Content marketing pegs to drive conversations for November 2018
How you shouldn’t describe November:
- ‘Second-last month of the year’
- ‘October’s sidekick that carries forward festivities begun by it’
- ‘Follows the October holidays and lays the carpet for December celebrations… it’s neither here nor there’
How you should describe November:
- ‘Perfect weather for countrywide travel’
- ‘High point of the festive season’
- ‘A marketer’s goldmine’
Now hurry and get those creative juices flowing!
1. World Vegan Day, 1st Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Post-festival vegan meals for a complete body detox
Infographic idea: Best vegan substitutes for dairy products
Listicle idea: X Common myths about veganism you should stop believing
Podcast idea: Why veganism can save the world
Brand campaigns that worked:
Vegan campaigns are often powered by the busting of myths regarding the cause.
Consider this campaign by Veganuary, a charity that encourages people to go vegan in January.
The campaign was crowd-funded and undertook a number of initiatives to include flash performances and OOH advertising on the London Underground; it featured three adorable animals: Rocky the calf, Little Eric the chick, and Ernie the piglet.
Go Vegan World, a campaign in Ireland by a charity called Eden Farmed Animal, attempted to expose the reality of the animal food production industry. Examples such as ‘Humane milk is a myth’ were used to drive home the point.
2. National Entrepreneur’s Day, 6th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Tips for your startup investment pitch
Infographic idea: X Gifts your entrepreneur buddies will truly appreciate
Listicle idea: These X habits will ensure that your employees stay happy
Podcast idea: How successful entrepreneurs overcome obstacles
Brand campaign that worked:
While not created for National Entrepreneur’s Day, Microsoft’s #MakeWhatsNext campaign nevertheless fits well within the theme. On being asked to recall inventors, a group of young girls were only able to name male innovators, thereby reflecting the limited scope of our educational curricula.
The video then proceeded to name female inventors who have contributed some of the most diverse creations to society.
Microsoft’s campaign simultaneously integrated the brand with an integral social message about professional disparities.
3. World Freedom Day, 9th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Technological inventions that have increased personal freedom
Infographic idea: X Works of art that portray freedom in its purest form
Article idea: Freedom rights every citizen must know about
Podcast idea: How the idea of freedom has evolved for the transgender community
Brand campaigns that worked:
PHD Bikes and Harley Davidson’s print advertising campaign won two Gold Lions. The campaign designed by Y&R Prague, used historical trivia wherein Czech riders dismantled their bikes and hid them to avoid the Nazis using them for their war effort.
A series of black-and-white pictures showed Nazi soldiers rummaging through households with little success. Here’s an example:
The theme of freedom that would ultimately prevail linked the spirit of motorcycling, Harley Davidson as a brand, and the Czech yearning to defeat the Germans.
A very different campaign titled #DilSeAzad by Blush raised awareness about freedom from a number of social taboos in India. It touched upon issues of sexuality, child abuse, drug use, freedom of choice, women’s safety etc. to reinforce the spirit of freedom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W4VKwmtYqk&feature=youtu.be
4. World Science Day for Peace and Development, 10th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Science museums across the world that you wouldn’t believe exist
Infographic idea: Apps that can help you keep calm throughout the day
Quiz idea: Can you pass this 8th grade science quiz? Find out now
Podcast idea: How you can bring about social change in your community
5. National Education Day, 11th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Parents’ guide to saving for their children’s future
Infographic idea: X Most sought after courses in India
Listicle idea: X Places where the literacy rate continues to remain high
Podcast idea: Why the Indian education system still holds potential for change
Brand campaigns that worked:
Samsung promoted the cause of education through a campaign for the empowerment of the girl child.
The video commences with the birth of the third girl in a family, following which the disappointed father decides to treat his daughters as sons. He sends the youngest to an industrial training institute supported by Samsung, against the wishes of his brother.
Eventually, when the girl saves a family function by making electrical repairs; her ability is not only acknowledged, but her father also accepts her for who she is – an empowered girl.
To seek support for the education of Filipino children, UNICEF’s campaign showed the challenging daily routine of a child going to school.
This included the journey made across a water body, through fields, and dusty tracks. The video stressed that many children have to travel long distances merely to go to school.
6. World Pneumonia Day, 12th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Food recipes to keep your lungs healthy
Infographic idea: Ways in which the elderly can prevent getting pneumonia
Listicle idea: X Vaccinations that an infant needs to be given in the first 6 months
Podcast idea: Why has the occurrence of pneumonia increased in the last 10 years?
Brand campaigns that worked:
The American Lung Association commenced a campaign called Fight for Air Climb in association with Pfizer. These were hosted in prominent skyscrapers across the nation and challenged people aged 50 and above to walk or run up hundreds of stairs with their younger counterparts. This competitive environment was used to spread awareness about pneumococcal pneumonia.
Lifebuoy’s campaign focused on a different target audience. It showed a father walking on his hands from his house till a distant temple to thank the local deity. The occasion: his son was his first child to reach the age of 5.
The campaign endorses the message that a simple act of washing hands can save children from diarrhoea and pneumonia.
7. World Kindness Day, 13th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: How being kind can ensure good mental health
Infographic idea: X Reasons why kind people are more likely to succeed in life
Listicle idea: X Random acts of kindness that make you a good person
Podcast idea: Why moral education should be a part of every school’s curriculum
Brand campaign that worked:
West Jet, a Canadian airline, came up with an innovative Christmas Miracle campaign. This involved giving personalised gifts to unsuspecting travellers.
The video capturing the same went viral and was viewed by over 40 million. It also helped increase sales by 86%.
8. World Diabetes Day, 14th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Delicious diabetes-friendly recipes to try at home
Infographic idea: How to know if you are suffering from hypertension
Article idea: X Early signs of diabetes that you shouldn’t ignore
Podcast idea: Is your financial planning prepared for lifestyle diseases?
Brand campaigns that worked:
The medical challenges posed by diabetes were creatively highlighted by a number of companies.
Diabetes SA’s campaign explained that an increasing waistline indicated an increased risk of diabetes.
An innovative campaign by doihaveprediabetes.org came up with a simple one minute video that highlighted the risks that are considered pre-diabetic. Each risk was given a numerical value, and if an individual had a total of more than five, the risk became evident.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s020q-FE0H4
Healthcare brand Dr Lal Path Labs regularly shares blog pieces that are aimed at informing the general public.
For Diabetes Alert Day, Scatter helped them create and distribute an insightful, eye-catching infographic on the 5 tests that can help diagnose diabetes.
Now let the numbers do the talking:
(Source: Buzzsumo)
(Source: Buzzsumo)
9. Children’s Day, 14th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Healthy breakfast recipes that will keep your young ones happy
Infographic idea: Movies you need to watch with your kids
Listicle idea: X Fun places you must take your kids to
Podcast idea: How technological innovations have increased the scope of education
Brand campaigns that worked:
Vistara, an Indian domestic airline, created a campaign that captured the innocent curiosity of children who flew the Vistara YoungStar.
Apollo Hospitals Delhi took Children’s Day as an opportunity to inform parents about the lifestyle their children should ideally follow, through an image campaign.
(Source)
Now let the numbers do the talking:
(Source: Buzzsumo)
10. International Day for Tolerance, 16th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Here’s why it’s time we openly accept cross-cultural marriages
Infographic idea: X Instances of progressive thinking in the fashion industry
Article idea: X Invaluable ideas of tolerance propagated by historical figures
Podcast idea: Does value education at school have the potential to encourage tolerance?
Brand campaigns that worked:
‘Labels are for cans, not people.’
Coca-Cola found a clever way to incorporate their product within a timely social message delivered around the time of Ramadan. Targeted at the Middle East, an area with 200+ nationalities, the video campaign shot a group of men who sat in the dark discussing their interests and hobbies.
They simultaneously made guesses about what the other looked like on the basis of their backgrounds. The moment of revelation came when the lights were turned on, and all notions about the other’s physical appearance were proven wrong.
In the spirit of charity encouraged during Ramadan, the advertisement wasn’t run on television and only uploaded on social media; the millions saved were used to help underprivileged villages in Egypt.
Beer brand Heineken built a campaign on a similar principle. It paired people with opposing political views and asked them to help each other with different tasks. With no knowledge of the other’s political opinion, each pair got to know the other through meaningful conversations about their lives.
On finding out that they were at odds, all individuals were given a choice to either walk out or calmly discuss their difference of opinion. All of them chose to do the latter, thereby proving successful Heineken’s marketing initiative.
11. World Philosophy Day, 16th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Quotes that will inspire you to sail through every difficult situation
Infographic idea: Courses to pursue if you want to specialise in different types of philosophy
Article idea: Authors who redefined philosophy through their books
Podcast idea: How philosophy serves as the backbone of judicial principles
Brand campaign that worked:
Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas put out a video campaign for the Chinese New Year that urged viewers to recognise and count their blessings.
Conscious of his family’s poor financial condition and bullied for the same, a frustrated young boy blames his mother for not working hard enough. But it’s only with time that he realises the most significant blessings aren’t material in nature.
12. International Men’s Day, 19th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: How you can reduce the risk of prostate cancer
Infographic idea: X Best gifts for every guy friend in your life
Article idea: X Famous men who restored our faith in humanity
Podcast idea: How the hold of patriarchy is more harmful than beneficial to men
Brand campaigns that worked:
Vogue India’s campaign #StartWithTheBoys highlighted society’s obsession with turning boys into ‘tough’ men who don’t cry. The video is alarmingly accurate in its observation of the numerous times boys are told ‘not to act like a girl’.
The campaign highlights how this perpetual conditioning can teach men to repress their sensitivity not only towards themselves but also others. It connects the same social phenomenon to the multiple instances of physical abuse committed by men.
The video gained over 1M views on Facebook.
Touching upon an issue critical to the well-being of men, ProstateCancerCanada released a cheeky video campaign that reminded its male viewers of the importance of a prostate checkup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcwdNCe9_As
A line of voluntary subjects tries out a series of prostate exam gloves modelled after the fingers of famous people. The campaign is a jab at those who avoid getting a checkup and jokingly explores what it’ll take for them to do so.
13. Child Rights Week, 14th– 20th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Ways to teach your child the importance of hygiene
Infographic idea: X Child rights organisations that have brought about a significant change
Article idea: What are the rights of a child?
Podcast idea: Important conversations you must have with your child
Brand campaigns that worked:
Save the Children, a global non-profit organisation, played a leading role in highlighting children’s rights. Under a campaign spearheaded by them, different states in India celebrated the week through a series of events.
West Bengal focused on the theme of gender equality and securing children’s rights. Bihar organised a cycle rally of 150 girls to dismantle social barriers like child marriage, child labour, and gender-based violence, to ensure a better life for girls. Maharashtra organised a cultural event powered by the ‘Ride to School’ project.
The strong message put out by the initiative holds universal appeal and deserves all the support it can get.
14. Transgender Awareness Week, 14th– 20th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: How technological innovations have supported the transgender community
Infographic idea: How dietary requirements change as you undergo gender transition
Article idea: Famous transgender people who’ve excelled in their careers
Podcast idea: Why is the Transgender Awareness Week celebrated?
Brand campaign that worked:
Media representations, especially Indian, haven’t often been very fair when it comes to depicting the transgender community. But Vicks’ campaign #TouchOfCare attempts to undo that.
It breaks through stereotypes about hijras through a video narrative that depicts the real-life story of Gauri Sawant who has single-handedly raised her adopted daughter, Gayatri.
Through the same, Vicks’ stresses upon the need for equal rights for all communities of India.
Festivals in November
1. Dhanteras, 5th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Gift cards vs cash cards: Which one makes a better gift?
Infographic idea: Give your loved ones a secure future with SIPs
Article idea: Do you know how to buy gold? Take this quiz
Podcast idea: The golden story behind Dhanteras you must know
2. Diwali, 7th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Easy Diwali dishes to prepare for a house party
Infographic idea: How to celebrate a cracker-free fun Diwali
Listicle idea: X Home décor ideas for Diwali
Podcast idea: How to ensure your Diwali shopping doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket
Now let the numbers do the talking:
(Source: Buzzsumo)
3. Bhai Dooj, 9th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: Perfect gift ideas for this Bhai Dooj
Infographic idea: Movies that best celebrate the sibling bond
Listicle idea: X Fun road-trip ideas for siblings
Podcast idea: What you should know about the history of Bhai Dooj
4. Chhath Puja, 13th Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Bihari dishes to try during Chhath Puja
Infographic idea: X Traditional outfits to wear this Chhath Puja
Article idea: Popular lakes and ponds to celebrate Chhath Puja
Podcast idea: Significance of celebrating Chhath Puja
5. Guru Nanak Jayanti, 23rd Nov
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Devotional songs for Guru Nanak Jayanti
Infographic idea: Fascinating facts about the Golden Temple you probably didn’t know
Listicle idea: Here are some places where you can get delicious Punjabi food
Podcast idea: How is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated in India?
Fun days
- World Television Day, 21st Nov
- World Toilet Day, 19th Nov
- International Tongue-Twister Day, 12th Nov
- World Origami Day, 11th Nov
Sports
- IWF World Championship (Weightlifting) – 1st to 10th Nov
- ICC Womens World T20 – 9th to 24th Nov
- AIBA World Championship: Women’s Boxing – 15th to 24th Nov
- India in Australia, 3 T20 international series – 21st, 23rd and 25th Nov
- Hockey World Cup (Men) – 28th Nov to 16th Dec
Content marketing ideas:
Video idea: X Best match/tournament moments in the history of <name of sport>
Infographic idea: X Foods that should be in every sportsperson’s diet
Listicle idea: What you need to become a <insert category of sportsperson>
Podcast idea: How technology has revolutionised the world of sports
Movies
- Bohemian Rhapsody – 2nd November
- Thugs of Hindostan – 8th November
- The Grinch – 9th November
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald – 16th November
- Creed II – 21st November
- Ralph Breaks the Internet – 21st November
Celebrity birthdays
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – 1st November
- Shah Rukh Khan – 2nd November
- Virat Kohli – 5th November
- Leonardo Di Caprio – 11th November
- Sania Mirza – 15th November
- Sushmita Sen – 19th November
- Indira Gandhi – 19th November
- Bappi Lahiri – 27th November
- Suresh Raina – 27th November