Using Mike

(otherwise known as a pitch)

Most Canadians have grown weary of the "Big Sell" by notable celebrities.  These famous people are perceived to have big bucks, which is not the perception that average Canadians have of themselves.  This unwillingness to spend becomes more emphatic when presented with a special event or charitable cause.

                                                                 Why?

It's not that Canadians don't want to give.  Rather, it's quite the opposite.  We are a nation that supports causes.  Recall the Manitoba Flood of 1997.  Witness the longevity of the Terry Fox run.  What do these things have that caused such a stir of emotion and support?

Both scenarios have an underlying issue in common:  they deal with regular people.  Terry Fox was an average Canadian who was dying of cancer.  The flood of '97 devastated the lives of many average Canadian families.  Either of these situation can, and quite likely will, affect the people who give.  Indeed, people are motivated by goodwill, but that goodwill is strengthened when the situation affects themselves or their loved ones.  In cases such as these, the average Canadian thinks,

                     "If it can happen to them, it can happen to me."

How can a not-for-profit event or organization harnass the willingness to give based on this instinct of self-preservation?  Is it even possible for the public to distinguish one charitable group from another anymore?  How can the public be mobilized?

Let's take a look at what we know about the Canadian public:

= We know people are no longer interested in donating for the sake of a name.
= We know people need to find it easy to donate.
= We know people identify strongly with causes that might affect them at some point.
= We know that younger Canadians do not give at the same level as older Canadians.
= But we know that people still care.

              How can you put these realities to work for your cause?

                   There is an answer.  And his name is Mike Zegil.

The primary consideration for many organizations today is cost.  The cost of hiring professional agencies to create and implement a campaign are tremendous, even prohibiting.  And the campaign often lacks the distinctiveness to stir up the sentiments of Canadians.

At Hey! Communications, we are sensitive to these issues.  We are prepared to offer the development and implementation of a campaign at no cost to your organization whatsoever.  Really. 

So, if you are from an organization who might be interested in a creative campaign developed at no cost, or you know of one that might be, contact Hey! Communications.  We're Young.  We're Hip.  We're New to the Scene.  But We've Got a Million Great Ideas.  And Mike is the start of them all.