Thursday, July 15, 2010

Social Responsibility is Real

Advertising in a nation whose poverty runs so deep, at such a tremendous level that is unbelievable until actually experienced seems like a paradox wrapped up in a pretty little box. And yet, our itinerary is full of day tours to international ad agencies whose advertising efforts are successful, award winning and revolutionizing India as a brand. After meeting with Wieden + Kennedy, Delhi offices, I have a deeper and rich understanding of what is taking place in the Indian market place and how it is impacting the entirety of the population and the world.


As our presentation at W+K ensued, a collective ambition and the passion of advertising as an institution to help the good of all India radiated through the speaker. He reminded us that as we were sitting in an air-conditioned conference room clutching our over-sized coffee mugs, there were starving children, begging mothers and an entire nation lacking proper infrastructure and basic human needs such as shelter, clean water and hygiene. However, he assured us that each and everyday there are people who are aware of the bleeding situation and advertising has the social capability to assist and address this situation through a new wave of social responsibility--from agencies to CSR and sponsorships for local parks, school and restoration, it is a ground up operation. 




And yet, another inspiring day.

More Delhi Pics

4 comments:

Patsy said...

I can HEAR you growing ;)and am soooo proud. Love Mama

Sarah said...

Thanks mama, it's been really hard and at other times the best days of my life. I know Ill look back and just think, Wow! I did it

Mary Beth said...

Hey Sarah, this is Kevin. Reading about your train ride reminds me of one of my airline flights in the Phillipines. The flight into Manilla was nice. New modern airport. But the next day when I flew from Manilla to Bagio City I was amazed. We flew from a regional airport. There were actually people carrying chickens in cages on our little prop plane. There were goats inside the airport. I was so glad they weren't on my flight. It was a surreal experience. Before we landed we had to buzz the runway to scare off chickens. After we landed they asked for volunteers to unload the baggage onto a push cart. It was all quite an experience, as I'm sure you're finding out.

Take care, Kevin

Oops - we can't get the Delhi photos to open. Page says we don't have access/secured.

Sarah said...

Hi Kevin, the train ride was one of the craziest/scariest experiences I've ever had. I just know when I get home I'm going to be so appreciative of everything at a whole new level. Try the Delhi pics now. I had to do some updates to the account!

Miss ya!