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Sport has dominated the news this month with the Olympics generating many stories of tragedy and triumph. I was surprised to learn that the Olympics used to have categories for creative endeavours as well sports. From 1896 to 1948, architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture were all Olympic events. This made me wonder if anyone had won medals in both sport and creative discplines. Enter “The Hungarian Dolphin” Alfréd Hajos, who won two swimming events in Athens (1896) and an architectural medal for designing a stadium in Paris (1924). When asked where he learned to swim so well, the Dolphin replied, “In the water”. Which is as good a droll understatement as I’ve ever heard.
This month’s selection of articles and resources has a sporting theme and a gentle reminder that it is still tax time. It also includes a link to one of the most effective ad campaigns I’ve seen in a while. As always, if you have a comment or a suggestion, I’d love to hear from you.
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All-nighters in a darkened room now considered to be training
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in Saudi Arabia. This article in The Conversation looks at some of the tricky questions around esports inclusion, not least that competitive video games are the exclusive property of the companies who own the intellectual property rights and, therefore, could refuse its integration into the Olympic Games program. Esports could include multi-player games that involve teams, individual shooter-type games, and those that simulate traditional sports like football. Each game has its own dedicated community of players and its own competitive ecosystem. Games can go out of fashion relatively quickly, and then there is the question of the violence inherent in many games, which would contradict the values of the Olympics. I wonder if there will be men’s, women’s and non-binary events and para-esports competitions?
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Amazonification (31 points in Scrabble)
Submissions to the Federal government’s inquiry into the state of the Australian music industry have focused on the financial inequalities musicians face. Recommendations have included a 24-hour Australian music channel, a basic income pilot, a minimum rate per gig, quotas for Australian content on streaming services and the implementation of “Michael’s Rule” that every overseas artist must have an Australian support appearing on the same stage as them. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) told the inquiry that the Australian live music industry is experiencing “Amazonification” by the dominance of US live entertainment company Live Nation and its main competitor TEG, whose vertical supply chains allow them to profit from control of ticketing, festivals agencies and venues. In this Guardian article, MEAA claims that while the average musician in Australia earns only $6,000 per year, state and federal governments in Australia have given Live Nation $22 million in the past 4 years, and its global profit was $55 million.
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Some learnings on workplace language
According to a survey by ABC Podcast This Working Life, the gold medal for most hated workplace jargon goes to “deep dive”, silver to “that’s a great question,” and bronze, ahead of a vast field of possibles, was awarded to “reach out”. In the episode titled “Why We Love and Hate Jargon at Work, ” guest academics discuss how workplace jargon, often associated with higher-status roles and professions, is used to cultivate a sense of belonging and a shared language that fosters camaraderie. Overdoing it, as well as we know, fosters confusion and cynicism. My vote for the most brazen use of jargon to obscure meaning and avoid accountability was Boeing labelling that famous incident where the door came off the plane in flight as a “quality control escape”.
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Heard of Booktowns?
A Booktown (17 Scrabble points) is a small rural town or village, close to major cities, in which second-hand and antiquarian bookshops are concentrated. Most Booktowns have developed in villages of historic interest or of scenic beauty. The concept began in the 1960s with the UK town of Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh border initiated by its eccentric resident and bookseller Richard Booth MBE who wanted to enliven his small rural community by establishing a ‘town of bookshops’. Australia’s first Booktown is Southern Highlands (a anthology of towns, really). Featherston is Aotearoa New Zealand’s Booktown with five second-hand bookshops, an annual literary festival, a rural reader’s outreach program and a scheme to donate books to local school children. Some people travel for the wineries, but I fancy a day out to a Booktown. Preferably, both.
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How assumptions become reality
A well-made ninety second ad beats a one-hour documentary any day. Have a look at this ad for ASSUME THAT I CAN | World Down Syndrome Day 2024 . Down Syndrome actor Madison Tevlin speaks to camera, challenging list of stereotypes and limitations placed on people living with Down Syndrome by others. “Hey teacher,” she says, “you assume I can’t understand Shakespeare, so you don’t teach me Shakespeare … your assumption becomes my reality.” Powerful storytelling.
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Resources
- From July 1, more than 150,000 non-charitable Not For Profits that self-assess as income tax exempt must comply with the strict new reporting regulations. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has released an interactive online Charity Registration Check designed to help organisations to assess their eligibility to be registered as a charity and assist those already registered to check their ongoing entitlement.
- Two international residency opportunities for Australian writers and one for artists working in all forms are open until September 3, details at Creative Australia.
- Do creative workers fear and avoid tax time more than the average worker? Tax Time for Creatives unravels some of the key tax jargon and their June webinar is still available to watch.
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Things to do this month
- Take a look at your website. Does it need a refresh? Ask some trusted customers for some honest feedback.
- Also, think about your other marketing materials: cred decks, handouts, promo video. What recent achievements can you highlight? Do your photos need an update?
- Is your current marketing strategy working as well as it could? Get some expert advice on updating your marketing messages and channels.
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