Overview (SC-VCPR)

As our global media landscape changes, think tanks that hope to have an impact on both policy decisions and public opinion must engage their audiences in diverse ways. Video has become an increasingly critical part of a comprehensive think tank communications strategy. When used well, video can be an effective way to communicate ideas through powerful stories and images that influence a wide range of audiences – from policy makers and experts to the general public.

However, due to a lack of internal capacity and limited resources, many think tanks struggle with video and remain unsure how to take advantage of its many strengths. This course aims to arm think tankers and researchers with knowledge and strategies that will allow them to confidently manage the production and distribution of high-quality videos about their work.

The life cycle of any video is typically broken down into three phases: pre-production (the idea is conceived and a plan is created), production (the video is created), and distribution (the video is disseminated in accordance with a well-laid strategy). This short course covers all three phases during two sessions. The first focuses on pre-production and introduces production. The second session finishes the discussion of the production process and then focuses on distribution.

Resources

The background note produced for this course explores these issues further and gives readers access to further resources.

Selected articles:

  • Doemeland, Dante and James Trevino. Which World Bank Reports Are Widely Read? The World Bank, Development Economics Vice Presidency, Operations and Strategy Unit. May 2014.
  • Schwartz, John. A Permanent Revolution in Think Tank Communications. On Think Tanks. 24 February 2017.

Contact

If you would like to find out more about the OTT School's learning opportunities, please email us: school@onthinktanks.org