How has your company been impacted by concerns over the coronavirus–or the virus itself if a worker or client has been stricken–in terms of business, your staff, client relationships?
The impact of COVID-19 hit very close to home at Butter when our CCO Andrew Sherman contracted the virus and began experiencing symptoms as early as March 4th. It wasn’t actually confirmed as COVID-19 until March 17th. His condition worsened and he was checked into the hospital on the 19th. Fortunately he had been under self-quarantine during most of that time and it does not appear that anyone else on the team contracted the virus.
SIDE NOTE: He shared about his experiences extensively on his Facebook page and was also featured in The Wall St Journal – https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-survivors-keep-up-the-fight-donate-blood-plasma-to-others-11585733401?shareToken=st8dc9732b344a4dfd8d5b9dcf7971bffa&reflink=article_email_share
The well-being, health and safety of people is clearly top priority. What measures have you taken to protect your staff and collaborators during this challenging time?
All of our studios are currently closed until further notice. Some staff members began working remotely as early as March 9th, and our entire team went remote beginning the week of March 15th.
How have you adapted your behavior, practices, policies, approaches, ways of thinking and doing business in response to the pandemic?
In that respect, the virus hasn’t presented any major challenges. Our creative teams are spread across three studio locations in NY, LA, and Europe and we all collaborate on the same projects, so the company as a whole has been “working remote” for over five years now. Of course, for the teams in each location we are now separated and missing the structure and social interaction that we get from going into our local studios. To counteract that, we’ve started scheduling group video chats with the sole purpose of keeping the team connected and boosting spirits.
Were you in the midst of a particular project when the coronavirus outbreak hit and how did you manage to deal with that situation?
We had several major projects underway that hit roadblocks as a result of the virus. One was an on-camera musical performance with celebrity talent that required a pre-production recording, the other was a huge global campaign. Both were put on-hold indefinitely as a result of the virus. I wish I could say there was something we could do to pivot and revive the projects, but the situation is truly out of our hands, just as it is on the macro-level with the virus. The best way I have found to deal with this is to practice acceptance of the current situation, and gratitude for the health and safety of our team. Life will eventually go back to normal, and we will be ready when it does.
What’s your biggest takeaway or lessons learned from your experience dealing with coronavirus concerns thus far?
I would tell you to ask me again when its actually over. My understanding is evolving day by day. Some days I am my usual hyper-focused, uber-hustling self. Other days I am going stir-crazy and struggle to find motivation as I am continually distracted by my 3 year old daughter, Beatrix. My biggest lesson so far has been to embrace those moments of distraction whenever feasible and give my daughter some attention. The work will get done but my life, and hers, will be so much richer if I find time to play. Being part of a creative industry, I think “play” is so important. My hope is that we all find ways to slow down a little and connect with that spirit of play.
What advice, if any, would you offer to your counterparts at other companies/agencies, your clients and collaborators?
There’s an old Buddhist proverb that I love that says ““Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” Take out the word “enlightenment” and replace it with “COVID-19”
It’s said that strength emerges from adversity. Do you see any silver lining or positive dynamic emerging for our industry/marketplace from this global health crisis?
I think–I hope–that the biggest lessons we take away from this will be the importance of slowing down the furious pace of living and making more time for human connections, both personally and professionally. I’ve had several virtual meet ups with friends and with clients, and its been so refreshing to see people let down their guard and show true vulnerability, and to see that relationships that began as colleagues or clients have developed into true friendships. Like I said earlier, the work will get done regardless, but when I’m on my deathbed its the relationships that I will remember.
Have you deployed your company’s creative and communication skills to address the pandemic (PSAs, educational videos, other initiatives)? Please tell us about these efforts.
We’ve contributed music to one PSA that is currently in development and we welcome any other opportunities to be of service and support the community as we endure this crisis.
