The BBC Box

Summary

The video follows a shipping container on its global journey, illustrating the importance of containerization in the global economy. Starting in Scotland with a shipment of whiskey, the container travels across seas, showcasing the scale and complexity of international trade. The BBC project uses multiple platforms to engage audiences, including maps and user-generated content, to track the container's progress. The initiative highlights the global supply chain and its impact, while also showing how the global financial crisis has affected trade, with educational value for schools and public interest groups.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The script follows a shipping container on a global journey to illustrate the global economy.
• 🔍 The project is multiplatform, accessible online, on radio, and television.
• 📦 The shipping container is a symbol of globalization and international trade.
• 🥃 The first cargo followed is Scotch whiskey from Paisley to the Chinese market.
• 📈 Despite economic uncertainty, export sales are booming, as shown by the Scotch export.
• 🚢 The container's journey starts from Scotland, goes through Southampton, and heads to Shanghai.
• 🗺️ An interactive map allows the audience to track the container's progress.
• 📈 The project aims to demystify the global economy by focusing on a tangible object.
• 📊 The container's journey reflects changes in the global economy, such as currency fluctuations and shipping prices.
• 👨‍🏫 The project is educational, engaging schools and geography teachers.
• 🌐 The project sparked audience engagement, with followers creating their own content and websites.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the BBC's 'Box' project?

The main focus of the BBC's 'Box' project is to track a shipping container around the world to tell the story of the global economy in a new and exciting way.

How can the public track the progress of the BBC's 'Box'?

The public can track the progress of the BBC's 'Box' online at bbc.co.uk/slthebox or on BBC News.

What percentage of goods bought in shops arrive in containers?

90% of all the goods bought in shops arrive in containers.

What is the first cargo the 'Box' carries in the project?

The first cargo the 'Box' carries is 15,000 bottles of scotch whiskey destined for the Chinese market.

What is the significance of the container in the context of globalization and international trade?

The shipping container is central to the growth of globalization and international trade, making it easier and more efficient to transport goods around the world.

What was the first stop of the 'Box' after being loaded with scotch whiskey?

The first stop of the 'Box' after being loaded with scotch whiskey was the port of Greenock on the Clyde.

How did the BBC engage the audience with the 'Box' project?

The BBC engaged the audience through a multiplatform approach, including online, radio, and television, and encouraged user-generated content.

What was the key challenge for the BBC in terms of the online component of the 'Box' project?

The key challenge was creating an interactive map where people could find out where the 'Box' was and where it had been during its journey.

How did the public respond to the 'Box' project?

The public responded positively to the 'Box' project, with many blogs, forums, and social media platforms discussing and sharing content related to the project.

What additional content did the audience contribute to the 'Box' project?

The audience contributed by sending in pictures, creating a dedicated website, and setting up a Facebook group to discuss and follow the 'Box'.

How did the 'Box' project help in understanding the global economy?

The 'Box' project helped in understanding the global economy by providing a tangible example of international trade and by illustrating economic changes such as export growth and shipping prices.