Franklin, Andrews, Kramer & Edelstein

[scion]

Leave it to a Canadian ad campaign to deliver the most inspiring message of this U.S. election

By Colby Itkowitz October 17 at 5:26 PM
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/10/17/leave-it-to-canada-to-remind-america-that-its-still-a-great-country/?tid=hybrid_experimentrandomuk_2_na

Oh, Canada. You’re making us blush.

Our ever-friendly neighbors to the north have watched from afar a U.S. election cycle that has broken all norms for civility. It’s created tremendous stress and surfaced deep tensions within our society. For many, it’s been disheartening and demoralizing to watch. But Canadians are here to offer a sympathetic message to lift Americans’ spirits.

Riffing off Donald Trump’s slogan, the Garden, a creative agency in Toronto, launched a campaign called “Let’s Tell America It’s Great.” It encouraged Canadians to send videos of themselves telling America all the reasons it’s already great.

[People are so stressed by this election that the American Psychological Association has coping tips]

“As their closest friends and neighbors, we thought it was important for us to do something to cut through the negativity and help remind them that no matter how bad things might seem, there are a lot of reasons to believe that America is still pretty great,” the Garden wrote in a Medium post titled, “A Friend in Need.”

What resulted was what one might call peak Canada. A diverse group of individuals sent optimistic videos praising America for everything from its musical influences to its public policies.

Other Canadians took to Twitter using the hashtag #tellamericaitsgreat to offer more accolades and moral support.

Hakuna Matata America, you're already great. NASA alone is proof of that. #tellamericaitsgreat

— Abraham Alappat (@AbeAlappat) October 17, 2016

Some great things about the US: BBQ, my friendly neighbours during my 5 yrs in CT, the NFL, Star Wars, Disneyland. #TellAmericaItsGreat

— Steve McKoen (@Steve_McKoen) October 17, 2016

Your declaration of independence is one of the most beautiful documents ever written. #tellamericaitsgreat

— SmallLady (@SmallLady0) October 15, 2016

“In the end, the best part of this whole journey so far has been discovering all of the amazing things about America that we ourselves either didn’t know or hadn’t considered,” the agency wrote in its blog post. “Because with all the bad stuff being thrown around out there, we feel like we could all use a little positivity right about now.”

[Stranded on 9/11, a small town in Canada showed him kindness. This is how he pays it forward.]

The gesture was certainly appreciated by some campaign-weary Americans:

Canada is that best friend who comes over on the worst day of your life to remind you why life's still worth living. #TellAmericaItsGreat pic.twitter.com/cM75rppYRB

— April Del Rario (@AprilDelRario) October 15, 2016


You Canadians are just so freaking NICE. :) Thank you! It's been a little rough down here. #TellAmericaItsGreat

— Paul Zelizer (@PaulZelizer) October 15, 2016

This small token of kindness from one of America’s closest allies — which, according to a recent NBC-WSJ poll, is viewed favorably by a whopping 75 percent of Americans — is a welcome antidote to all the ugliness of the past year.

And it may also provide some comfort that, if the election doesn’t go the way you want it to, you can always follow through on that threat to move to Canada — where you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/10/17/leave-it-to-canada-to-remind-america-that-its-still-a-great-country/?tid=hybrid_experimentrandomuk_2_na