Joan Creative Recognized as Adweek's 2022 Small Agency of the Year Award Winner
Production agencies must remain prepared for a variety of potential disruptions, but seldom anticipate cataclysmic volcanic eruptions or tsunamis. However, such events are the very challenges Joan Creative recently encountered while planning to launch S&P Global's rebrand.
The rebranding project included underwater shoots in Fiji's marine-rich waters last January. Unforeseen circumstances arose when a volcanic eruption in nearby Tonga forced the agency to rethink the plan. Prioritizing safety, the team ensured both their own and the client's team members were secure before tackling the logistical challenges that ensued.
To circumvent the disruption, Joan Creative turned to local divers to replace the original team unable to reach the island. Amid the chaos, coordinating new logistical complications was also essential, including sourcing one of the world's rarest camera lenses and navigating the multitude of changes required.
Managing unexpected disruptions demands precise crisis management, adaptability, and constant communication. For high-profile campaigns like those helmed by agencies such as Joan Creative, this is even more critical, especially during significant rebranding events like S&P Global’s.
When natural disasters hinder productions, the initial priority is always safety: halting production, securing the set, ensuring everyone is safe, and accounting for all involved. Good crisis communication and transparency are necessary, keeping clients, stakeholders, and the public informed. Contingency planning and adaptability are vital amidst setbacks, with alternative solutions, flexible scheduling, or digital/post-production workarounds employed to minimize delays.
In such situations, collaborating with local authorities, insurance providers, and logistics partners is indispensable, managing evacuations, ensuring equipment safety, and coordinating rescheduling. The use of real-time data and risk assessment tools aids decision-making and is increasingly employed by agencies leveraging advanced technology for brand management.
Post-incident reviews identify how the disruption was handled and inform future risk mitigation. This process often involves root cause analysis, similar to incident investigation practices in other industries.
Though not publicly detailed in many cases involving natural disasters, creative agility and client collaboration are key for agencies like Joan Creative. During Volcanic eruptions or other significant disruptions, they would prioritize safety, clear communication with the client, and swiftly alternate creative timelines and deliverables.
For major rebranding campaigns, agility and resilience are crucial. Production agencies work with clients’ robust risk management infrastructure to pivot strategies when needed, possibly turning to virtual shoots, leveraging existing assets, or rescheduling to keep projects on track.
- When a volcanic eruption near Fiji disrupted the planning for S&P Global's rebrand, Joan Creative swiftly collaborated with local divers and leveraged technology to source a rare camera lens, demonstrating agility in the face of cataclysmic events.
- In the midst of an unforeseen disruption like a natural disaster, Joan Creative prioritized safety and clear communication with clients, expeditiously altering creative timelines and deliverables to maintain the success of high-profile campaigns such as S&P Global’s rebrand.
