S3Ep4:When Events Speak: Exploring the Messages Behind the Show

In this episode, hosts Dr. Lauren Siegel and Dr. Ram Shamseen interview Dr. Pamela Zigomo about critical event theory, which examines underlying power relationships in event spaces and how event design can reproduce or disrupt inequalities. Zigomo discusses “entertainization,” describing how charities use popular entertainment to embed social messages, citing Global Citizen Festival’s model of requiring advocacy actions for access. She critiques past cause-related mega-events like Live Aid and Human Rights Now, noting research on limited long-term impact, Western-centric definitions of “top-selling” artists that excluded African performers, and “poverty porn” imagery that left audiences with distorted perceptions of the Global South. She previews her forthcoming book on third-sector event design beyond fundraising and shares post-colonial research on Southern African polo events and fan-community dynamics in fantasy football (FPL), highlighting recurring cycles of reproduced power structures.00:30 Meet the Hosts01:17 Critical Event Studies03:30 Global Citizen Example05:34 Entertainization Explained09:57 New Book on Third Sector11:42 Charity Events Beyond Fundraising14:39 Live Aid Critique and Poverty Porn19:17 Participation and Representation22:07 Polo Events and Postcolonial Mimicry28:33 Fantasy Football Fan Communities