Hamburg/Cologne/Berlin/Munich, 03/26/2020

‘Together Against Corona’ – Activities Of The Content Alliance

Max Giesinger
Mark Forster

Subject: Corona, Media & Services
Country: Germany
Category: Project

With a variety of activities and campaigns, the companies of the Bertelsmann Content Alliance in Germany are supporting the fight against the spread of the novel corona virus. BMG artist Max Giesinger, for example, released the charity song “Nie starker als jetzt”. All companies are also using their many social media channels for the “Together Against Corona” campaign.

The companies of the Bertelsmann Content Alliance in Germany are supporting the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus with a variety of activities and campaigns under the claim “Together Against Corona”. Across all media genres, they not only provide information about new developments but also focus on service issues, preventative measures and tips for improving the current situation.

70,000 viewers were watching BMG artist Max Giesinger live on March 22 at the #WirbleibenZuhause-Festival as he presented a new version of his current single “Nie besser als jetzt” (Never better than now) on Instagram. With the song “Nie stärker als jetzt” (Never stronger than now), he wants to give energy to all who are self-isolating at home now, but also and especially to those who are currently working on the front line for us every day: doctors, hospital staff, police, fire fighters, supermarket staff, postmen and -women, and many more. The proceeds generated by the song through sales and streams will benefit the “Together Against Corona – Together For Children” campaign via the “Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.”

G+J magazines such as “Schöner Wohnen”, “Couch”, “Living At Home” and “Holly” are organizing hashtag campaigns. Under the hashtag “#COUCHcares”, the “Couch” editors call for the submission of suggestions related to which activities, small enterprises, artists, freelancers or cafés should be presented editorially in “Couch” to support them. “Essen & Trinken” is publishing a daily newsletter with the best recipes and tips for the crisis at “#stayathomeandcook”.

Since Monday, RTL has been broadcasting live for one hour from the “Quarantäne-WG” flat-sharing community at 8:15 p.m. Günther Jauch, Thomas Gottschalk and Oliver Pocher, who was tested positive for corona, have virtually moved in together. They talk via video chat, and viewers can ask questions at “#QuarantäneWG”. On Vox, Mark Forster invites viewers to his sound studio in Berlin on Wednesdays at 8:15 p.m. In “Live aus der Forster Straßea”, the pop star invites viewers to enjoy two hours of distraction from their unique and unfamiliar day-to-day life of self-isolation and social distancing to spend a bit of quality time at home. He connects with famous artists, including James Blunt, makes music with them, gives them tasks and has a look at their living rooms. The streaming service TV Now is making the live streams of the linear channels of Mediengruppe RTL accessible for free in order to meet people’s increased need for information. Plenty of podcasts from G+J and Mediengruppe RTL are also available. The RTL Radio Center Berlin launched a 24-hour info channel about the coronavirus.

With a number of creative activities, Verlagsgruppe Random House is moving author’s readings and events to online channels. Under the catchphrase “Together Against Corona”, many authors are reading from their books from their living rooms and talking about the current situation. All users are asked to tag their favorite bookstores under the hashtag “#BuchladenLiebe” and report about the creative ordering and delivery possibilities they offer.