Our Role as Storytellers

By Kim Nielsen

I don’t often think of myself as a storyteller. I’m not a novelist, and I don’t share stories with children sitting on the floor around me as I recall my grandfather doing when I was young.

Regardless of the mental picture I have of storytellers, those of us in the PR, marketing and communications professions really do have stories to tell – the stories of our company, organization or client. I’ve become increasingly reminded of our role as storytellers (especially through technology) over the past few weeks.

Just today, as an alumna of the MA program in Marquette’s College of Communication, I received an email asking me to complete a survey on a graduate sequence in digital storytelling that the school is devleoping. The courses explore and apply the integration of technology and storytelling through blogs, documentaries, websites, etc.

Even before receiving the survey, the topic was already fresh in my mind. I recently attended a conference where Jonathan Harris was a keynote speaker. He combines storytelling and technology in amazing ways. If you aren’t familiar with Harris, I strongly recommend checking out some of his work here. One of my personal favorites is We Feel Fine. Commissioned by MOMA, I Want You to Want Me (highlighted in the video) is also pretty neat.

 

We’ve always been storytellers. When you really think about it, though, we can tell our stories in an incredible number and collection of ways.

Curbing the Coffee

by Kim Nielsen

I’m a coffee drinker. I have to admit that I struggle to go a day without coffee. So, when I first heard about Tuesday’s 3 ½ hour Starbucks closures, I thought ‘wow, this is going to make for some disappointed people.’ The closing of nearly all Starbucks stores (with the exception of those in malls, airports, etc.) certainly prompted both talk and media coverage. 

Although the stores were closed for additional training – something Starbucks identified as an employee need – the closures did far more than allow for employee training, they also got people talking (something I’m sure Starbucks anticipated). I’ve heard from people who feel this shutdown highlighted Starbucks weaknesses. Personally, I think the buzz, not to mention the wide spread media coverage, probably did more harm than good. What are your thoughts?