Local TV Marketers Spreading Messages Of Hope, Togetherness

It’s understandable for us to feel anxiety when all semblance of normality is gone, replaced with uncertainty like we’ve never experienced before.

We’re living in a world we hardly recognize, one that would have been unthinkable and unimaginable just a few weeks ago.

Living in forced isolation, we’re scared, feeling powerless over our own lives, worried about our futures.

So now, more than ever before, people are turning to local TV news for information they can trust about the changing conditions in their town, their city, county and state.

And local TV marketers are responding with messages of hope and optimism, togetherness and kindness. Not the usual themes of local TV news promotion, but the ones we need to hear right now.

“We feel it is important to share messages of hope during these difficult times,” said Dan Meyers, marketing director at WGRZ, Tegna’s NBC affiliate in Buffalo.

“We want people to feel that we will get through this, and we will do it together.”

And viewers say they appreciate it;

Couldn’t love this more!

Thank you for the positive thoughts. We really need this.    

Amazing! Thank you for being the station of hope and inspiration in these dark times.  

Wow, absolutely beautiful! Brought a tear to my eye. Well done!!!

Here’s one from WFTV, Cox’s ABC affiliate in Orlando, soothing, calming, with a lot of specific coverage promises.

Here’s one in a series of promos featuring WTHR’s on-air talent. WTHR is Tegna’s NBC affiliate in Indianapolis.

KAKE, Lockwood Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate in Wichita, Kan., posted this video on its Facebook feed saying “it’s important to spread kindness and generosity in these difficult times. We try our best to profile people who are helping their community and being on each other’s side throughout the pandemic, and will continue to share positive stories on Facebook, on air and on kake.com.”

I love this video you did I saw it in TV earlier, very inspiring. Thanks for this..

Here are some other examples from stations in markets around the country.

KITV, Lilly Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate in Honolulu.

WCMH, Nexstar’s NBC affiliate in Columbus, Ohio.

WISH, Circle City Broadcasting’s CW affiliate in Indianapolis.

WBND, Weigel Broadcasting’s ABC affiliate in South Bend, Indiana.

WXIN, Nexstar’s Fox affiliate in Indianapolis.

And here spreading a little ray of sunshine is WTSP, Tegna’s CBS affiliate in Tampa.

NOTE: I can’t think of a time when local TV news has been as important a source of information is it now during this coronavirus outbreak.  Let me know what your station is doing during this crisis in terms of news coverage, marketing and how you’re helping your advertisers. Also, examples of how TV journalists are working from home. I’ll post updates as I get them.

Click here to see an earlier story about how local TV news promos are reassuring viewers.

Click here to see how local TV stations are providing practical and positive responses to the coronavirus.