What can you learn from Bas Smit and his turtle?
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:27 am
What happened the next day was the last and most unexpected image boost for the Bas Smit brand. This time, praise came from an unexpected corner. Television critic Angela de Jong, who is mainly annoyed by Bas and defines him as the Paris Hilton of the Netherlands, started off positively this time . She called his performance 'courageous' and concluded her widely read column with:
Yes, there you are on the couch. With your big mouth. About influencers. And Bas Smit. While that man is simply a modern-day hero. And an attention seeker with foam on his leg. But let him continue with that.
As I started this article: do something good! As a brand, put your 'altruism buy bulk sms service department' to work and give something back. But is this a new insight? No, of course not. Although good initiatives are often seen as scary and the term CSR is almost so dusty these days that it is associated with not leaving the lights on in the office or separating waste. And when brands do something really good, they are often afraid to talk about it. We don't want to pat ourselves on the back, do we? Is often the motto.
As a brand, you really don't have to transform into a mission like Tony Chocolonely, but if Bas and his action prove one thing, it is that occasionally putting your best social foot forward only makes your brand stronger. Think of Ditzo that put all its television budget into better healthcare a few years ago, Ben & Jerry's that collected signatures for refugees or Nike that continues to speak out against racism with videos. And if you then make 'doing good' one of your business objectives, you can pat yourself on the back a bit as far as I'm concerned.
Oh yes, despite the large proceeds, the counter is of course still running. Donating to the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology is still possible, via this link .
Yes, there you are on the couch. With your big mouth. About influencers. And Bas Smit. While that man is simply a modern-day hero. And an attention seeker with foam on his leg. But let him continue with that.
As I started this article: do something good! As a brand, put your 'altruism buy bulk sms service department' to work and give something back. But is this a new insight? No, of course not. Although good initiatives are often seen as scary and the term CSR is almost so dusty these days that it is associated with not leaving the lights on in the office or separating waste. And when brands do something really good, they are often afraid to talk about it. We don't want to pat ourselves on the back, do we? Is often the motto.
As a brand, you really don't have to transform into a mission like Tony Chocolonely, but if Bas and his action prove one thing, it is that occasionally putting your best social foot forward only makes your brand stronger. Think of Ditzo that put all its television budget into better healthcare a few years ago, Ben & Jerry's that collected signatures for refugees or Nike that continues to speak out against racism with videos. And if you then make 'doing good' one of your business objectives, you can pat yourself on the back a bit as far as I'm concerned.
Oh yes, despite the large proceeds, the counter is of course still running. Donating to the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology is still possible, via this link .