PR, Video
May 1, 2007
Todd Zeigler
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Team Building Videos: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

When I was in traditional PR one of the activities I always thought was a waste of time and money was the creation of internal, morale boosting videos.  Basically, the idea is to make this “cool” video to get everyone fired up at some big event, nevermind the other 364 days in the year.  It almost impossible to make one of these that doesn’t make people cringe.

Thanks to YouTube, these types of videos are showing up on the Internet.  Below are three that represent the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the team building video genre.

The Good

This internal Kodak video is brilliant. It beautifully describes the company’s transition to digital. I got a little fired up watching it.

The Bad

A Bank of America employee changes the lyrics to U2′s “One” to be about Bank of America’s merger with MBNA.  It is like an episode of The Office come to life. 

The Ugly

The lyrics of “Oh Happy Day” changed to promote Ernst & Young.  This is either the best SNL sketch or worst corporate video ever made.

  • http://www.DirectorTom.com Thomas R. Clifford

    Great post.

    Boosting morale through video is often the last desperate attempt by many organizations to make-up for the lack of a “real” vision with values.

    As a filmmaker specializing in corporate documentaries for over 20 years, I have learned that the best morale boosters come from an employee’s own authentic story.

    Peers will listen as the stories and experiences come from the heart of the employee and not from the ivory towers.

    Embracing employees as storytellers and “heroes” in corporate films can actually make a difference to others. I’ve seen it happen.

  • http://www.DirectorTom.com Thomas R. Clifford

    Great post.

    Boosting morale through video is often the last desperate attempt by many organizations to make-up for the lack of a “real” vision with values.

    As a filmmaker specializing in corporate documentaries for over 20 years, I have learned that the best morale boosters come from an employee’s own authentic story.

    Peers will listen as the stories and experiences come from the heart of the employee and not from the ivory towers.

    Embracing employees as storytellers and “heroes” in corporate films can actually make a difference to others. I’ve seen it happen.

  • http://www.bivingsreport.com Todd Zeigler

    Thomas,

    That sounds like a good approach and I’m sure it can be pulled off if the right people hire the right filmakers. But I think too often these things end up as vanity projects made for executives and not regular employees.

    Thanks for your comment.

  • http://www.bivingsreport.com Todd Zeigler

    Thomas,

    That sounds like a good approach and I’m sure it can be pulled off if the right people hire the right filmakers. But I think too often these things end up as vanity projects made for executives and not regular employees.

    Thanks for your comment.

  • Bill Helm

    The Kodak video is perfect.

  • Bill Helm

    The Kodak video is perfect.

  • http://www.hammer2006.blogspot.com Alex Hammer

    Todd, you took out prior comment but that’s ok. Our traffic is double already what it’s ever been today.

  • http://www.hammer2006.blogspot.com Alex Hammer

    Todd, you took out prior comment but that’s ok. Our traffic is double already what it’s ever been today.

  • http://www.hammer2006.blogspot.com Alex Hammer

    My mistake (I apologize, too much going on today). Alex

  • http://www.hammer2006.blogspot.com Alex Hammer

    My mistake (I apologize, too much going on today). Alex

  • http://www.pluto-online.com/editorsblog Ed Walker

    That rendition of ‘One’ is something special, whatever happened to the traditional fist pumping speech?

  • http://www.pluto-online.com/editorsblog Ed Walker

    That rendition of ‘One’ is something special, whatever happened to the traditional fist pumping speech?

  • Kevin McBarron

    All,

    I am writing an article on these corporate morale videos. Very interested in any other comments. Is it vanity, self-indulgence or is there a sense that they can in fact motivate people in large organisations?
    Any input appreciated.

    Regards

    Kevin
    Hong Kong

  • Kevin McBarron

    All,

    I am writing an article on these corporate morale videos. Very interested in any other comments. Is it vanity, self-indulgence or is there a sense that they can in fact motivate people in large organisations?
    Any input appreciated.

    Regards

    Kevin
    Hong Kong

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