Hails & Fails – February 28th 2025
The sun has been shining here in Manchester and suddenly there’s a spring in our step! And if like us you’re enjoying some much-needed Vitamin D this weekend, sit back, relax and soak up some creative inspo!
Persil proved that dirt is still good, a London pub called The Cabbage Patch hosted a sensory-friendly screening of the Six Nation’s and Brazen client Optical Express secured national coverage for a kind-hearted initiative to help carers, NHS and emergency workers. But rapper Stormzy found himself at the centre of controversy and was not lovin’ it.
HAILS
Persil cleans up period taboos
More than 75% of UK girls aged 15-18 have withdrawn from sports due to periods, with 62% citing fear of stains as the reason.
To challenge the stigma, Persil teamed up with Arsenal Football Club to launch workshops that empower young athletes to feel proud of pursuing sports with them.
“Grass is part of the game, mud is part of the game, sweat is part of the game. What about blood?” asks the powerful campaign video.
A huge hail for us.
Sensory friendly pub screening
A pub in London pledged to host a sensory friendly screening of England vs Wales battle during the Six Nations to offer rugby fans with sensory difficulties an enjoyable pub-viewing experience.
The match will be shown in a separate room with subtitles, no adverts, lower than usual volume level, fidget toys and earplugs.
“Having worked with several people with autism and other intellectual disabilities, I’ve seen how important it is to those individuals to have spaces like this that help cater to sensory difficulties. It’s also so important to their families – to have a space where they can come together, socialise, and have a good time,” said Stuart Green, General Manger, The Cabbage Patch.
Thanks A Million Brazen!
Brazen’s client Optical Express relaunched its ‘Thanks A Million’ £1m charity giveaway of free laser eye surgery to help carers, NHS and emergency workers neglecting their own health to help others.
Brazen’s research found 34% of those who care for others are left with no time to prioritise their own health, with 31% saying they find it difficult to attend medical appointments.
In fact, more than half of carers and blue light workers believe poor eyesight would force them to quit their jobs, signalling a looming crisis in the health sector.
So, we wrote a press release about the revealing survey results and worked with Professor Mark Wetherall from Northumbria University, who has studied the physical and psychological experiences of carers and emergency workers for 20 years, to provide his expert opinion.
Brazen secured ‘Thanks A Million’ 88 pieces of coverage in the Mirror, Reach’s regional titles and many more, with a combined reach of more than 230,000,000. That’s a lot of pairs of eyes!
Plus, Optical Express have now confirmed 350 carers, NHS and emergency workers have been approved to receive the free laser eye surgery!
FAIL
A Storm Of Controversy
Rap star Stormzy found himself in the centre of controversy following his recent collaboration with McDonalds, last week’s hail, with pro-Palestine tweets being deleted from his X account triggering a social media backlash.
Our hail of last week was the fast-food chain’s campaign ‘The Stormzy Meal’ that gives fans the chance to order his go-to McDonalds order, but with the rapper being a vocal supporter of Palestine and the restaurant being linked to the Israeli military, questions were soon asked.
The star has since released a statement to “address the twisted narrative” and to deny that he comprised his beliefs for the partnership.
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