AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS: HOW TO BRING ABOUT REAL CHANGE
Some messages aim to sell a product or service, whilst others seek to achieve something different: to inform, raise awareness and, in many cases, bring about change in society. This is the aim of awareness-raising campaigns, a communication tool used by companies, institutions, associations and organisations to shine a spotlight on issues that need to be known and understood. These may include, for example, accident prevention, environmental protection, equality, responsible consumption or cyber security. Virtually any field may require a campaign of this kind. But getting a message across does not necessarily mean it will have an impact on the public. What are awareness campaigns? Awareness campaigns are communication initiatives designed to increase a public’s knowledge and awareness of a specific issue. Their aim may simply be to inform, but they often also seek to change perceptions, encourage certain behaviours or mobilise society. To achieve this, as well as explaining that a problem exists, a good campaign must find a way to turn an issue that may seem distant or complex into something that is close to home and relevant to people. That is why, before launching a campaign, it is important to answer a few questions: who are we aiming to reach? What do we want them to understand? What message might spark their interest? And, above all, what do we hope will happen next? From the message to the communication strategy Awareness campaigns can take many different forms. There is no single formula, but they do tend to combine several actions: it is essential that all these elements form part of the same strategy and that the narrative remains consistent. The role of communications agencies An organisation has a thorough understanding of the cause, the problem or the area about which it wishes to raise awareness, but conveying this to the public requires finding the right approach, language and channels. Agencies can help transform technical or institutional information into understandable stories, identify which aspects are of greatest news interest, select priority media and audiences, and coordinate the various channels. Furthermore, an awareness-raising campaign needs to strike a balance between grabbing attention and avoiding scaremongering – in other words, stirring emotions without losing credibility. When the public perceives exaggeration, opportunism or a tone that is too sales-driven, the message can lose its impact. Ultimately, awareness campaigns are about getting other people to understand why an issue should matter to them too. To achieve this, a good communication strategy can ensure that the message is truly heard.



















