When we think of the word "Revolution" we think of the American, French, and maybe one or two more select instances. I was lucky enough to meet a man who had first hand experiences of one of the most recent, and amazing, revolutions. The Egyptian Revolution. People were spurred to action through the use of popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter while the Egyptian media remained quiet in a cover-up attempt. The fact that the world's political climate can change through the use of social media sites that we use to communicate to consumers with was absolutely incredible to hear about. It was most certainly an aspect of social media I needed to be brought to light about.
CNN ain't got nothin' on the stories told to us by the Egyptian Filmmaker Amr Salama.
This guy has been kidnapped for producing work the government didn't approve of, for chrissake. (And the badass escaped on his own.)
He is a very well known Egyptian Filmmaker that began producing his own movies at the age of 19. We were introduced to some of his work, learned his biography and background, and then he treated us to a Q and A session.
The description by Amr of the current climate of Egypt is one of excitement but also one of panic. They have a completely new identity to mold. He told us that people can "smell the freedom and liberty in the air." They have a new constitution to create, a new leader to elect, and a new mindset to implement. It's an intensely interesting time for Egypt in the eyes of an outsider.
One of the teacher's asked about the recent Egyptian revolution and how he was affected by it. It turns out that he was one of the main driving forces behind the HUGE social media effect. He tweeted locations to rally to his fellow citizens and he coordinated many an effort against the tyrannical government at the time.
I asked him what areas of his work have been censored throughout his career in Egypt. The answers he gave me were astonishing. Even the slightest criticism of the government is strictly forbidden. Anything to do conflicting with the Muslim religion is also not tolerated. Which lead him to telling us not to take any of the freedoms we have in the Western World for granted.
I think his message really hit home.
He also talked about advertising in Egypt before and after the revolution. His message was, "If you don't believe in your product, don't advertise for it." He said that corporations that do advertise for products that don't take the greater good of society as a primary responsibility are evil. I couldn't agree more. Every brand needs to find a social cause that works for them and believe in it. Without one, they serve no means to advancing civilization, which is what I believe advertising to be all about.
Overall, Amr's message was intensely powerful. It really encouraged me to look around at what I have every single day at home and not to take those things for granted.
Until tomorrow.
Excellent posts. I think Simon was talking about culture, not government. What I was trying to do, in getting David and Amr to talk to us, was to present views on advertising from folks outside the industry. Hope it worked. And, as I said, good thoughtful posts on your part.
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