So here we
are in 2020, and the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is surpassing 100,00
infected cases… the WHO team is traveling to country after country to
supports so many countries and their responses.
And what
does the public do here in Australia?
Buy Toilet
paper..
According
to media outlets…the public panic-buying is putting pressure on Australian
factories to operate 24 hours a day to keep up with demand.
Supermarkets
are imposing quantity limits on toilet paper packs to ensure more customers
have access.
It seems online
delivery services are out of stock as well with Who gives a crap Co-founder
Simon who reported an 800% boost in sales in early March ..( twitter tweet March
3 2020 ) and there are many groups of Aussies vulnerable who can’t afford to
buy in bulk affected by the lack of toilet tissue on the shelves..
some reports
of older people going to four supermarkets before kind-hearted neighbours
helping them out via social media groups.
But what
has been happening online is very interesting in the number of memes and jokes
that have been created.
Many are
calling it #toiletpapergate.
From hiked
up costs per roll, to everything being used as a mask, to creative DIY options
to minimise risk and or exposure mentions in advertising to motivate people to
wash hands-on TikTok, and even a new way of shaking hands using your feet…so it
seems TP and cleaning your hands are being used together possibly to showcase
the stupidity of the panic buying.
Some of the memes have been pure gold and have stirred up both sides of the for and against using humour to get messages out including prevention of spreading the virus and or to be part of the disparaging joking that is going on.
Some of the memes have been pure gold and have stirred up both sides of the for and against using humour to get messages out including prevention of spreading the virus and or to be part of the disparaging joking that is going on.
Many are
questioning the blackness of the humour, is it too soon? From the people are
dying - this is serious crew to the individuals who keep on making jokes and
memes to somehow appease the rising anxiety of it all and encourage that whole distortion
that occurs when people don’t fact check.
Global Brands
like Virgin (https://www.airlineratings.com/news/toilet-paper-available-virgin-australia-flights/ ) and local brands like the Brighton Savoy (https://www.5why.com.au/toiletpaperemergency-is-trending-on-twitter-and-now-the-world-knows-how-stupid-we-are/ )
and GAP (https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundAdoptionProgramVIC/ ) on March 4 have used it to their advantage.
and GAP (https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundAdoptionProgramVIC/ ) on March 4 have used it to their advantage.
Giveaways with usually saleable items now enhanced with a freeroll.
Talk about leveraging a social happening that is currently topical.
In the back
ground other brands like WIRED are questing it,
( https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-memes-humor/ ) is it ok to use a virus to ensure you are in front of mind with your clients and or followers?
( https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-memes-humor/ ) is it ok to use a virus to ensure you are in front of mind with your clients and or followers?
So if you are
going to do it….do it with great humor and respect….
Social Media Examiner
suggests “ If you don’t think a meme you’ve created is funny, interesting, or
insightful, your customers probably won’t either.
“ ( https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-use-memes-guide-for-marketers/ )
“ ( https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-use-memes-guide-for-marketers/ )
Funny
enough I don’t see many giving away hand sanitiser or any memes for that… ill
guess I’ll just wait.
Need assistance with your marketing - sam@samhicks.com.au