Channel 4's 'Escape to the Chateau' does this very well...
A big broadcast success in 2020 was Channel 4's ‘Escape to the Chateau’, attracting audiences of 3.4 million.
This television programme has been on our screens since 2016. It follows the adventures of Dick and Angel Strawbridge moving to France with their young children, Arthur and Dorothy, to renovate a 19th century chateau and adapt to life in a new country. The completion of Brexit has moved the UK, politically, away from Europe, so it is ironic that ‘Escape to the Chateau’ has created attention and interest in France and, for some, a desire to follow in the Strawbridge’s footsteps.
A recurring theme in the programme is Dick and Angel’s determination to take old or discarded items they have found in the chateau such as rolls of wallpaper, magazines, furniture and pieces of wood and re-use them in new ways. They have shown that with ingenuity, neglected materials can be re-purposed effectively. Is there a message here for communicating in business?
Consider the following:
- ‘Rule of Three’ – using three key messages or points to help an audience understand and remember information, has been around for over 2,000 years since the times of Greek philosopher, Plato.
- ‘Brevity in Communications’ – UK Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, issued a note to the civil service in 1940 on the need to keep documents brief and avoid using jargon and unnecessary content.
- ‘Embracing the Company Vision’ – in 1962, a janitor at NASA’s headquarters in USA responded to President John F Kennedy’s question on his role by saying, “I’m helping put a man on the moon”, showing he understood his company role and contribution.
These examples may be historic but the underlying message in each one stands the test of time and remains relevant to business today. By identifying examples like this and adapting them in a way to meet audiences’ needs, will avoid having to ‘reinvent the wheel’ in your communications delivery – an approach very much at the heart of ‘Escape to the Chateau!’
Talk to us for more insights on how communications can be repurposed to meet your needs.