In my last writing class in the Winter 2021 term, I was introduced to the concept of briefing notes, which is a detail list of organized information that outlines planned actions that is then given to an executive/staff leader/minister to help them understand the material in order for them to be prepared to make decisions and consider courses of actions. For my assignment, I was writing a briefing note for a private/public partnership meeting of federal, provincial and municipal government representatives and concert promoter Ticketmaster in regards of creating a post-COVID rock concert. NOTE: This was a fictional scenario, and I am not affiliated with Ticket Master. 

Written by: Ross Lopes

Produced: March 2021

IMPROVEMENTS FROM 2003 SARS CONCERT FOR POST-COVID ROCK CONCERT

Background information about 2003 SARS Concert:

• Recorded 490,000 attendees at the July concert; biggest concert to be held to date, held at Downsview Park in Toronto, ON and nicknamed SARStock gaining media attention and audience engagement. Concert was held to both (1) erase the negative messages about SARS with respect to Toronto, and (2) was a fundraiser for healthcare and hospitality workers hurt by SARS – $7.1 million was raised. 
• Headliner being Rolling Stones // Appearance from Catharine O’Hara // Many other talented acts like The Guess Who, AC/DC, and The Flaming Lips // Helped clear Toronto’s stigmatized reputation. Unimpressed fans with Justin Timberlake’s appearance (being booed off stage).

Though reports are unclear on when the pandemic will end, there will be a chance to have a bigger impact than the 2003 SARS Concert had.

• It’s being reported that COVID-19 will be with us for years and will be part of our yearly flu shots. However, the pandemic will end. 

Our suggestion is holding a bigger and more notable rock concert for when vaccine rollout and COVID-19 controlment has been implemented. Will focus on:

1. Fundraising for healthcare workers and small business most affected by the pandemic
2. A positive outlook on what the future looks like with COVID-19 vaccinations
3. Messaging would focus on motivating/encouraging people to get vaccinated every year.

Call to action: to decide if this concert is viable, secure ballpark funding from all stakeholders at the table and approval-in-principal to proceed to the proposal stage.

Details of projected outline:

• Estimated Date: Saturday, July 2, 2022
• Venue: Downsview Park 
• Time: 12pm-12am
• Price: 19$ per ticket

Food: reach out to local businesses that were heavily affected by the pandemic and ask them to sell their food to attendees through food trucks (that would be provided for them).

Beverage: alcohol tents will be offered for 19+ attendee’s (through potential sponsorships of Bacardi, Absolut, Jack Daniels, etc.) 

Smoking areas: designated area’s will be provided for both nicotine smoking and marijuana smoking. NOTE: the products will be sold at the event, people cannot bring in own product.

• A Social Media Campaign will be conducted to promote the concert. 
• Volunteer outreach will be conducted.

Headliner: Rolling Stones 

Potential Acts: RUSH // Miley Cyrus // Avril Lavigne // Justin Bieber // Triumph // Simple Plan // Arkell’s // Marianas Trench // Arcade Fire

Budget: based on research, an estimated cost of $13 million, includes possible funding from

• Corporate Sponsorships // federal government // provincial government

Contact: Ross Lopes, Communications Officer, 647-555-9034