Last fall I heard an extraordinary spoken word artist, Canadian slam poet
Shane Koyczan, who uses hip hop style sounds and cadence to engage his
audience with topics that are important. Fast forward to January, when I was
contracted to manage the delivery of a mixed media campaign for BC Transit;
they needed to reinforce the value of taking public transit as an
environmental choice. We wanted to recognize and appreciate the riders and ask
non-riders to consider public transit in a different light. Originally
directed to produce a radio jingle I proposed to use poetry and Shane’s talent
instead to emotionally connect with BC Transit riders and potential riders.
Meanwhile the world was watching BC and at the 2010 Olympics Opening
Ceremonies Shane spoke a poem commissioned by the Canadian Tourism Commission
in 2007, “We are More”. Thanks to that amazing performance it was an easy
decision to ask him to write and perform “Transit Hero”. Shane wrote and
performed the spots within three weeksof my first call to him. The results
have been incredible and I will expand on the way this campaign has touched
not only external audiences but internal as well — creating a sense of pride
and commitment to the planet.
Robyn Quinn, APR has over 15 years experience in both corporate
and consulting roles creating insightful communications strategies
and campaigns for science, technology, environment,the military,
not-for-profit, entertainment, transportation and tourism. She was named
Chair of the School of Communication and Culture Advisory Board of Royal
Roads University in early 2010.
A graduate of Saint Mary’s University (Halifax) and the WorldTrade
Institute (International Marketing and Finance) Robyn is currently in
her second year of Masters in Professional Communication. Robyn is an
accredited member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and
served as the CPRS National President 2004-2005. She is a member of
the Vancouver Island Technology Council and an active national member of
the Professional Writers Association of Canada and the Science Writers
Association of Canada. Robyn received the 2007 Don Rennie Award for
Excellence in Government Communications while with Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency (NS) for the launch of the Immigrant Entrepreneur
Guide to Nova Scotia. In 2008 Robyn co-chaired National Science and
Technology Week for BC and the Yukon. Her current clients include museums,
public transit, software and app developers and hydrogen fuel technology
leaders.
She lives in Victoria with her son Evan and two mini wiener dogs and
tries to golf whenever it isn’t raining.
