a viral virus

Journalists have the responsibility to report timely, accurate, and relevant news. Before, consumers listened and believed what was reported. Now, in times of challenge, push-back and even own research, consumers have the ability to chose who they listen and believe. Cons? Echo-chambers, and believing who you like. Pros? Forcing you to dig a little, and not believe everything in sight.

Its March of 2020, and right now the world is enduring some turmoil. There’s this virus going around, with flu-like symptoms, that has never been seen before except here and in some conspiracy theories on the web. COVI-119, or more commonly known as Corona Virus has taken the world by storm. Schools are turning to online classes and cancelling in-person lectures for as long as needed. Most offices have turned remote, and employees are now working from home.

These precautions are good for the social distance to prevent the virus, but what about the media world? Are these rash decisions forced from the media hysteria built around the virus? Are journalists at fault for reporting the number of confirmed cases over and over again, or does the world need to know? Can every news source be held accountable for the same fact-checked information as the last?

Well, that’s where consumers need to understand the facts and fiction and not get caught up in the constant, very present media hype.

But, with this world-wide pandemic, what does this mean for the advertising and media world? Well for starters:

Sports seasons are cancelled (NBA, NHL, Premier League). International travel has been halted. Corona Seltzer’s marketing campaign has been criticized.

The industries that are affected by this span worldwide, every industry, in every market. Marketing executions are being wasted, not performing, and losing revenue. Advertisers and publishers are dealing with immense stress- protecting revenue, protecting impressions, and trying to get the most out of their already agreed upon media plans. Ticket sales are plummeting, millennials are taking that $50 round trip to that beach they once heard of, and online shopping is in the midst of convince and “will these shoes actually get here”.

Not to mention, the downtick of the stock market due to the nation’s panic. From an economic perspective, this virus has no stopping point. From an advertising perspective, how can you advertise imported goods, or market to people who fear of the outdoors and are now practicing social distancing? From a user perspective, who are you trusting and believing, and why? With the pandemic news, there is so much uncertainty and so much the world has got to learn.

Essentially, this virus has gone viral. And it is taking the marketing world with it.