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Creative Comms meets Taskmaster

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Creative Comms meets Taskmaster

Offbeat and absurd, Taskmaster has oodles of inspiration for creative communicators!

In this British comedy panel game show a group of comedians compete in a series of tasks under the watchful eye of Greg Davies and Alex Horne. The tasks vary, from solving riddles to performing bizarre physical challenges, often leading to unexpected results.

The show’s appeal lies in pushing contestants to their creative limits while keeping audiences in stitches. Taskmaster thrives on the contestants’ creativity, quick thinking, and quirky problem-solving abilities. Or, in many instances, a lack of problem-solving ability! Often, the tasks are ‘lo-fi’, which makes it feel real and something people can replicate at home (or work).

We’ve heard comms pros refer to some of our creativity workshops as a bit like ‘Taskmaster’. That might be stretching things a little, but they are good fun and full of activities to get the cogs turning.

So, why not apply the same principles to your role as a communicator? Let’s delve into some Taskmaster-inspired activities that can help you boost your creativity!

 

Bring some random stimulus to the table

Red wax blob illustration with 'Rather than starting with all the complexities of the challenge, simplify it.'

Taskmaster contestants are often confronted with a random set of objects. Rather than starting with all the complexities of the challenge, simplify it and try to generate ideas based on a random piece of stimulus. This could be anything from a movie, a kid’s toy, or anything you like – don’t overthink it. Use it as your springboard to new and innovative ideas. 

 

The art of quick thinking

In Taskmaster, contestants often find themselves in bizarre situations that require lightning-fast thinking. To hone this skill, challenge yourself and your team to a game of “Thirty Second Brainstorm.” Pick a topic, and within 30 seconds, come up with as many creative ideas as possible. This exercise will sharpen your ability to generate ideas on the spot and to park your inhibitions. Limit time, not possibilities.

 

The odd couple Red wax blob illustration with 'When people are thrown together in absurd scenarios, they create strong bonds.'

Taskmaster unites its contestants. When people are thrown together in absurd scenarios, they create strong bonds. Foster teamwork and creativity by organising “odd couple challenges.” Pair up team members with contrasting styles and strengths. The diversity of thought will lead to fresh, creative ideas. Reach beyond the comms team and work with others to create an even richer pool of odd couple inspiration.

 

On the spot

In the show, surprise elements spice up the tasks, and your communication should do the same. Create a “Wildcard Wednesday” where you introduce an unexpected element into your usual routine. Whether it’s an impromptu brainstorming session or a spontaneous team-building game, embrace the unexpected to stimulate creativity. Or run a ‘drill’ on a random stakeholder request. Pick one of those ‘can you just’ tasks you love to hate and have fun with it. Like Taskmaster contestants, comms pros must be ready for anything, no matter how absurd.

 

Ban the boring

Taskmaster tasks often have constraints on activities. Take a familiar initiative or campaign and set a task to come up with ideas and approaches. Set a time limit for the session. Share or write down all things that are banned. Start with something at the project’s core – if you’re considering an employee survey campaign, ban the words ‘employee survey’. Have fun. Banning one aspect forces you to focus on new and different aspects.

 

Compete, create and share! Red wax blob illustration with 'Embrace the unexpected to stimulate creativity.'

Taskmaster encourages friendly competition between contestants. To address your communication challenge, set a brief for your team or stakeholders to create a poster or social image. Although posters may seem outdated, they are a powerful medium to refine and focus your message while creating a strong hero image. Remember the impact that posters had in promoting movies and wartime messages. Timebox the challenge to complete it within a set timeframe. Share all the submissions and ask participants to vote for a winner. This might not be the final piece, but everyone involved will explore and learn about what’s essential in the communication.

 

Taskmaster’s crazy challenges teach us that creativity can thrive in the most unusual circumstances.

Take a page from the show’s book, embrace the unexpected and push your boundaries. You might find yourself turning mundane communication into something magnificent!

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Jo Hobbs — Communications Manager

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Sarah Crowdy — Campaign and Media Officer Communications, South East Water

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Sobha Varghese — Tata Consultancy Services

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Alexander Mills, Communications Manager — South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

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DR ELENI ATHANASAKOS, Lead Paediatric Clinical Scientist — NHS Barts Health

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Kath Evans — Director of Children’s Nursing at Barts Health

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Lianne Springer — Communications and Engagement Lead

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Louise Burnard, Head of Marketing and Communications UK — Be | Shaping the Future

“I think the team have done such a brilliant job, particularly with responding to our requests. It's one of the best mental health videos I've ever seen. Very proud to be associated with your exemplary work. Thank you so much.”

Dr Anna Batho — Clinical Psychologist – Critical Care, UCLH

“We have worked with Alan, Caroline and the wider Alive With Ideas team for many years. In that time, they have provided a dedicated service that is second to none. We appreciate their attention to detail and creative approach to bringing our brand, communications and stories to life. And would recommend them to anyone looking for creative communications support.”

Georgia Beech — Internal Communications Specialist, Ocado Group

“This is brilliant. I wanted to give my heartfelt thanks to all of the team who worked on this. You all understood exactly what we wanted to communicate and why, and then managed to do it in a way that was far better than anything I could have imagined. I’m a bit choked up to be honest!”

Sarah Wright, Head of Communications and Campaigns — NEA

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Alana Khaytin, Communications Specialist — Braskem America

“What I really appreciate about Alive is that they work with us as partners, and care as much about getting it right for our patients as we do.”

Sara Langston, Patient Engagement & Marketing Manager — italk

“Alive are unique in how much they deeply listen and invest in you and your ideas. I have not come across a company that listens as much as they do to ensure your needs are understood and met (actually - they always exceed my needs and expectations). Everyone I recommend Alive to has an equally brilliant experience. When you work with Alive, you are not only getting some genius creativity brought into your life, you are also hanging out with some of the best examples of human beings I’ve ever known.”

Steph Tranter, Hybrid Exec Coach & Psychologist — StephTranter.com

“The (Alive) team were able to creatively pull together and document (in just over 2minutes) everything our service has achieved over the last few months, from thousands of prescriptions deliveries to hundreds of phone calls made to the vulnerable. The final product was so powerful and reflective of what our service has and continues to achieve. It couldn’t have been better received within the service – thanks Alive for once again helping us to communicate our vision!’”

Emma Wright — South Yorkshire & Rescue

“We worked with the team at Alive to create our staff recognition video.
At a time like this, its never been more important to share the amazing work that our staff have done and continue to do on a daily basis under very difficult circumstances. We wanted to shout about this and recognise that when the time came, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue stepped up to the plate. We didn’t want an ordinary thank you post on social media or a basic email sent out internally, we wanted something special. Enter Alive. ”

Emma Wright — South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue

“Our company is fun, we have great brands, but most importantly we’re all about our people – and I wanted an agency who would understand that and help us bring it to life through our website and other comms. Straight away I felt that Alive ‘got’ us and provided the creative inspiration exactly where we needed it, as well as the technical expertise to deliver a well-functioning website.”

Keren McCarron, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications — KP Snacks

“Boom!
Thank you so much. Incredible work done at incredible speed by incredible people.
Outstanding work as ever and what a turnaround. As for the concepts – wow. These are that good it would be an insult to describe them as just good. It’s a joke, quite frankly. This is exactly the Alive effect I was after. Right now I feel like I am living in an Alive With Ideas wonderland. Thank you!”

Jack Grasby, Campaigns Manager — SYFR

“If you are looking to improve creativity and build teamwork, I highly recommend a session like this for your team. No matter where you are in your creativity journey, a workshop like this can give your team a boost of energy and ideas to invigorate their creative thinking.”

Amy Lilja, IC Manager — Hennepin Healthcare

“Alive were there to help when we were working every hour to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. They gave us the creativity, ideas and support we needed to deliver campaigns which empowered our residents in the most difficult time most of us have ever seen, personally and professionally. The team understood what we needed, worked closely with us and delivered fast without any compromise on quality. Working with Alive has been a joy in the darkest of times and I have no doubt will have helped to save lives. Thanks team x”

Julie Odams, Assistant Director of Communications & Customers — Derbyshire County Council

“We got 'Alive' involved to help us shift mindsets across our organisation and they delivered! Using simple, clear and creative ideas the team have delivered us a campaign which has seen a dramatic increase in idea sharing and development. They’ve also played a significant role in creating a culture of shared success. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with again, in fact, we already are!”

Gavin Buckle — B&Q
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