TTG has joined thousands of companies around the world in being thrust into a possible ‘future of work’ scenario far sooner than imagined. And in just our first week of all three of our offices across the country working from home, we found we opted to launch video calls over phone calls—simply because we missed seeing our colleagues. We missed the connectivity of a little office banter and the company for a break to grab a mid-morning coffee or lunch.
As the world continues to navigate the uncharted waters of the rapidly evolving COVID19 outbreak, we’ve been flooded with a barrage of news that can feel overwhelming. However, as we watch the world unite during these unprecedented times it reminds us that compassion, generosity, creativity, and resilience are not only important, but essential.
We’ve watched the doors of entertainment venues, theatres, arenas, and museums close, and then invite the world in online—giving everyone the opportunity to experience the magic and wonder of exhibits and attractions. Athletes stepped off the field of play and into the digital arenas of the gaming world, offering fans a chance to test their mettle against their favourite sport heroes. Brands have given new meaning to ‘customer care’ by shifting their focus from sales to public safety, sharing self-care-based content, or adapting their services or manufacturing to put the greater good at the forefront.
We know how powerful an inspiring story can be. We’ve been uncovering and harnessing the power of them for our clients for years. So, amidst these uncertain times we felt we could do our part to bring a little joy to our community by way of compiling and sharing the stories that make us smile throughout the week.
So, as you put on your ‘day PJs’, sit down at your laptop and sip your made-at-home coffee, we hope these stories will inspire everyone to look for ways—big or small—to use your unique talents, skills, or services to make life easier, safer, and brighter for others during these difficult times.
1.Sunwing Airlines Leaves No Canadian Behind
Sunwing Airlines Ltd. is offering up vacant seats on its repatriation flights free of charge to any Canadians stranded in southern destinations due to coronavirus, including to non-Sunwing customers.
2. Save-On-Foods Recognizes Brave Frontline Staff with Wage Increase
Grocery store employees have bravely stepped forward to the frontlines of the COVID19 crisis to ensure Canadians have the essential food and supplies they need. In response to their incredible efforts, the retailer announced a wage increase of $2/hour retroactive to March 8, and encouraged all grocery retailers to take similar action.
3. Staying Connected with AT&T
AT&T have said they won’t terminate service of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer due to an inability to pay their bill as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – and they’re waiving late payment fees for those customers. They have also suspended broadband usage caps for home internet customers, meaning no overage fees while people are home using more data.
4. Disneyland Resort Feeds Food Banks
Disneyland Resort donated excess food inventory from their now closed parks to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
5. U-Haul Steps Up to Help College Students
U-Haul has announced 30 days of free self-storage to all college students who have been impacted by schedule changes at their universities.
6. Free Loom Learning for Teachers and Students
Loom, a video recording and sharing service, has made Loom Pro free for teachers and students at K-12 schools, universities, and educational institutions. They have also removed the recording limit on free plans and have cut the price for Loom Pro in half to ensure students continue to learn from their new classrooms at home.
Spirit of York, like many distilleries in North America, have been using their facilities in Toronto to produce hand sanitizer. They followed WHO specific guidelines to create the product and are selling bottles for $3 each or supplying them for free to older members of the community and those who cannot afford to purchase. All money raised is being donated to local food banks.
8. Roman Abramovich of Chelsea Football Club Cuts Commute Time for Health Workers
Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, will pay for National Health Service (NHS) staff to stay at Chelsea’s Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge for at least the next two months. As a result, those working at NHS facilities in the west London area will be able to stay at the hotel free of charge to avoid long and disrupted commutes home.
9. Tim Hortons Brings Coffee to the Frontlines
Tim Hortons is delivering free coffee to those serving their communities on the front line dealing with COVID19, their first stop of the initiative was to the staff at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.
10. Forbes Helps Businesses Learn How to be Resilient
Forbes hosted a free digital summit on March 20, 2020 under the theme of Business Resilience: Thriving in Crucial Times. The speaker roster included top experts and best-selling authors such as Chris Brogan, Rohit Bhargava, and Dorie Clark. Many of the speakers were slated to speak at the cancelled SXSW this year.
Have you seen an uplifting community story, great brand initiative or just a funny TikTok that made you smile this week? Share them with us on Twitter @TTGtweets or Instagram @TTGPartnerships.