The ultimate reality show

I do love a good bit of marketing spin. As a former marketing executive, I appreciate a unique approach to selling knowledge to a tough audience. So I sat up and took notice at how the principal of Grimsby Secondary School introduced me to his students the other day: "You're about to hear and see the ultimate reality show!"

Jim Heywood was trying to catch the attention of 1,100 students settling into their seats, luring them with the prospect of a form of entertainment all of them know well.

Live and unplugged

When it was my turn to step in front of the thousand-strong student body, I experienced a setback that's only happened a couple of times in the eight years of my traveling show. The video I always share - "We Miss Dave" - didn't work.

Personally, it didn't bother me; I haven't watched it in years. The 20 minutes of my son's young, handsome face in all those home movies - projected so large that people in the back row can see - is too painful for me. I always go and hide in the corner of the auditorium with my back to the screen.

But I've come to rely on the 'reality show' aspect of this video as a tool to impact people. It shows, in living colour, the drum-playing, baseball-throwing, goofing-around reality of a boy who lived a wonderful, full life before he died on the job... and I know this movie makes a big grab on the audience's hearts.

The kids are alright

Without the movie working, all that was left was me - an ordinary, 55-year-old dad.

So the reality show became my story - and the audience walked it with me. Without pictures of Dave's face; without testimonials from Dave's friends, teachers and other family members contained in the video.

And when I was done, just talking, I got a standing ovation from those kids at Grimsby Secondary School.

Apparently this was one reality show they really tuned into.