The Marketing of Mediation

The ABA recently posted a trilogy of public service announcements on YouTube – each 32 seconds in length – to promote the use of mediation as an alternative to adversarial modes of dispute resolution.

While there is no shortage of on-line videos that demonstrate the mediation process in action (see my previous posts New Workplace Mediation Video and YouTube Video: The Mediation Process), the ABA’s trilogy takes an unconventional and, perhaps, even controversial approach to selling the value of mediation.

Edgy and clever, the videos provide a provocative endorsement of mediation but, in doing so, may cause some to squirm on account of the cultural, sexual and social stereotypes depicted.

I have posted all three videos below.  Have a look – comments welcome.