Readers of TheMarioBlog are aware of my corporate communications workshops, where the emphasis is on getting teams of communicators to emphasize a mobile first approach and write/edit and design stories specifically for consumption on the smallest of platforms.
One of my most satisfying projects has been my work with the Walmart Corporate Communications folks, a talented team with base in Bentonville, Arkansas. I feel great pride to show you here some of the best examples of stories done in a linear style to promote various stories for Walmart World.
What we cover in these corporate workshops is not much different from the work we do in newsrooms for newspapers and magazines. I find, however, that corporate communication teams are quicker to apply what they learn, with fewer layers of authority to give them the go ahead for what is a new form of writing/editing/designing. But, indeed, it is the phone or other mobile devices where a majority of consumers get their information. Here is a moment during a presentation at the most recent Walmart workshop I conducted:
Walmart’s Corporate Newsroom: the stories
We have had two workshops with the Walmart Corporate Communication’s team, but already the group is thinking mobile first. Here is what Blake Jackson, Senior Director, Brand Content, wrote me:
I’m seeing and hearing more of the folks on our team leaning into “linear” when thinking through how we tell Walmart’s story. We have a few more recent examples of this approach in practice. Including links below for your review.
Take a look at these stories and how they are structured, in a linear way so that text and visuals are integrated into the narrative as in the sketch below:
Top Ways Walmart Is Changing How Customers Shop
Introducing Our Biggest Grocery Pickup Campaign Yet
Black Friday Behind-The-Scenes: How Associates Pull It Off
Watch This Team of Super Shoppers Crush Their Black Friday Goals
Previously and related:
Digital storytelling and corporate communications
https://www.garciamedia.com/blog/digital-storytelling-and-corporate-communications/
TheMarioBlog post # 2987