Watch this: A Video Infographic about a Video Infographic?

So, many people have asked us why they need an animated motion infographic to explain their ideas. After all, they may have produced excellent research, ground breaking studies and visionary perspectives and presented them to colleagues in peer reviewed publications, international policy papers or presentations. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I spend half of my time in the research and intelligence world generating and moderating thought leadership and new ideas. But I also know that there is SO much more we can do to advance and amplify ideas.

Using the journalistic tools of storytelling and the best creative talent that is available, presenting ideas, information and data in animated video format can ensure your research findings, investigations or unique vision reaches a much wider audience.

My company Karen Allen International has produced this video explainer or animated motion infographic to explain exactly what an animated motion infographic is. Take a look. We showcase the range of techniques we use and we also explain why this type of production should be considered as part of your portfolio of communication and knowledge products.

And by the way, the reason why customising your video explainer is so important, is that it retains the authority and credibility of your ideas, your brand, your name. Sadly, many off the shelf video products just don’t do this.

So why do I feel so strongly about this? Back in the day during a short BBC posting to Seoul, I worked with an extremely talented producer. We were foxing over how to tell the harrowing story of how North Korean dissidents who had fled the authoritarian regime in Pyongyang, had made the perilous journey across to South Korea. There were no moving pictures, little prospect of acquiring any and our ventures towards the border had ended at the DMZ (demilitarized zone). So, we hired an artist to illustrate the story and supplement it with video archive and animated text and ensured the authority and integrity of our BBC journalism was hardwired into the piece. The result was an incredibly moving and informative piece of video. In many ways it mirrored the international committee of the red cross infographic on the laws of war or Geneva Conventions that I have referred to in previous blogs and which I found so inspiring. See our previous blog : What an earth is an animated motion infographic?

In a rapidly changing information environment, we are having to ramp up efforts to reach broader audiences and use a spectrum of production methods to achieve this. So don’t drop the publication, or the policy brief – they have their place – but do consider an animated motion infographic to connect your ideas to the rest of the world.

They can be far more engaging and impactful to a diverse and global audience, and they could pave the way to getting the next story on air/online, entice the next donor to support your project or help secure the business of a promising client.

I am a strong believer in basic journalistic principles, academic rigour and creative flair but I also know the gulf between the information creators and the information communicators is vast and great stories often fall through the cracks. In an increasingly complex world where automation and alternative truths jostle for our attention, we need to get smarter in the way we communicate and the production techniques we employ. So, I would really urge you to consider reaching out to Karen Allen International and chat to us about how we can help tell your story with authority, integrity and impact.