Nonprofits, are you ready for your moment in the spotlight? The 88th Academy Awards air Feb. 28 and the world will be watching. (Also, some of the world WON’T be watching, in an #OscarsSoWhite protest over the lack of diversity among nominees in the top acting categories.)
Watching or not, film will be the center of attention surrounding the event, and nonprofits have a huge opportunity to connect with this moment and steal a slice of limelight, also known as newsjacking.
CONNECT WITH THE ISSUES
Think you can’t connect with the Oscars? Let’s look at the issues explored in this year’s nominees:
The Big Short -Financial reform
Bridge of Spies – Right to fair trial
Brooklyn – Immigration
Mad Max: Fury Road – Women’s rights
The Martian – Science
The Revenant – Wilderness and wildlife
Room – Violence against women
Inside Out – Mental health
Spotlight – Child abuse
The Danish Girl, Carol – LGBT rights
Steve Jobs – Entrepreneurism
Trumbo – Freedom of expression
That’s a lot of angles and issues! And that’s just from the nominated films. Even films that didn’t receive nominations (some say snubbed), like Straight Outta Compton, Concussion, and Woman in Gold, are worth exploring for the attention they draw to their respective issues.
If you think of other angles and films, add a comment!
SOME TACTICS TO TRY
From one tweet, to a little Photoshop shenanigans, to your own star-studded gala, here are a few tactics to try and connect with the Oscars.
Blog Posts
Oscars past and present, and film in general, are fair game for blog posts in Oscar season. Check out these blog posts (and a press release) from Amnesty International USA and Edutopia:
5 Oscar Winning Films That Stood on the Side of Justice
Oscar Nomination for Zero Dark Thirty Underscores Need to Release Senate Torture Report
Oscar Week Resources: 7 Teaching Resources on Film Literacy
Simple, Striking Infographics
Oh, the speeches are GOLD MINES of content. Even if YOU can’t make this kind of infographic, or make it quickly, you can share it, if you are looking for it. Check the trending sections of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for rising content on Oscars night.
Photoshop Shenanigans
Remember that epic Ellen Oscar’s selfie? You can bet there will be other moments like this upon which to work your Photoshop magic.
This is how I LIVE UNITED with Ellen and a few friends! @TheEllenShow #Oscars2014 #LiveUnited #Selfie @UWSWA pic.twitter.com/98fckfVcjT
— Alan H Turner II (@AHTurner2) March 3, 2014
Highlight Celebrity Connections
The spotlight shines not only on nominees and winners, but also on presenters. Here Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation shows its connection to both.
Put Your Own Spin On It
The social media team at NASA had a blast with #RealGravity:
Congrats to #Gravity for another win at the #Oscars2014 for best director! Here’s a #RealGravity look at sunset pic.twitter.com/Innj6UAlAC — NASA (@NASA) March 3, 2014
Host Your Own Oscars
One and Accountability Lab are teaming up for the third year in a row to host its own oscar-themed voting contest in the Honesty Oscars, now with a branded microsite. 
Host Your Own Oscar Party
Several orgs host galas and watching parties to benefit their cause on Oscar night, including STAND! For Families Free of Violence H/T @lisa_sherrill) and Academy of Friends. 
RESOURCES
Need more inspiration, instruction, resources? Here you go:
Check Out This Pinterest Board
(Pin with me for this year’s Oscars…send an email to kk@companykmedia.com.)
Follow the Oscars Hashtag
The main hashtag will be #Oscars2016. Also check the trending sections on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Follow Those in the Know on Twitter
@Oscars_Live
@TheAcademy
@IMDb
https://twitter.com/TedHope/lists/film-journalists/members
(Add your go-to Oscar night Twitter accounts and lists in comments)
Read More
5 Lesson Nonprofits Can Learn From the Oscars https://www.nonprofithub.org/nonprofit-branding/5-lessons-nonprofits-can-learn-from-the-oscars/
5 Nonprofits That Newsjacked Facebook During the Oscars https://www.johnhaydon.com/5-nonprofits-that-newsjacked-facebook-during-the-oscars/
#OscarsSoWhite and the Boycott of the Academy Awards https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2016/01/20/oscarssowhite-and-the-boycott-of-the-academy-awards/
Connect as Powerfully as Lupita Nyong’o: Messages Matter @ Oscars & Nonprofits https://gettingattention.org/2014/03/oscars-nonprofit-messages-2/
From the Olympics to the Oscars: Nonprofit Newsjacking Gold https://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2014/03/07/from-the-olympics-to-the-oscars—non-profit-newsjacking-gold
Got an example or resource to share? Add it to the comments section.
