Spread More Joy: LO:LA's Nick Platt

"Joy helps us to see the world in a more positive light, and to tackle our problems with renewed energy and optimism."

By Nick Platt

In today’s fast-paced world, people are constantly bombarded with negative news, stress, and anxiety. As a result, creating moments of joy and happiness has become more important than ever. This is where brands can step in and make a difference by creating joy with their marketing.

Marketing is not just about selling a product; it’s about creating an emotional connection with the consumer. When a brand creates joy and happiness, it’s creating an emotional connection with the consumer that goes beyond the product itself. This connection can lead to increased loyalty and a more positive perception of the brand, which can ultimately result in higher sales.

Now, some may argue that joy is a luxury we cannot afford in times of crisis. But I say that joy is not a luxury, but a necessity. When we experience joy, we are more resilient, more creative, and more connected to one another. Joy helps us to see the world in a more positive light, and to tackle our problems with renewed energy and optimism.

So, what does it mean to create joy with marketing? It means going beyond the traditional approach of highlighting the features and benefits of a product and instead focusing on the emotional benefits that the product can provide. For example, a car company could market its product as a way to create happy memories with family and friends, rather than just highlighting its fuel efficiency and safety features.

Create a culture of empathy and kindness.

In order to prioritize joy, we must also prioritize empathy and kindness. These values are essential for building strong, healthy communities where individuals feel valued and supported. We must cultivate a culture where people feel empowered to extend compassion and kindness to one another, without fear of judgement or ridicule. This can be done through programs that promote volunteerism, community service, and acts of kindness.

Read More: Optimism and Kindness

Brands can also create joy with their marketing by focusing on experiences rather than just products. For example, Airbnb’s “Live There” campaign focused on the experience of traveling and exploring new places, rather than just the accommodations. The campaign featured videos of people exploring different cities and experiencing the local culture, showcasing the unique experiences that Airbnb can provide. The campaign created a lot of buzz and positive feedback, resulting in increased bookings for Airbnb.

Creating joy with marketing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, the simplest things can create the most joy. For example, Oreo’s social media campaign, “Oreo Daily Twist,” was a huge success because it was simple and fun. The campaign featured an Oreo cookie with a different design every day, based on current events or holidays. The campaign created a lot of buzz and engagement on social media, resulting in increased sales for Oreo.

A brand’s obligation to create joy with its marketing goes beyond just selling a product. By creating moments of joy and happiness, brands can create a deeper emotional connection with consumers, break down barriers, and contribute to a more positive society. Whether it’s through humor, storytelling, positive messages, or experiences, brands have the power to create joy and make a difference in people’s lives. So, let’s spread joy wherever we can, and create marketing that brings a smile to people’s faces.

Some may ask: how can we afford to focus on joy when we have so many pressing issues to address, such as climate change, inequality, and political polarization? To that, I say that joy is not a distraction from these issues, but a way to address them. When we create moments of joy and happiness, we build the social cohesion and trust that are necessary for addressing these challenges. And when we prioritize joy, we create a society that is more just, more sustainable, and more compassionate.

In conclusion, I believe that joy is not a luxury, but a necessity. As a nation, we have a responsibility to create moments of joy and happiness for ourselves and for one another. By making joy a priority in our actions, we can build a society that is more resilient, more creative, and more connected. So, let us embrace joy, and let us work together to create a more joyful and compassionate communications for all.

Read More and Join in: Celebrate Joy and Optimism

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