In summer 2014 Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games. In parallel with the Games an ambitious line up of cultural events and activities was programmed. The Cultural Programme had two strands: a Scotland-wide programme called Culture 2014 and a Games Time celebration alongside the sporting action called Festival 2014 which filled Glasgow with entertainment and culture from Scotland and around the world. (See the online events brochure for full listings.)

In an effort to serve a the Games time audience special content that captured the range, quantity and quality of the work that was taking place around the city Glasgow Life commissioned a series of films called the Festival Daily. It was organised around a YouTube channel a Twitter hashtag #fest14TV (active with other related hashtags, #festival2014, #culture2014 #genartscotland and #glasgow2014) and promotion on Glasgow Life’s Facebook page. The campaign served local Glasgow audiences, tourists visiting the city for the Games and international fans from around the Commonwealth with daily highlights and practical updates from around the city. An additional legacy goal of the campaign was around providing a tangible record of the events that were part of Festival 2014 for Glasgow’s future generations.

Created by a streamlined crew of two technicians, two hosts (Games volunteers) and featuring Edward the Singing Weatherman (see video above) the campaign gave a local voice to a global event. The videos had a lighthearted tone and local voice that attracted thousands of YouTube viewers from over 65 countries around the world. It provided a legacy for Glasgow’s 2014 Festival and helped Glasgow Life record and amplify the buzz and excitement of the Festival to make the most of the rare opportunity that comes with hosting a large-scale international event like the Commonwealth Games.