Working in the media industry, as I did for over twenty years, was certainly eye-opening. During the years filming fishing and boating documentaries, I was able to visit some beautiful locations. Working as a freelance videographer (Stringer) for Channels 7, 10 and ABC, I filmed news stories across the Illawarra area, covering everything from press conferences to flood events.
One project for an aged care provider involved my team and me filming and editing a video soundtracked by British group The Zimmers, who’d recorded a fun version of Iggy Pop’s rowdy Lust For Life. It was a blast, and the client and residents were wonderful to work with. You can check out the video here.
Working initially as a cameraman and editor, and then in later years as a producer and director, I was blessed to work with some great clients. My role was to help organisations, businesses, and New South Wales government departments tell their stories, in a positive light. My team and I were essentially involved in marketing and advertising, or making propaganda films, as I sometimes jokingly say — but the goal was always to communicate a compelling message through video storytelling, whether on TV or online.
Throughout those twenty-plus years, the absolute best projects to work on were always Dads4Kids’ annual Father’s Day TV advertisements, which still air across Australia as Community Service Announcements (CSAs). I’ve written previously about our early efforts, and there have certainly been some standouts over the years. You can view many of them here. So far, the 2017 and 2020 campaigns have probably been some of my favourites.
These days, I’m no longer behind the camera, but the message of Dads4Kids remains constant: Our mission is to encourage dads and help them be the best they can be for their children.
Sadly, the mainstream media mostly pursues and promotes negative narratives when it comes to men and fathers. That’s why it was so refreshing to see Channel 7 produce and air Danny Abdallah’s and Samuel Davidson’s amazing, powerful story of forgiveness last Sunday. Congratulations to presenter Michael Usher and all the team at 7News Spotlight for such an uplifting story – more like that please! (If you missed it, you can watch the program on YouTube here.)
Positive Papas
Here at Dads4Kids, we aim to push back against the onslaught of unhelpful mainstream messaging that diminishes and discourages dads from their high calling. The truth is, fathers matter, and Australia needs excellent dads and great male role models more than ever!
Today, I’m excited to announce Dads4Kids’ latest Community Service Announcement (CSA) campaign, “Be The Best You Can Be“, is going to air on TV networks all across Australia. Above is the 60-second CSA, and below is the 30-second CSA. Our prayer is that fathers and their families are encouraged by the positive, aspirational messages contained within these CSAs. Please watch, like and share them with your friends and family!
Each year, the process of creating, planning, filming, editing, polishing, gaining ClearAds approval, and delivering the CSAs to TV Networks takes time and resources. However, we know from the feedback we receive that the TV ads make a difference in the lives of everyday Aussie families. Thanks to the generous support of Dads4Kids’ amazing donors, we keep producing and pressing forward.
This year, like previous years, we’ve worked with Richard Attieh and his wonderful team at Australian TV & Media Group to create the campaign. Richard does an amazing job, and we are so thankful for him and his excellent team. He’s a great dad himself and even makes a cameo appearance in this year’s CSAs, changing a car tyre with his daughter. In fact, all the dads appearing in this year’s campaign are everyday dads who love their kids and want to be the best they can be!
We are so thankful for each of them, and we hope you are encouraged by their stories.
Lovework
Thankfully, we’re not all alone when it comes to being the best dads we can be. Dads4Kids exists to support all dads in this very endeavour! If you’re a father, please reach out to us here if you need support or encouragement in this most important role.
As Dads4Kids friend Tony Miller says, “I can’t, but the Bigfella can.” Our Father in Heaven is cheering us on, as He also wants us to be the best dads we can be. To be part of a band of brothers who’ll encourage you to be the best you can be, on 9 October, our next Courageous Online Fathering Course commences. Visit courageousfatheringcourse.com.au to find out more and register today!
Yours for being the best you can be,
Nathaniel Marsh
P.S. If you’re encouraged by Dads4Kids and would like to support us in the mission to help Aussie dads be the best they can be for their children, please consider making a tax-deductible donation here.
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Republished with thanks to Dads4Kids.