Hails & Fails – August 27th 2021
There’s been a strong news focus on the Paralympics and the Afghanistan situation this week and many PR campaigns reflected this. Airbnb offered free accommodation to Afghan refugees and Channel 4 launched a bold Paralympics poster campaign. Then there was Brazen client Foodhub, who won headlines galore by creating the Ma’amburger for National Burger Day. It was a week they’d rather forget for Kingdom of Sweets – a Cardiff based sweet shop – after it shocked kids with a range of sex themed confectionery.
HAILS
Airbnb offers free accommodation for 20,000 Afghan refugees
Airbnb has offered to house 20,000 Afghan refugees for free to help them resettle across the world.
The company said the move was in response to “one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time”.
Chief executive Brian Chesky said: “I hope this inspires other business leaders to do the same. There’s no time to waste.”
The offer starts this week and Airbnb has confirmed it is working with non-governmental organisations to help with the most pressing needs.
It has not specified how much the company plans to spend on the initiative or how long refugees will be housed for.
Bravo!
Foodhub Create the Ma’amburger for National Burger Day
Brazen crafted a National Burger Campaign for takeaway food app client Foodhub – recreating the Queen’s favourite burger, and making it available to the masses, this week.
Her Majesty likes her burger with no bun and with cranberry sauce in place of ketchup or mayo.
So the Foodhub team created their own version nof the Queen’s favourite , called it the Ma’amburger and then delivered it the Buck House ahead of National Burger Day this week.
Cue 54 national and regional headlines covering the story!
Bold Channel 4 Paralympics posters turn convention on its head
As official UK Paralympics broadcaster, Channel 4 has been busy drumming up coverage with a smart out of home campaign.
The posters are a twist on the social etiquette children learn from a young age – that it’s rude to stare.
Considering Paralympians need the nation’s support, the clever copy tells them to do the total opposite, championing the athletes competing later this month.
The posters are in line with this year’s ‘Superhuman’ campaign, which plays on the premise that to be a Paralympian, there’s got to be something wrong with you.
Brilliant campaign that has won loads of positive commentary as a result.
FAILS
Sweet shop removes display of sex-themed confectionery after complaints
A sweet shop in Cardiff made headlines after it had to remove a display of sex-themed confectionery following complaints from parents.
Kingdom of Sweets in Cardiff city centre reportedly displayed the adult treats right next to the till, featuring penis-shaped lollipops among other overtly sex-themed confectionery.
Parents complained after shocked children spotted the display.
A spokesperson for Kingdom of Sweets confirmed that the items have now been withdrawn from stock. Unfortunately, not in time to avoid national headlines this week.
Oops!
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