not just a stock cube
Knowing how to help others communicate has come via an unconventional route. But having been on that journey, I think it's fair to say that I've gained the kind of uniquely beneficial insights few have been privileged enough to experience or encounter.
But what, you may wonder, does something as unlikely as Posh Stock have to do with learning, development, and the way we communicate to improve wellbeing and performance at work?
Allow me to explain.
Back Story
It was 2008. Facebook was becoming a thing, YouTube had been going for about 2 years. No Twitter (to speak of), no Instagram and definitely no TikTok.
And because one of Unilever's most loyal and trusted communications agencies happened to be turned on to the possiblities of making a splash without spending much cash - ie they'd cottoned on to the use digital marketing & communications instead of mainstream advertising and media channels - they came to me.
Why me?
I'd recently set up now | house, a boutique video production business and now | house had already had some fun producing a couple of online interactive video campaigns for Unilever's food solutions wing, as well as a quirky little number for PG Tips starring Johnny Vegas and Monkey (maybe another time).
The Brief
"We want a singing chef."
"Yeees?"
"With a song."
"O-K?"
"For Knorr Bouillon."
"Fine."
"Like Flight of the Concords."
"Who?"
The briefest brief I've ever been given.
Pre-production
That said, it was also the clearest, in a funny kind of way. I was duly sent over online evidence of FOTC's uniquely funny schtick and, armed with that, together with the notion of somehow incorporating Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing into the mix - or at least a homage-like copycat - off we jolly well went.
There was the small matter of the following:
Write a song about the benefits of Knorr Bouillon
Script the video - did I mention that now | house was commissioned to write the song and produce the "pop video"?
Broadcast the video via the now | email engine, the now | house company-developed email marketing sytem, to selected wholesalers and retail outlets
Monitor the results, including stats on views' duration - the kind of data that was not widely available in the early days of online video
Oh... and cast the talent
My long-suffering and equally as "whatever it takes" partner-in-life-and-crime Hela Wozniak-Kay happened to be taking part in a quiz show, then popular as a pre-lottery staple - "Who Dares Wins".
I needed some help and had an inkling.
"Is there anyone there who looks anything like Stephen Mulhearn?" (For the unitiated, a well-known Noughties' ITV Saturday Night presenter and magician)
"Yup."
"You're joking."
"He's sitting next to me."
A lookalike, granted, not the real deal. That would have bust the budget.
And just like that, Scott agreed to be the talent. Very talented he was too. He came with form - a serial TV quizmeister as well as, rather conveniently, drama teacher. He was totally game, of course. And an utterly nice chap.
So there we were. Almost.
Production
Next came the shoot.
"They're Marco Pierre-White's pans. Make sure you don't damage them."
No pressure then.
Unilever's kitchens delivered a suitably glossy set. Pans included. And we had a particularly imaginative and accommodating camera op to do the hard work. Scott was of course on-the-case and delivered a masterful performance, lip-syncing to my vocals, a totally suprising and slightly alarming choice considering that Scott's own, delivered in a far more accomplished manner than mine, I'd thought, hadn't made the cut with the brand manager.
Shoot in the can, Knorr Clear, Roasted and Standard Bouillon rinsed away, pans unscathed.
Post-production
Email campaign run, slight confusion as to the success or otherwise with the agency. I learned later, direct from the Marketing Director of Unilever Food Solutions, "The Man in Charge", that it had indeed all been a great success. Why him? Well, he'd been so chuffed with Scott the Singing Chef and his silly song that he offered now | house another gig at his new business.
And that is how "Get Ur Bouillon" was produced, done and dusted. Or maybe sprinkled.
It's a wrap
So what did I learn from Posh Stock? That great communication makes the everyday not just palatable but remarkable.
And what can you learn? That the same principles apply in the workplace: when messages are clear, creative, playful and grounded in human connection, people feel more engaged, more confident, and better able to perform.
That’s why I do what I do now — helping leaders and teams use personality profiling and play to unlock those same results.
The My True Talent Way
Personality forms the basis of all teams
Play pumps their creative hearts
In harmony, they build performance, culture and wellbeing
Money is your bottom line. A healthy culture makes it. If you want to ensure that happens, get in touch. Go to mytruetalent.co.uk or call me direct on 07970 282490.