It is really hard to make a mark amid all the noise from digital platforms and social media
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No matter where people came from, they always reacted to humor, as it doesn’t only serve an entertaining role. Humor has also been connected to a “healthier, more positive image of self.” Its beneficial effect on the physical and psychological well-being was shown in countless sayings. The best one is perhaps “Laughter is the best medicine.” Its universal appeal and accessibility explains why comedy was the go-to genre in the early days of cinema. Thus it helped the fledgling art form find its wings and to ultimately become a defining feature of culture in the 20th century. The power of humor was also quickly recognized in the business world, where advertising grew increasingly creative with the advent of television. In the age of the internet, building a brand and a loyal customer base has become a challenging endeavor, and many businesses are finding an ally in humor, according to Nevan Donahue, a senior executive at Comedywire.com.
It is really hard to make a mark amid all the noise from digital platforms and social media, so the first task for any brand is to stand out by finding its own voice, as James Nevan Donahue notes. Humor has helped many companies differentiate themselves and thus create a lasting impression, especially in the case of startups attempting to break into crowded industries such as consumer goods and technology. According to psychologists, content presented in a humorous setting enhances memory recall, and brands perceived as funny are considered more relatable and trustworthy. In addition to being viewed as fundamental to establishing positive relationships, humor is also regarded as a critical ingredient of social media success as it boosts sharing and promotes engagement in a way no other marketing channel can.
Despite their enormous potential, humorous elements should be incorporated in brand-building campaigns only after careful consideration and the formulation of an appropriate strategy, Nevan Donahue points out. While comedy appeals to young and old alike, demographics would determine the response of the target audience to a particular joke, meaning that something an 18-year-old finds funny might not appear so to a 40-year-old, so exhaustive research needs to be conducted. Moreover, certain topics could be sensitive or controversial, and the short-term benefits of shock value might not be worth the long-term associations with the brand name. Last but not least, the ideas and material need to be carefully curated and tested since being consistently funny is a massive challenge even for brands deemed hugely successful at incorporating comedy in their campaigns.
Nevan Donahue oversees strategy and business development at Comedywire.com – a collective of writers catering to the needs of marketers, brands, and individuals. Tapping into the creative power of more than 7,500 content producers, the online social comedy platform provides original ideas in real time, helping clients meet the specific demands of communication in the digital age. James Nevan Donahue and his wife, Sarah Berner, are the founders of The Real Senior Prom – a service specialized in organizing dance parties at senior homes, centers, and residences. Outside of work, he is an ardent supporter of environmental causes, most notably ocean conservation, and is a board member at Blue Sphere Foundation.
Nevan Donahue – Head of Strategy and Business Development at ComedyWire.com: http://www.NevanDonahueNews.com
James Nevan Donahue (@james_n_donahue) – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james_n_donahue/
James N. Donahue – Head of Strategy and Business Development at Comedywire.com – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-n-donahue/
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