It’s back! Oscars buzz is stirring once again and like last year, we’re delving into the backgrounds of some of the biggest movies, stars and soundtracks to find out how each one has a bigger chance of winning and how their achievements and developments link to marketing in 2015.
This year, we’re focusing on American Sniper, Gone Girl, Foxcatcher, Boyhood and The Lego Movie.
Without a doubt there are a lot of close contenders at the 87th Annual Academy Awards, screened on February 22nd in Los Angeles, but we can also take a lot of advice from some of the worthy nominees…
6 Lessons to Learn From the 2015 Oscars Nominees
1. Controversy doesn’t have to be a bad thing – be bold
Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper as faced some controversy and mixed reviews because of its very subject matter – the Iraq war and the story of ‘the most lethal sniper in US history’, Chris Kyle, who was killed by a veteran he was trying to help in 2013.
In marketing, controversy is something a lot of smaller agencies and companies attend to avoid – who wants to get into that trouble?
Some major brands, however, thrive during times of controversy – after all controversy = free publicity for the likes of Apple and Starbucks.
Although we don’t recommend you do something controversial, there is nothing wrong with being bold, telling stories, taking risks and stepping outside that box known as “the comfort zone”.
Eastwood’s story and Bradley Cooper’s portrayal is a cinematic experience that enthralls, but the Iraq war remains a topic shrouded in controversy, yet it doesn’t make this film any less brilliant in its directing, acting and editing.
Why not organise that event you really want to do but ‘daren’t’ for fear of failing or a fear of public speaking?
Arrange to have that meeting with the marketing agency that has great ideas for an animation, but you’ve never done it before so have been ‘avoiding it’.
Choose to go to that networking event and just dip your feet in, say hello to a few people, introduce your company and get yourself heard in small ways, before you make those huge changes in your company marketing.
We dare you!
The Award: Best Picture (Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooper and Peter Morgan)
2. Being clever is great – but use the power wisely
The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne as genius, Stephen Hawking, was a huge success at the cinemas and is tipped for huge recognition at the Oscars.
However, in business we need to take a step back and:
1) Recognise talent when we see it
2) Use talented employees (or our own talent) in the best way – don’t let it wilt
3) Never let talent, ego or ambition overpower us and end up becoming a negative element
We’re not for a second suggestion that Stephen Hawking, or this portrayal does such a thing, but it does raise questions about just how power and genius can be shown and, indeed, used.
Allow your employees to shine in their respected fields and encourage growth, training and development to harness the raw talent in your company.
The Award: Best Picture (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce and Anthony McCarten)
3. Brands are defining – what does yours say?
Foxcatcher, based on a true story, sees Steve Carell redefine everything that has previously been tagged to his name.
He is no longer the nerdy star of The 40 Year Old Virgin or portraying the goofy, but lovable, super villain Gru, from Despicable Me. Instead he is intense and unmissable in his portrayal of the wrestling-obsessed millionaire John du Pont.
Foxcatcher is a career-redefining moment for Carell and the impressive acting from all three stars (Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo) makes for a crime drama worth watching.
Carell has always played his goofy, comic persona well, but with the physical transformation and mature, intense character of du Pont that he plays, the cards are off the table.
It’s mindful to be aware in business that brands are defining and once you’ve got your brand built up it’s hard to steer away from it. Although, with growth and time, you can steer away from it.
How long ago did you redefine your brand? Are you still the same company and do you hold the same ethos as you did then?
Consider how Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher changes your perception of Steve Carell as an actor and consider how the public perceive your brand and how you perceive yourself.
The Award: Actor in a Leading Role (Steve Carell, Foxcatcher)
4. Plan everything – strategy is key
If you’re the only person on the planet not to have read Gone Girl or seen it on the big (or small) screen, then we won’t ruin it for you.
However, Rosamund Pike’s portrayal of Amy Elliott Dunne, wife of Nick and how her diary follows the events leading up to her mysterious disappearance and presumed murder, at the hands of husband, Nick.
As captivating as the story is – both in words and on screen – the key element remains her diary and how the written word plays such a huge importance in the murder investigation and how the childhood books Amy’s parents wrote impacted Amy herself growing up.
Planning, strategy and content are huge in marketing – as they are in business. It pays to strategise and it’s massively important in 2015 to consider content marketing and how they all tie in to form a brand, a marketing plan and future growth plans.
Although diaries (particularly ones like Amy’s in Gone Girl) aren’t helpful from a marketing point of view, business planning and content marketing are hugely relevant as Google looks increasingly warmly towards content-heavy companies, over SEO-focused ones in search engine results.
The Award: Actress in a Leading Role (Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl)
5. Make that element shine if it’s the best you’ve got!
We’ve all got positives and negatives in our company, we’re all better at something and worse at something and we all prefer to do certain things over others.
Fans of The Lego Movie were hugely disappointed to discover that the only award their film was up for was in the Original Song category for (the unbelievably catchy) 'Everything is Awesome' soundtrack.
Of course, in our work we should be mindful that the one standout element of our company should be the USP in our marketing strategy. Are your marketing team excelling most of all? Use that! Is your Electric Juicer your best selling product? Use the information to sell other products! Is your Sales Manager a great public speaker? Encourage them to help with the next event and sell, sell, sell!
You have to accept that although there may be weaknesses, ‘could do betters’ and maybe even flaws, there are still positives, USPs and key features of your company to use to your advantage.
Focus on what is going well and work on what isn’t going so well… at the end of the day, everything really is awesome if we work at it…
The Award: Music - Original Song ("Everything Is Awesome" from THE LEGO MOVIE - Music and Lyric by Shawn Patterson)
6. Recognition isn’t the be all and end all
Patricia Arquette has had a long, successful career, but it is Boyhood that is giving her the biggest recognition of her career to date.
Consistently giving good performances as the long running protagonist of TV show, Medium, from 2005-2011, Arquette has long been recognised in showbiz circles.
However, she has only ever won one major award, an Emmy for her part in Medium, in 2005, until Boyhood came along.
Already the winner of a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award, for her part in Boyhood, there are whispers of a triple whammy, as the Oscars loom.
We don’t always get recognition and often it comes when we least expect it, but it’s important to maintain a consistent performance and reputation as a solid company, with a strong track record.
Even if a glitzy award is never won, just being part of the race and known for your solid leadership, consistent sales results or eagerness as an employee to help is just as rewarding, if you allow it to be.
The Award: Actress in a Supporting Role (Patricia Arquette, Boyhood)
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