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Each fortnight, “Video With…” dives into the best of the video world, from TV commercials to TikToks. There are just two criteria: the video must align with the week’s theme and must have the power to cut through the noise.

Our themes are inspired by conversations happening in the Laundry Lane office, ranging from “Videos with Mascots” to “Videos with Jingles.” The possibilities are endless.

What does “cut through” mean? It’s a video that stops the scroll, even if just for a moment. It might make us laugh, teach us something new, showcase beautiful craftsmanship, or evoke strong emotions (shock, awe, delight, horror, you name it).

“Video With…” is part investigation, part treasure hunt. Our goal is to inspire you to try something new in your marketing and communications journey and to explore the engaging and creative world of video production.

Telling sensitive stories can be tough. We’re talking about tackling deep, emotional topics like grief, trauma, mental health struggles, or big social issues like racism and domestic violence. It’s not just about telling a story, it’s about doing it with the right touch to make an impact without crossing lines.

Last week, we asked the Laundry Lane team to share their favourite videos that spotlight sensitive stories*, and here’s what they came back with.

*This was also a great way to make sure everyone’s keeping up with our Sensitive Storytelling Framework—don’t worry, no one’s getting the boot…

Jade Stewart:

“War Child’s Batman Video is a powerful example of sensitive storytelling because it uses fantasy as a tool to help children affected by war cope with their harsh realities. By immersing them in a narrative where they can relate to a heroic figure like Batman, the video allows these children to escape their traumatic experiences without sensationalising their struggles. The focus is on their resilience and imagination, preserving their dignity while raising awareness about the impact of war on young lives.”

Rhea Kamath:

“This ad was really memorable for me, as it highlighted how important it is to really listen. It also balanced sensitive storytelling with a bit of subtlety to ensure respect for those impacted by this issue. Played during the Super Bowl, it went on to spark important conversations about domestic violence and encouraged viewers to take action to support victims and survivors.”

Matthew Broadstock:

“The “Most Shocking Second a Day” portrays a young girl’s life over a year, using a familiar Western setting to contrast the harsh realities of the Syrian war. The video campaign, which launched over a decade ago, works by placing the conflict in a context relatable to the viewer, then harshly juxtaposing it against the suffering and loss of a foreign war. It’s effective at evoking empathy, and making the distant crisis feel personal.”

Siena Nisavic:

“I think the way that this campaign explores how female identifying gamers experience online abuse, is incredibly striking and effective. I love how they’ve literally invited people to step into their shoes and experience their reality.”

Alexandra Cordukes:

“We’re incredibly proud to have worked on such an important campaign. It’s projects like these that remind us of the impact storytelling can have in driving positive change.”

Charmaine Kwok:

“I really like this video because it addresses a difficult subject matter thoughtfully, making it emotionally resonant. The choice to use a young child’s voice and tell the story from their perspective was clever, giving the message so much more depth and impact.”

Akrom Binkanee:

“This video was created for UNHCR for World Refugee Day in 2021, bringing Abdallah’s refugee story to life through animation. It’s a beautiful example of Sensitive Storytelling because the studio collaborated closely with Abdallah; working together to develop a visual style that truly represents his journey. They even teamed up on the sound design since Abdallah is a musician, and you can hear him playing the guitar in parts of the video.”

Isabel Zakharova:

“Love that it represents a diversity of people and that they are shown in empowering ways such as surrounded by friends and family, looking at the camera, engaging in hobbies and work. The voiceover speaks to the importance of building inclusive and sustainable communities for people living with a disability.”

If you’ve made it this far, here’s a fun fact that might stay tucked away in your mind until that one meeting, years from now, when you’re pitching your next campaign idea. Did you know stories are remembered up to 22 times more than just facts?

If you’ve seen any videos that feature sensitive topics that have captured your attention, share them in the comments below.

Until next time.

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