Ask yourself this question: How much time do you spend in nature? If you live in the city chances are that your answer will be “not a lot”. Although I live close to a fairly large park I have to admit I don’t go there as much as I could. David Bond also asked himself this question, but not for him, but for his children. He saw that his children were spending more and more time indoors, looking at TV’s and the screens of phones and tablets. It is something I sometimes worry about as well with my children. When the youngest one asks to watch TV and gets a no, the next question will be if she can play on a tablet. I guess it is what she sees looking at the rest of the family and it is something I am very aware of. Luckily I know that if I suggest to do other things or even call her while she is watching TV she will want to do that, but it is something that a lot of parents will struggle with. Bond decided he wanted to do something about it and try to get his children and those around the UK interested in the outdoors more, naming himself the Marketing Director for Nature. The question is how you would be able to make nature appealing to children who get immediate pleasure from television and the internet?
His journey is a compelling one. He sets up shop in his shed and starts asking questions why we don’t spend as much time enjoying nature anymore. When he was growing up he used to be outside all the time, why aren’t his children? As we have grown up have we become more afraid to let them explore in the “dangerous world” outside our houses or are there other forces at play? Through conversations with experts he starts to understand more about the subject and has set himself a goal to make an ad campaign stimulating families to be wild and go outside. His self made logo is quickly dismissed and with the generous help of a lot of experts in marketing his campaign starts to take shape. It is an inspiring look at how a small idea can get picked up if you are willing to put in the time and research. During a bootcamp he receives a lot of good ideas, which he then discusses with parents, children and teachers. Websites, ads and even an app is created to “sell” something which is free and can be enjoyed with just a few steps outside (as he puts it as Marketing Director for Nature, if you see a flower growing out of the concrete his “company” has put it there).
As a film it is a fun watch as there is a good mix of exploring the marketing, getting feedback from children, seeing the effects on his family and learning more about nature. It is also the story of trying to succeed against the odds. As a parent it inspired me to be more active with my children. The app that was created as part of this project gives you ideas how to make a walk to nature fun, even if you only have limited time to go outdoors. So if you feel you might want to change your life and/or that of your children and make them more interested in nature then this documentary might be very inspiring.
