Mrs M
yoda76LIVE EARTH....WHAT ABOUT ME?
July 9th 2007 04:11
On Saturday 7 July 2007 Sydney hosted the first of the Live Earth concerts that were being held around the globe. Some of the biggest names here in Australia were performing and even bigger names were performing around the world. Quite the event…only I nearly missed it.
I remember a few months ago when the shows were announced but honestly up until last weekend I didn’t know they were so close. By chance I happen to switch to 2-Day FM (part of the Austereo Network) and they were giving away tickets to listeners.
Now maybe I’m not in the demographic that listens to 2-Day FM, and I generally don’t listen to 2-Day FM, but I still feel I should be part of the demographic that the PR machine for Live Earth should be targeting.
I’m in the 30-34 age demographic, I am the main grocery shopper in my household and I manage the family budget. I am a mother of 3 young children; children that are going to inherit this world from us.
I don’t exactly live with my head in the sand; I read The Sydney Morning Herald online everyday and I always listen to the radio (I generally skip over 3-4 radio stations in any given day), yet I saw or heard nothing about Live Earth in the lead up to the concerts.
I appreciate that young people (16-24) are a large target market. They have the power to make decisions for themselves and change things for the future; for their future.
But how did the PR machine miss me? I would have thought that parents of young children would have been a huge target market to address. I’m the one who chooses to recycle and purchase recycled items, change the light globes in my house, change my electricity consumption habits and change my car.
If I can be convinced to do the very things that Al Gore is asking everyone to do, then my children will not only benefit but will also learn about the importance of the environment; and themselves will be more likely to live ‘green’. Little ones look to their parents and see them as role models.
45,000 people attended the show in Sydney and from what I have read about the coverage of the show, people in their teens right up to people in their late 30’s went to the show. Of that 45,000 I wonder how many parents were there.
45,000 people does not sound like a lot of people for such a huge event. The State of Origin attracts 70,000 every year. In Melbourne it is not uncommon for 70,000 to attend a regular weekend AFL game.
For such an important issue, I really did think that there would be more publicity in the lead up than there was.
***I've just read that the crowd numbers were 50,000! Woops...but that still isn't close to 70,000.
I remember a few months ago when the shows were announced but honestly up until last weekend I didn’t know they were so close. By chance I happen to switch to 2-Day FM (part of the Austereo Network) and they were giving away tickets to listeners.
Now maybe I’m not in the demographic that listens to 2-Day FM, and I generally don’t listen to 2-Day FM, but I still feel I should be part of the demographic that the PR machine for Live Earth should be targeting.
I’m in the 30-34 age demographic, I am the main grocery shopper in my household and I manage the family budget. I am a mother of 3 young children; children that are going to inherit this world from us.
I don’t exactly live with my head in the sand; I read The Sydney Morning Herald online everyday and I always listen to the radio (I generally skip over 3-4 radio stations in any given day), yet I saw or heard nothing about Live Earth in the lead up to the concerts.
I appreciate that young people (16-24) are a large target market. They have the power to make decisions for themselves and change things for the future; for their future.
But how did the PR machine miss me? I would have thought that parents of young children would have been a huge target market to address. I’m the one who chooses to recycle and purchase recycled items, change the light globes in my house, change my electricity consumption habits and change my car.
If I can be convinced to do the very things that Al Gore is asking everyone to do, then my children will not only benefit but will also learn about the importance of the environment; and themselves will be more likely to live ‘green’. Little ones look to their parents and see them as role models.
45,000 people attended the show in Sydney and from what I have read about the coverage of the show, people in their teens right up to people in their late 30’s went to the show. Of that 45,000 I wonder how many parents were there.
45,000 people does not sound like a lot of people for such a huge event. The State of Origin attracts 70,000 every year. In Melbourne it is not uncommon for 70,000 to attend a regular weekend AFL game.
For such an important issue, I really did think that there would be more publicity in the lead up than there was.
***I've just read that the crowd numbers were 50,000! Woops...but that still isn't close to 70,000.
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Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Until I read your post I hadn't even realised that it was being held ... I must pull my head out of the sand occasionally!
I totally agree, especially since we as parents are the major influence upon our young children (at least until they become teenagers and suddenly they know much more that we ever will). We educate them through our own understanding and beliefs so what better way is there for the 'Look after our planet' message to get through to them.
Very good post.
A. xx
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
I agree with you. Until I saw a pic of Toni Collette on one of the papers as one of the singers for Live Earth, I had no idea about this concert either. And isn't Toni Collette in our age group?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's funny because I was thinking the same thing too. I seemed to have missed something with this event and I'm 35...what an oversight and missed opportunity if you ask me.
Tracy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I'm glad I'm not the only parent that sees it that way. It just seems like such an oversight.
You can be forgiven for having your head in the sand. But that's not the point really is it? It's not up to us to find this stuff out, they're supposed to find us.
They are supposed to realise that we are very busy with our families and find a way to get through to us. Well a good PR campaign would do that.
Hi Aimzster,
Toni Collette is a few years older than me and now a mum to be...so yeah....Live Earth's PR department should have done a better job.
WOOPS, Toni Collette is only 1 year older than me...not a few...
Thanks for the visit ladies.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
You live in Sydney too right? That's what's even more bizarre. You'd think the PR people would have just gone nuts to get the people in Sydney to go to the concert, irrespective of demographic.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Silly.....
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
You're not a mum but like you said, you're pretty in touch with most things and this still passed you by. I would have expected you to know about it.
Parents...maybe not so much...but they're a different kettle of fish. They need a different approach.
But like you said, anyone and everyone in Sydney should have been targeted.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
you're a victim of advertising...sometimes I don't hear about stuff I'd like to do either, cause I don't "fit in" to the proper age bracket...
Sucks actually, but, that's the way of advertising!
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Louie
Climate Forum
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
I really do need to learn to make them less boring or get better headlines........or something...all constructive advice appreaciated
you don't have to miss out completely......if you want to be involved goto Really Long Link and think on the broght side..people are bagging the concerts for the emissions and forgetting about the awareness so you can be involved in the good part......
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I guess environmentalism is only cool if teenagers want to do it.
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Well this is a fine howdy do! Very well said....
Mis
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
You're right. Targeting teenagers is all good and well for the future, but to affect the here and now, you'd be a lot better to target those who have the decision making power - ie parents!!!
I heard that a survey was done of people who had listened/watched/attended the Live Earth concerts and whether the concerts would make them change their ways. The overwhelming majority of people said that they didn't intend to change their habits. So while it's a good idea, perhaps it's not going to be terribly effective.
Kylie
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
But like you said, doesn't mean it doesn't happen that way.
Hi Louie,
Thanks for the link...I'll have a look.
I'm sorry we missed your post. But at least you tried to bring awareness to the event. More than I can say for the Live Earth PR people.
Hi Cibby,
Hi Mis,
And a howdy do to you lovely lady. Thanks for the compliment.
Hi Kylie,
I read an article in SMH and like you said, a lot of people said they wouldn't change their habits 'but it's great to raise awareness'. Fools...
Thanks everyone for the visit and the comments.
Love & stuff
Mrs M