Project Summary
A high-level assessment of the project and how it demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver high quality projects based on the services rendered.
Project Details (Points/Writeup)
A high-level assessment of the project and how it demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver high quality projects based on the services rendered.
Services:
• Brand Development
• Digital Transformation
• Image Management
• Innovation & Insights
• Social Media Management
Client:
Guardian Group
Industry:
Financial
Date:
2022
The Challenge | Scenario
With all the challenges that Covid-19 brought to people around the world, it intensified feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety for many. Economically, it has disrupted the livelihoods and employment prospects of a large proportion of the global workforce, exacerbating the need for some answers that would alleviate the challenges that they faced.
What made the situation even more alarming was that in most countries, there was more of a focus on the economic impact of the pandemic and an absence of response or initiatives to address this equally important issue of mental health.
The Solution
In order to address the devastating long term effects on mental and financial health in the Caribbean, Ross | ReThink collaborated with Guardian Group, to create and introduce a solution that would be freely accessible to the public through a live-streamed online initiative called Happytalism.
The concept of Happytalism was initially founded by Jayme Illien and Luis Gallardo as a new economic and human development philosophy and paradigm based on happiness and well-being, endorsed by the United Nations in 2006.
Ross | ReThink, Using its award-winning Intangience™ methodology, further developed the concept into a pan-Caribbean initiative, sponsored by Guardian Group. Together, they connected the best resources in positivity and the science of happiness to design an initiative to help alleviate the emotional and financial challenges posed by the pandemic.
The Guardian Group-sponsored Happytalism initiative live-streamed insightful online workshops conducted by Dr Tal Ben Shahar, best selling author, esteemed Harvard Lecturer and global icon on positivity and happiness; Mohit Mukherjee, founder of the UPEACE Centre for Executive Education; and Ernie Ross, Founder of Ross | ReThink and creator of the Intangience™ methodology.
Beginning March 1st, 2022, the three-month Happytalism live-streamed programme was led by Dr Tal Ben Shahar, who shared amazing insights on achieving happiness and building emotional resilience in the most difficult times. Also providing an incredible blueprint for designing ‘the life you want’ by introducing tools such as Appreciative Inquiry, was Executive Director for the United Nations founded University for Peace, Mohit Mukherjee. And for the business and branding aspects of this programme, we took a deep dive with Ernie Ross, Lead Innovator and creator of the trademarked Intangience methodology, as he took participants through the importance of a value driven and purpose centric approach for businesses of any size or kind, to connect with their customers.
Results
Approximately 4,000 people registered to be a part of Happytalism initiative, this freely-gifted Caribbean based series hosted by Guardian Group. With immense coverage and interest on traditional and digital media, including special mention on CNN, Happytalism has been instrumental in helping thousands of people in the Caribbean to experience a paradigm shift from uncertainty to optimism. https://sponsorcontent.cnn.com
Participants of this initiative received advice, tips and profound insights on becoming more emotionally resilient, happier in their personal lives and as a bonus, even how to become financially better disposed, both in the operations and promotion of their careers or businesses, whether they be small, medium-sized or large.
A CNN article cited Guardian Group Chief Executive Officer at the time, Ravi Tewari, who envisaged the urgent need for the initiative, as saying, “It underscores what we felt – that people need the support through these challenging times more than ever. I’m grateful that the Happytalism initiative is contributing in a meaningful way.”
Head of Group Branding and Communications at Guardian Group, Ayesha Boucaud-Claxton, who leads the initiative, described how moved she has been by the success of the initiative: “We anticipated that the Happytalism initiative would impact the lives of many, but the response has exceeded expectations and the testimonials are heartwarming. To know we touched one life significantly is enough, but to have thousands echoing the benefits … such a humbling sense of accomplishment.”
https://myguardiangroup.com/community-connections/happytalism-recap
This initiative has proven yet again that by careful observation and understanding the need for psychological and business-orientated support, individuals and organisations alike can play a significant role in providing the calibre of resources that can meet the urgent needs of the region’s people in these crucial times.
Ross | Rethink in collaboration with Guardian Group won the coveted Best of Show Award and one Gold Angel Award topping its category throughout the entire American Advertising Federation 4th District, for its exemplary public service work with Happytalism, at the 5th Annual American Advertising 4th Federation District Angel Awards ceremony in Florida.
2022
