Hails & Fails – May 21st 2021
As the rain continued to fall we have all been thanking our lucky stars we can once again go inside pubs and restaurants. But the inclement Spring weather hasn’t stopped the PR industry making headlines with some fantastically creative campaigns this week. Lego gave us all a rainbow to think about, Monopoly showed us that the icons are better when life-size, and Victoria Beckham became a concierge. It was a bad week for Network Rail though, as they had to fight accusations of being sexist.
HAILS
Lego to launch first LGBTQ+ set
Lego has launched its first LGBTQ+ set – a collection of tiny figurines in full rainbow colours.
Titled ‘Everyone Is Awesome’, the colours were chosen to reflect the original rainbow flag, along with pale blue, white and pink representing the trans community, and black and brown to acknowledge the diversity of skin tones and backgrounds within the LGBTQIA+ community.
No specific gender has been assigned to the figures, who are intended to “express individuality, while remaining ambiguous”. Designer, Matthew Ashton wanted to create something that represented his pride in his own community. Bravo, we say! And the media loved it too with coverage everywhere.
Giant life-sized Monopoly game coming to the UK this summer
This summer you’ll be able to play Monopoly on an enormous giant board.
Monopoly Lifesize is coming to the UK and the giant, on-your-feet game is played on a massive 15m x 15m board.
The fun 4D experience keeps the classic game elements but adds a twist – and it will be open to the public from August 14.
You can choose from four different boards: Classic, Vault, City and Junior for kids where they will take part in “escape room style challenges”.
The iconic game will be hosted at a venue in London and players can even stock up on Hasbro-themed merchandise at the venue while enjoying food and drinks at The Top Hat – a Monopoly-themed bar and restaurant.
The story has been covered everywhere!
Victoria Beckham becomes a concierge
Victoria Beckham has launched a concierge service that means customers can try on items from her collection from the comfort of their own homes.
The Spice Girl turned designer has launched her own Style Concierge service, which allows customers to order pieces to try on before they purchase. These are delivered to their home during a one-hour appointment slot, all for just £15, with no pressure to buy.
Although the pieces will be delivered in a van, the brand insists that the service is carbon neutral, and for every appointment booked a tree is planted.
As you’d expect, the story has made headlines right across the spectrum of media, from fashion bibles to celeb weeklies and news dailies.
FAILS
Network Rail under fire for being ‘sexist’
Network Rail has been criticised for a ‘sexist’ poster next to the ladies’ toilets at King’s Cross station in London, which it is claimed threatens and ‘slut-shames’ women going on a night out.
The ad – produced by British Transport Police and Network Rail – shows a woman in a busy bar, holding a cocktail and singing karaoke with a man to her side.
The image is sandwiched between two ominous warnings that read ‘Having a few drinks? Make sure losing your voice is the only thing you’ll regret tomorrow’ and ‘Stay safe around the railway or you might regret it’. Oh dear…unsurprisingly, Both British Transport Police and Network Rail have apologised and removed the poster, acknowledging that the campaign did not ‘get the [intended] message across clearly’.
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