Summer is full of opportunities, even if the sweltering heat may make it seem otherwise. Children get time to pursue hobbies they’ve always wanted to try, while adults get to plan that long-awaited family vacation. As your audience dreams of their summer getaways in May, we give you a suite of content marketing opportunities to assist your brand to be seen in their best digital avatars.

Read on to discover what fun days May offers. Celebrate Mother’s Day, share a laugh on World Laughter Day, enjoy a cup of tea on International Tea Day, and much more!

What’s new in May 2022?

India’s first-ever International Cruise Conference – 14-15 May

Cruise tourism is one the most promising and fast-growing components of the Indian leisure industry. Promoting the shipping and tourism sector together, Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) will be hosting the first-ever India International Cruise Conference in Mumbai on May 14-15.

The event will be hosted months ahead of the commissioning of the first-of-its-kind cruise terminal in Mumbai. This terminal will boost international cruise tourism and employment, and also highlight regional connectivity. It will have an annual capacity of handling 200 ships and a million passengers.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: Best seaports in India
• Infographic idea: X Features of the upcoming cruise terminal in Mumbai
• Video idea: How do seaports function?
• Podcast idea: Cruise tourism in India: Everything you need to know

Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test – 7 May

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) will be conducting the Company Secretaries Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) on 7 May. A qualifying entrance test for registration to the CS Executive Program, CSEET was introduced to raise and further strengthen the academic standards of the Company Secretaryship Course.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: Best colleges to study in to become a Company Secretary
• Infographic idea: idea: How to become a Company Secretary
• Video idea: What does a Company Secretary do?
• Podcast idea: The scope and advantages of becoming a Company Secretary

Fixed Days – May 2022

World Laughter Day – 1 May

Did you know that the record for the longest stand-up comedy show ever performed by a comedian (David Scott, a.k.a. The Midnight Swinger) is 40 hours and 8 minutes? Yes, that’s a lot of jokes!

Laughing may seem trivial, but few realize how beneficial it can be for one’s overall well-being. Mirth may not solve anything, but it can dissolve everything. Observed on the first Sunday of May, World Laughter Day is an occasion for people to put their stress aside and just laugh out loud.

Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: X Online comic strips for your daily dose of laughter
• Infographic idea: Little things that can instantly put a smile on your loved one’s face
• Video idea: How to successfully build a career as a stand-up comedian
• Podcast idea: How laughter makes you a happier and healthier person

World Press Freedom Day – 3 May

Did you know that Cuba, Laos, Syria, Iran, Vietnam, Djibouti, China, Turkmenistan, North Korea, and Eritrea are the ten countries with the least press freedom?

World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of how critical free press is to a functional and secure society, as well as a homage to journalists who have died in the pursuit of their craft. It has never been more crucial to seek out journalism with integrity at a time when media coverage is prone to sensationalism and fear-mongering.

The UN General Assembly established this day in 1993 on the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek (a declaration of press freedom principles drafted by African journalists in 1991 to promote an independent and diversified African press). The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2022 is ‘Journalism under Digital Siege’, and it highlights the digital era’s impact on the safety of journalists, access to information, and freedom of expression.

Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: How social media has influenced journalism over the past decade
• Infographic idea: The best institutes in India to study journalism
• Video idea: Journalistic scoops that caused a global upheaval
• Podcast idea: Do you know what the role of the press club is?

Brand campaign that worked:

This UNESCO video raises the all-important question: Why should we care about press freedom, and how does it affect us?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DHTvyzXIx8

International Firefighters’ Day – 4 May

Imagine risking severe injury or death to save a complete stranger, knowing you might not survive? It is these acts of heroism that firefighters carry out every day. We may see them as heroic, but for them it’s just their job.

The first ever Roman fire brigade was created by Marcus Licinius Crassus. Prior to that, firefighting is mentioned as a structured profession in the scriptures of ancient Egypt. The first Firefighters Day was created in 1999 after five firefighters tragically lost their lives in the engulfment of flames while fighting a bush fire in Australia.

An important symbol associated with International Firefighters’ Day is the blue-and-red ribbon. Blue represents water while red symbolizes fire; both colors are recognized worldwide as emergency service symbols.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: X Ways to make your home fireproof
• Infographic idea: How to train your children for fire emergencies
• Video idea: Can you follow a firefighter’s fitness regime?
• Podcast idea: What are the biggest health issues that firefighters face?

Brand campaign that worked:

This video from the South Metro Fire Rescue PIO shows a day in the life of one of their firefighters and provides a better understanding of their work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEIFG7-cmzY

International Mother’s Day – 8 May

Throughout history, mothers have traditionally been responsible for running the household and keeping the family together. Mothers tend to sacrifice a lot for their families and seldom receive recognition. So, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show our mothers how much they are appreciated, loved, and noticed.

Mother’s Day has its origin in Ancient Greece, but gained prominence in Britain and Europe celebrating during Lent through ‘Mothering Sunday’. While the custom there was more about believers visiting a church with their mothers, it gradually evolved to resemble Mother’s Day in its own way.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: X Silent ways your mother says ‘I love you’ every day
• Infographic idea: How to express love to your mother without buying her expensive gifts
• Video idea: X Ways to create a memorable Mother’s Day experience for your mom
• Podcast idea: How children and other family members can ease a mother’s workload

Brand campaign that worked:

This Nivea video highlights how there will always be one person we can always turn to – our mother.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FgfrycTISo

National Technology Day – 11 May

National Technology Day is an important occasion because of the importance of technology in our daily lives and its contribution to the economy. It is celebrated as an achievement of technological innovations.

The day was first observed on 11 May 1998, when India successfully tested its nuclear bomb in Pokhran under the code name Operation Shakti. To honor India’s technological achievements, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister, hailed it as National Technology Day.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: India’s achievements in the technology sector that have reinforced national security
• Infographic idea: X Innovative tech start-ups that are making India proud
• Video idea: How to make the best use of smartphone technology
• Podcast idea: Precautions to take while making digital payments

International Nurses’ Day – 12 May

Nurses play an important role in all our medical facilities, overseeing patients’ well-being, safety, and recuperation.

International Nurses’ Day was created to pay tribute to nurses worldwide. Nursing brings so much to our lives and the lives of our loved ones, so it is only fitting to honor them on a day that celebrates their efforts.

The Nurses’ Day movement commenced in 1953 when US government health official Dorothy Sutherland contacted the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, to propose a national day for nurses. However, he refused to approve the proposal. Eventually, the day was subsequently approved and celebrated on 12 May ever since. This day also marks the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing.

The theme of this year’s International Nurses’ Day is ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health’.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: What does the career roadmap of a nurse look like?
• Infographic idea: X Indian women who made a difference in the medical industry
• Video idea: Why nursing is the most compassionate profession
• Podcast idea: How can we better fund our healthcare system?

Brand campaign that worked:

This video from Aster DM Healthcare highlights the daily sacrifices nurses make, often putting others’ comfort before their own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9svZLYs7t8M

International Day of Families – 15 May

Families are the basis of society. For this reason, the UN in 1993 recognized the family as a central unit in society, celebrating the International Day of Families to promote awareness of issues relating to families, increase knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting families, and strengthen family ties.

The UN organizes activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and TV and radio programs each year to celebrate this day. Its logo consists of a solid green circle with a red image, and also includes a schematic representation of a heart and a house, representing the basic elements of every family.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: Best family movies to watch with your children
• Infographic idea: X Activities to bring your family together
• Video idea: Budget summer holidays that you can plan with your family
• Podcast idea: How healthy relationships can positively impact children

World Hypertension Day – 17 May

World Hypertension Day may sound intense, but it is actually an occasion to educate people about the pitfalls of hypertension. Established by the World Hypertension League in 2005 to raise awareness about hypertension and its issues, the importance of the day stems from the fact that heart attacks, kidney disease, and strokes are associated with hypertension.

In 2022, the theme of World Hypertension Day is ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, and Live Longer’. The theme chosen focuses on managing low awareness rates globally, especially in low- to middle-income households, and highlighting accurate blood pressure measurement methods.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: How traveling can reduce stress and bring you mental peace
• Infographic idea: X Signs that you are suffering from hypertension
• Video idea: Changes you can make to your lifestyle to avoid hypertension
• Podcast idea: How to cope with work without getting stressed

Brand campaign that worked:

This Novartis video discusses the dangers of hypertension and provides statistics on how many people it impacts each year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGfErCkUcFU

International Tea Day – 21 May

Did you know that tea is one of the oldest beverages in the world? It was discovered around 2700 BC. There are over 1000 different types of tea, and it is the second most consumed beverage worldwide, after water.

International Tea Day was initiated by trade unions, civil society organizations, and small tea growers in Asia and Africa in 2005 to address the issue of decent wages and fair prices for small tea producers. The day highlights the importance of tea in its communities and as a commercial commodity, focusing on the need to improve the working conditions in the tea sector so that the growers get to enjoy it as much as the consumers do.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: How to host a high tea in traditional British style
• Infographic idea: X Health benefits of tea you probably didn’t know about
• Video idea: Beautiful hill plantations to visit in India
• Podcast idea: Why are we so fixated on chai?

Brand campaign that worked:

Have you been brewing tea incorrectly all your life? This BBC video demonstrates how to make the perfect cup of tea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhuc6qOGNPc

National Anti-Terrorism Day (India) – 21 May

Terrorism, in all its forms, threatens national security as well as international stability and prosperity. This threat knows no borders, nationalities, or religions, and is a global challenge that must be confronted by the international community together.

Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1991. This year marks Rajiv’s 31st death anniversary. The purpose of Anti-Terrorism Day is to spread the message of peace, unity, and harmony and make people aware of the antisocial nature of terrorism.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: Precautions taken by the Indian government to tackle terrorism
• Infographic idea: Documentaries on terrorism and where to watch them
• Video idea: Homage to heroes who died fighting terrorists
• Podcast idea: How terrorism has affected the global tourism industry

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – 29 May

The United Nations defines peace as ‘a unique and dynamic instrument developed by the Organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict create the conditions for lasting peace’.

Peacekeepers, around the world, have been monitoring and observing peace processes in post-conflict areas, extending assistance in implementing peace agreements signed globally. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers pays homage to and honors those who served in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations and who died in the name of peace.

The theme for this year’s International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is ‘The road to a lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security’.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: X UN Peacekeepers instrumental in bringing world peace
• Infographic idea: X Significant peace agreements in the world
• Video idea: United Nations Peacekeepers: A peek into acts of heroism
• Podcast idea: How to teach compassion to children

World No-Tobacco Day – 31 May

Globally, around 3.5 million hectares of land is destroyed each year to grow tobacco. This also contributes to soil degradation and deforestation of 200,000 hectares.

Smoking was and still is injurious to health and several initiatives have been taken to combat it. However, this year the World Health Organization is observing World No Tobacco Day by focusing on the ways in which tobacco threatens the environment. This includes revealing the business practices of tobacco companies, raising awareness on the dangers of using tobacco, how WHO is fighting the tobacco epidemic, and what people can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: X Health problems that smokers are more prone to
• Infographic idea: These apps can help you kick the tobacco habit
• Video idea: How does your body change when you quit smoking?
• Podcast idea: How to help a loved one quit smoking

Festivals – May 2022

Akshaya Tritiya – 3 May
Eid al-Fitr – 3 May
Buddha Purnima – 16 May
Content marketing ideas:

• Listicle idea: Why is Akshaya Tritiya the perfect time to buy gold?
• Infographic idea: The health benefits of Ramadan fasting
• Video idea: X Eid dishes you cannot miss out on
• Podcast idea: The history and significance of Buddha Purnima

Fun Days – May 2022

International Harry Potter Day – 2 May
Star Wars Day – 4 May
International No-Diet Day – 6 May
Chocolate Chip Day – 15 May
World Whiskey Day – 21 May
Sunscreen Protection Day – 27 May
International Hamburger Day – 28 May

Birthdays: May 2022

Anushka Sharma – 1 May
Satyajit Ray – 2 May
Dwayne Johnson – 2 May
Henry Cavill – 5 May
Adele – 5 May
Motilal Nehru – 6 May
George Clooney – 6 May
Enrique Iglesias – 8 May
Rosario Dawson – 9 May
Domhnall Gleeson – 12 May
Sunny Leone – 13 May
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – 13 May
Robert Pattinson – 13 May
Stevie Wonder – 13 May
George Lucas – 14 May
Madhuri Dixit – 15 May
Pierce Brosnan – 16 May
Craig Ferguson – 17 May
Tina Fey – 18 May
Ali Zafar – 18 May
Nawazuddin Siddiqui – 19 May
Ruskin Bond – 19 May
Sam Smith – 19 May
Timothy Olyphant – 20 May
Naomi Campbell – 22 May
Bob Dylan – 24 May
Rajesh Roshan – 24 May
Kunal Khemu – 25 May
Karan Johar – 25 May
Ian McKellen – 25 May
Cillian Murphy – 25 May
Helena Bonham Carter – 26 May
Pankaj Kapoor – 29 May
Paresh Rawal – 30 May
Clint Eastwood – 31 May
Vir Das – 31 May
Sobhita Dhulipala – 31 May