Honda joins the documentary wave....in a great way.

I wrote about the Whopper Virgins "documentary" earlier on these pages - and continue to find that the trend of companies getting involved with producing documentary-style material about them and their products is exploding. However - although they seem to be creating a stir - they also raise a very interesting question...

A good documentary is by nature based on objective storytelling (discounting the brilliant, but very biased Michael Moore). Is it even possible for a company to comission a documentary about themselves - and expect the outcome to be weighted and neutral? Imagine a documentary about McDonald's - scripted, produced, directed and presented by Ronald McDonald. Would you believe it when he interviewed customers and caught reactions like "McDonald's salads have changed my life and feel much healthier for it" and the sorts? Hardly. So how are we, as consumers supposed to digest these new streams of content and know if what we are watching is a true representation of reality - or a biased, bought and tainted version of reality? A corporate truth?

I have posted one of Honda's "Power Of Dreams" mini-docs for you to enjoy - and help you make up your mind. It doesn't pretend to be unbiased - and after a short while you are in no doubt that you are watching a corporate version of the truth. But does that matter as long as you know? What Honda are offering the public here is a number of talented, insightful and innovatinve thinkers and doers perspective on subjects such as mobility, failure etc. And so long as I know who is behind it - I am happy to enjoy the free insights they provide. In fact - I am likely to share them if they add some value and knowledge to my life.

So here's to a future rid of crappy 30 second ads that interupt my viewing with glossy crap and hollow promises. Here's to a future where companies reward our loyalty by understanding that true value is built through nurturing consumer relationships and creating mutually enriching experiences. The Power of Dreams truly lyes in giving back to the people who helped you realize YOUR dreams in the first place.