Beating “Death By PowerPoint” With Original & Engaging Event Content

In this guest post, GPJ Australia ECD Bim Ricketson (pictured below) says he sits through too many boring conferences and PowerPoint presentations and now he’s demanding change…
Ever been to an exciting-sounding conference, only to find yourself bored to death?
You’re in a dark room with a stage, some screens, and a seemingly endless parade of worthy but dull speakers. Before the morning tea break you’re checking your phone for distraction.
What should be a fascinating story fails to arouse any interest.
Why? Because the purpose was not clearly established at the outset. And to establish purpose, you simply have to begin by asking why.
Commit to choosing a different path from the outset, and you will end up somewhere unexpected. Your why will take you to your how.
So, before you select a speaker, book a space, or start a PowerPoint document, ask yourself the most important question: why?
Why do we do what we do? Why should people know about it? Why does it matter to this audience, at this time, in this place?
This will define the purpose of what you’re doing; once in place, you have the foundation on which everything else can be built.
Next explore the what.
What are the messages that you want the audience to take away? What are the stories that will most effectively carry those messages? What supporting material do you have to substantiate what you’re going to say?
Clearly define what you wish each story to impart on the audience. Are there overlaps or contradictions, which should be removed or explored?
Now ask who?
Who is the best person to deliver each message? Who are the experts in the field? These could come from within your organisation, your partner or customer network, or somewhere novel. Invest time seeking out speakers beyond the obvious choices – hearing unique perspectives from unexpected quarters is always a better bet than the person who is hot on the speaker circuit this month.
Finally, how?
You’ve got your message, so now it’s time to explore your media.
Ask yourself how the content can most effectively be brought to life for your audiences.
The good news is that by this point, you’re probably so engaged with your storytelling that using PowerPoint seems like a massive wasted opportunity.
Here are some alternatives you might want to consider, to change up your format:
Lightning talks
Break up the format with very short presentations, lasting only a few minutes each. Choose speakers who will present a range of unexpected perspectives related to your central narrative. The constant mixing up of tempo and ideas will keep your audience engaged.
Pecha Kucha
Pecha Kucha, from the Japanese word meaning “chit-chat”, is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each. The slides advance automatically, which means the presenter has to be very well rehearsed and the fast pace means the content is honed down to its most important components. This format keeps presentations concise and is perfect for multiple-speaker events, where a lot of content needs to be covered quickly.
Experience the product
Why not let your products or services do the talking? Humans construct knowledge and meaning from experiences, meaning they are more likely to retain knowledge when they can apply what they’ve learned. If you’ve got a product, give your audience the opportunity to get hands-on. Consider demonstrating your service en masse, so your audience doesn’t just hear about it, but experiences using it. Allowing people to have a go helps ensure your message sticks.
Social VR
When we think of VR, we tend to think of a single person wearing goggles, immersed in an isolated experience. The technology separates the users from their surrounds and each other. But recent advances break down those barriers to combine multiple audiences in a virtual space, in real time. This means your guests could be literally anywhere in the world, but enjoying live interactions with each other, your presenters or your product.
These are just four examples of presenting content that avoids the predictable path of ‘death by PowerPoint’.
By taking an ‘inside out’ approach, and letting your message guide your media, you might end up in all sorts of interesting places that will keep your guests entertained, informed and engaged.
Latest News

ghd Appoints GrowthOps Digital As Digital Marketing Partner
Global hair styling brand, ghd has today announced the appointment of GrowthOps Digital as its digital marketing partner.

Prahran Market Announces Masterchef Grand Finalist Simon Toohey As ‘Sustainable Simon’
Prahran Market is excited to announce Simon Toohey as the Market’s new sustainability guru ‘Sustainable Simon’

Xandr Shares Comprehensive Approach To Identity
Xandr today shared insight into its multi-faceted approach to identity solutions, to facilitate high-value transactions for buyers and sellers following the deprecation of third-party cookies and device IDs.

Bolster Group Launches Regional Tour ‘Small Town Big Sound’, For The Transport Accident Commission’s Vanessa
A nod to the colourful, late 70’s Aussie pub rock scene, Bolster Group has created the Small Town Big Sound campaign; collecting a handful of the nation’s locally adored bands to tour regional Victoria in the latest campaign for TAC’s Vanessa.

When It Comes Brand Building, Less Isn’t Always More
In this guest post, Hulsbosch’s creative director Marcel Wijnen, casts his design eye over what truly makes a brand and says it’s all about being true and essential… To do simple – and to be original – is a truly tough task. Not impossible, but not easy. Naturally, we can get lost in ‘striving for simplicity’ […]

Seven Victorian Charities Join Forces To Light Up Thousands Of Lives With ‘Power Up’ 2021 Campaign
Seven Victorian charities are uniting for a month-long virtual fundraising challenge - Power Up 2021 - between 28th February and 28th March. There’s no denying that 2020 affected everyone, but small charities experienced a huge drop in much needed donations and it is hoped the Power Up campaign will bring fundraising back to life.

South Australian Supermarket Chain Foodland Launches ‘Mighty’ New Campaign, Via KWP!
South Australia’s largest independent supermarket chain, Foodland – with its unforgettable jingle “Foodland, the mighty South Aussies, yeah” – will launch a new campaign on 7th March. The campaign coincides with the chain’s $251m expansion program to open twenty-five new stores, revamp fourty-seven and create 2,500 new jobs over the next five years. Agency KWP! […]

AFG Launches Brand Refresh From The Works Ahead Of Tech Launches
Ahead of major new technology launches, AFG (Australian Finance Group) has unveiled a new brand design, logo and campaign created by The Works.

Client Retentions Boost Carat’s Billings And Solidify Growth
Jim Groves, Managing Director of Carat Perth, announced today a significant growth period for the agency with the retention of three existing clients.

Julie Bishop, Thelma Plum And More: Klarna’s First Aussie Smoooth Session
A-listers turned out to Klarna's Sydney party last night. It did move significantly down the alphabet on B&T's arrival.

The Future Of Post-Pandemic Advertising Or Plain Gross? People Are Freaking Out Over This Racy Menswear Campaign
B&T warns this contains imagery of attractive people in various states of undress. And by "warn" we mean "encourage".

A Win For Privacy Or For Google? Ad Tech Industry Weighs In On Tracking Changes
Here, B&T asks "a win for privacy or for Google?" & you'd pick the splinters out of our arse such was the fence-sitting.

72andSunny Announce New Narratives: Mapping Modern Masculinity Event
72andSunny announces plans for a masculinity event, adding it's not compulsory to do donuts in a ute before attending.

Government Supports ‘Buy Aussie Now’ Marketplace With ‘Tick Of Approval’ For Australian Businesses
B&T always looks to buy Australian, except that is when it comes to sombreros, Shih Tzus or plundered Inca ruins.

Co-Founder Of Eyeota Returns As Head of Brand Solutions AU/NZ
Eyeota, the leading audience technology platform enabling the intelligent use of data, today announced its co-founder, Trent Lloyd, has been appointed Head of Brand Solutions, Australia/New Zealand.

Muval Launches First Broadcast And Digital Advertising Campaign, Targeting ‘Relocation Of The Nation’
Muval is an online booking platform for removalists, despite sounding like a psyllium fibre supplement for constipation.

The Indie Recipe: A Dash Of Agility And A Spoonful Of Adaptation
Here's the recipe for indie agency success! Sadly it doesn't go so far as tips on stealing your competitor's clients.

Clems Melbourne Launches New Content Division
Judging by the press photo, Clems content division enjoy a laugh. Unless they're learning of a colleague's termination?

The Wiggles Mash-Up Tame Impala’s ‘Elephant’ With Iconic Hit ‘Fruit Salad’ For Triple J
The Wiggles have done triple J's 'Like A Version' and, thankfully, no one had a bout of narcolepsy or a heart attack.

Yes, You Can Now Buy Cadbury Creme Egg-Flavoured Beer!
The hot cross bun said to be the ideal accompaniment to Cadbury Creme Egg beer. Followed by a trip to Weight Watchers.

WPP Snares Facebook’s Dave Rolfe For Global Head Of Production Role
Dave Rolfe named WPP's global head of production while confirming he's no relation to convicted sex pest Rolf Harris.

Thursday TV Wrap: Gogglebox Numbers Continue To Climb
With MAFS on hiatus, it was a Steven Bradbury sprint to the line for the networks last night. Sans the silly helmets.

Australian Community News Launches Travel Website
Clearly having not read a newspaper in the past 12 months, Australian Community News announces plans for travel website.

Moccona Launches New “Me-Time” Brand Platform, Via Edge
Moccona's the premium instant coffee of choice at the B&T office. Even if we do refill the jar with International Roast.

Network 10 And Nickelodeon International Partner For First-Time With Live Action Series
Dreading the fast-approaching school holidays? This may be of interest or even a bulk purchase at Dan Murphys.

Introducing The Zavy Social Scoreboard
Get yourself acquainted with the Zavy Social Scoreboard here. Why not mix a martini for added mood and intimacy.

Study: 81% Of Creatives Say COVID’s Hit Their Earnings, 40% Saying It’s More Than Halved
In lieu of the AstraZeneca vaccine, B&T's warding off the pandemic with a Vick's Vapor Rub & a Johnnie Walker & honey.

Priceline Pharmacy Celebrates Every Day Being A Festival of You, Via Whippet
Priceline celebrates the 'festival of you' in latest campaign. Particularly if you stink, itch, secrete or blister.

Foxtel Media Unveils Four New Digitally Enabled Cient Offerings
Miss the Foxtel Group 2021 Showcase yesterday? Watch a video replay of it in full here while pausing for toilet breaks.

“The Free And Open Internet Is A Force For Good”: Quantcast Reveals New Intelligent Audience Platform
On Thursday, Quantcast held their Virtual NOVA event, discussing the current state of the advertising industry, the end of third-party cookies, the open internet vs walled gardens, and data privacy and consent. The event coincided with the launch of their new Quantcast Platform. It is an intelligent audience platform powered by the company’s patented AI […]