Coronavirus: Crises offer opportunities for change
The event agency Bright Entertainment has reacted to the Federal Council's ban on events with more than 1000 people with measures. They are trying to make the best of the current situation and, above all, to keep a cool head.
While I'm waiting to connect with Markus Walder, Managing Director of the live communications agency Bright Entertainment, the Monty Python song "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" is playing in the background. But that's a coincidence, not even Bright Entertainment could come up with such a fitting dramaturgy under the sign of Corona and look exclusively on the bright side. The agency strives to recognize the opportunities in the current situation and to proactively seize them.
At the moment, however, a great deal of concern about the industry dominates, as Markus Walder says. "Most customers do not want to or can only partially talk about LiveCom projects at the moment, let alone decide on them, because they are very busy with other internal company measures." Bright Entertainment has therefore thought about possible preparatory measures after the Federal Council's decision on February 28 and submitted the pre-announcement for short-time work at the end of last week "Whether and to what extent we will make use of this is still open at the moment. We see these measures as a hedging buffer and responsible action."
"In any case, we have to come up with something as well as the whole industry." Bright Entertainment continues to work specifically on all existing projects, is in close dialogue with customers and is developing further new event formats. The company is also in close contact with partners and service providers and is looking for medium- and longer-term solutions - all in the spirit of "bundling competencies and forces."
However, there is no need to sugarcoat anything. The situation is serious. Nevertheless, Bright Entertainment is trying to react to the Corona scenario to some extent with the motto "crisis as opportunity". "We will either have to make use of short-time work or come up with something to get back 'back to normal' in a time-shifted manner, hopefully in the second half of the year."
And what is expected from the Federal Office of Public Health on March 15, regarding the ongoing ban on events of more than 1000 people? "We assume that the ban will be continued, because from our point of view it would be reckless not to do so. Responsible action is required in all matters and at all levels. If the situation permits, we are in favor of certain relaxations of the ban. However, these relaxations should be made throughout Switzerland - "Cantonalism has no place here." Relaxations are one thing, but the attitude of our customers and the individual decision-makers is another. It now takes time and, above all, prudence.
Most trade fairs and major events have been canceled. That probably makes a lot of sense, since most of the visitors come to these events from abroad. "Nobody wants ghost fairs or events," says Markus Walder. Bright Entertainment is preparing for the time after Corona and is ready.
