Twitter at @HelloOrlo

image via Mobilus in Mobili