What would you put on a billboard as your message to the world?

Right now, we need some positivity in our lives more than ever.

The riots occurring aren’t just a Northern issue; they are happening across the UK and are coming closer to London.

This is a national problem.

Reading the article in Campaign UK this morning on how Adland need to step up, got me thinking.

Undoubtedly, misinformation on social media platforms has fuelled unrest.

In the article, Thom Blinding summed it up well. As an industry, the primary tool available in tackling hate speech is money.

We have enormous power to de-platform individuals and platforms supporting hate speech. We can either enable or shrink the potential for hate.

These choices apply to newspapers, TV programming, influencers, social networks, and any other paid-for platform designed to share information with the public that carries our client messages.

Money well and truly talks – we know this. But as an industry, there’s one thing we also have an abundance of, creativity.

Now, going back to my opening line. I have two very fitting messages right now I’d put on a billboard, the first from Martin Luther King.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

The second, equally as powerful is Kofi Annan’s quote.

"We may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race."

At the moment, it’s a vocal minority causing chaos.

But the quiet majority, are fully behind humanity, because ultimately, together we grow; divided, we fall.

The question is advertising a net positive or negative for society is a fascinating one which we won’t be getting into today. But one thing is certain, we don’t use our media spaces for good as much as we should.

Call me crazy – but what if we used some of this ad space over the next couple of weeks for good?

It could be as simple as we set up an online wall, where people from all backgrounds and ways of life, post one message of positivity, hope, and togetherness to the world.

And the best ones, we project out across cities on DOOH boards and social media feeds.

It wouldn't take much to get this off the ground, it just needs the backing of a handful of media entities, willing to give up some ad space for good.

It's not going to change the issues we're seeing across the country, but it will spread a message of faith and humanity when everyone needs it the most.

No gesture is too small to make an impact.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

Adland, we should try to make a difference.