Virtual reality homelessness for CEOs – the chasm between intent and outcome
Those who participate in CEO Sleepout do so with the right motivations. But if a single clumsy Tweet can undermine the image of the project so badly, there are wider issues, including the image problem that the big end of town has in the eyes of the public, argues Mumbrella’s Tim Burrowes.
Seven weeks ago, I had one of the most confronting and unpleasant Friday nights of my privileged middle-class existence.
In the scheme of things, compared to what many people in Australia and around the world go through, it was a tame experience, but the effects lingered long after the night in question was over.
At the invitation of media industry foundation Un Ltd, which Mumbrella has supported for some time, I joined a group of bosses from agencies and media companies for the Whitelion Bailout.
It was a concept not dissimilar to that of the CEO Sleepout, but focused on the issues that lead to juvenile detention.
great to hear about your experience Tim. We are bloody fortunate to work in an industry that has its own purpose built social impact collective (UnLtd) that represents all of us in improving the lives of young people in need. Every company and individual in advertising and media can join the UnLtd movement where intent & outcome is what it’s all about.
It’s a tricky one. I can see how people view the motivations suspiciously. But to some extent executives are like like tiny celebrities and will get ‘judged’. I dont justify it but I can observe it to be the case. I hope the mini judgement isn’t enough to stop them sleeping out and doing other actions that aim to improve the lot of others.
Hi Tim,
I totally agree that the VR tweet was ‘tone deaf’ – trying to leverage a significant and serious social issue to promote new technology was a very bad call – however it’s such a shame that this poor social media execution has brought criticism and vilification of this fundraising event. I have been involved in the CEO Sleepout in Wollongong since its inception – every year we hear first hand from people who have experienced homelessness and also from Vinnies workers and volunteers who share stories from the frontline of domestic violence, poverty and homelessness in our community. Our local business community has raised more than $500k for homeless people in our region since the Sleepout began – and I’m really proud of that. I can assure you that the participants take the issue seriously and are seeking to make a difference by raising not only funds, but awareness of this growing issue in our community.
Hi Timmy – I did the sleepout this year. The VR experience was supposed to give context not replace the experience ( my interpretation) it wasn’t perfect but it did give some context to the how people could end up in the situation. Mental health issues, marriage breakdown, job loss. Many of us are not that far away from the potential, is it two pay cycles or something? 1 in 3 Australians suffer mental health issues and 50% of marriages end in divorce given the numbers it seems entirely plausible that it could be any one of us at any given time. The event was a bunch of people trying to raise money and awareness of this growing crisis. Well intentioned definitely, perfectly executed definately not. Worth tearing down intentional raising of millions of $$ to help the homeless nope. What can I say about the night? It was really cold and so was the soup. Cardboard and concrete don’t make for a great networking event but I’m not sure that those who suggested that were actually there. Is it a bit paternalistic, trite and worthy to feel good about raising money for the homeless probably but really who cares if the money helps someone and builds empathy for those who need help.
I was there last Thursday night.
There were three very harrowing accounts from previously homeless people explaining how they became homeless and what Vinnies had done to help them. I, like most there, was very moved by those accounts.
The VR experience I saw simulated a 7yo witnessing his or her mother suffer domestic violence at the hands of the 7yo’s father.
The tweet wasn’t great, but in my view the CEO Sleepout has raised $40m over 12 years to help Vinnies help the homeless, and most of the people I have met at the Sleepouts I have done: (a) are there for the right reasons; (b) are moved by the experiences they hear about; and (c) raise real money to help our most desperate fellow Australians.
This PR aftermath is untidy, but I hope it results in a further increase in awareness about homelessness and more positive action in response.
‘1479 CEO’s $5,180,415 raised’
Not all, but some, if not many (larger orginisations), of the CEO’s represented at this ‘sleep out’ employ internal staff and use 3rd parties to help them minimise their companies’ tax. We are talking vast networks of people, which includes big teams at the big four, all working Mon-Fri (sometimes weekends and many, many, many, (wow they work them hard), many, many hours), to help these companies avoid paying tax. Every little loop hole that they can navigate, they do. Every cent is accounted for. Not too different to our PM, from the factual information you can freely obtain (he has funds in The Cayman’s for crying out loud!!?)
Lets be honest here. The fact that a ‘CEO sleep out’ actually exists is testament to what a bunch of shysters many of these CEO’s and their senior leadership teams really are. PAY YOUR TAX YOU THIEVING BASTARDS!
Oh and to the politicians who squander our tax dollars: STOP THIEVING YOU VILE SCUMBAGS.
Sorry for shouting, the facts don’t lie. (Sadly.) Australia is great; it’s amazing! It could be far better. So many legacies are in tatters, when these humans could be remembered for being decent. They won’t be, if you behave like a shyster, you will be remembered as one.
In the photo above firstly you don’t get to fingerprint yourself, they do it for you. Secondly you don’t get a wet wipe after it’s done to clean your hands. Also if you smile in your photo and you have a lower ranked officer taking it, after they show the picture to their Sergeant you’ll have to take another one not smiling.