Result
One
million people reached throughout the campaign
Result
3,000
people saw the projections live (estimated)
Result
4,500%
increase on projected figures, despite a national lockdown
COVID-19 threatened to ruin Christmas in Blackburn. The vicious virus decimated our plans for 2020 – so we had to come up with a new plan, and quickly.
For several weeks during the summer of 2020, the borough of Blackburn with Darwen was singled out nationally as one of the worst hit areas for the spread of the virus, with news headlines highlighting the segregation of communities.
The ‘Believe in the Magic of Blackburn Town Centre’ programme – originally planned pre-Covid – was reimagined with a goal of bringing together communities, even when that wasn’t physically possible.
Previously agreed plans had to be completely replaced with a dynamic schedule that could flex with the latest government guidance and restrictions.
Engaging with an audience of all ages and interests was key – we achieved this through the content of four animations, projected onto Blackburn Town Hall.
3,635
Participants
including 22 artists, creatives and specialists
They said:
“The team at Viva reacted so swiftly to the changing landscape caused by the pandemic, ultimately turning our plans for a bumper Christmas programme in Blackburn into a series of events which brought our communities together at a time when this wasn’t physically possible.
The borough of Blackburn with Darwen was often singled out nationally as one of the worst hit areas for the spread of Covid-19, with news headlines constantly highlighting the segregation of communities. What we managed to create with Viva’s help, in a matter of weeks, was way beyond what I thought was possible right at the very start.
I honestly feel like the team at Viva slots into my team here. They’re a vital part of what we’re trying to achieve in Blackburn and I’m so grateful for Viva’s support and direction throughout the campaign.
I’m looking forward to Christmas 2021 and what that looks like in our town, because I feel we’ve learned a great deal about creating resilient events and dynamically responding to changing situations in our ‘new normal’.”
Catherine Price, Blackburn Town Centre BID Manager
