Hails & Fails – October 23rd 2026
This week’s Hails & Fails brings together some Halloween magic, a saucy makeover and a streaming service with a twist. Aldi is giving witches their own broomstick parking spaces, McDonald’s is turning its famous dipping sauces into spooky face paints, and Heineken is swapping screen time for pub time with a new streaming-inspired service. Meanwhile, Big Brother is facing a reality check, with thousands of Ofcom complaints and criticism from Women’s Aid putting ITV’s handling of contestant welfare under the spotlight.
HAILS
Aldi casts a spell on shoppers with Halloween parking stunt
Aldi is getting into the Halloween spirit with a bewitching new stunt, creating a dedicated broomstick parking bay for witches visiting its stores. The playful installation gives an everyday supermarket car park a spooky makeover, offering a tongue-in-cheek solution for shoppers arriving on two broomsticks rather than four wheels. It’s a simple but effective way to tap into the Halloween conversation, turning an ordinary parking space into a fun photo opportunity and giving the supermarket another chance to show off its sense of humour. With no elaborate production or celebrity endorsement needed, Aldi proves that sometimes the smallest ideas can create a little marketing magic.
McDonald's serves up a saucy Halloween makeover
McDonald’s is getting into the spooky spirit by turning its famous dipping sauces into a limited-edition Halloween face paint collection. Created with Leo UK, the ‘Spooky Sauces’ range features six sauce-inspired shades, including Tomb-Mato Ketchup, Boo-Boo-Q and Curry Cauldron, alongside fries-shaped brushes and a McNugget-inspired sponge. The campaign launched across TikTok and Instagram, with 100 sets up for grabs through a competition and creators sharing Halloween makeup tutorials inspired by the brand. It’s a brilliantly playful way of turning an everyday McDonald’s favourite into something unexpected, tapping into Halloween trends while giving fans a fun reason to engage with the Golden Arches beyond their next meal.
Heineken gives streaming a refreshing twist
Heineken is encouraging Brits to swap their sofas for the pub with the launch of ‘Pubscription’, a streaming-inspired service designed to get people socialising. Created in partnership with Amazon, the platform allows users to browse local pubs by ‘genre’ through Fire TV, matching venues to their mood just like choosing a film or TV show. The free service even offers subscribers four drinks vouchers every four weeks, redeemable for a Heineken or Heineken 0.0 at participating pubs. It’s a clever twist on the streaming model, using the technology that usually keeps people glued to their screens to encourage real-world connections instead. By making nights out easier to organise, Heineken has found a refreshing way to bring its brand message to life.
FAIL
Big Brother faces a reality check over contestant welfare
ITV’s Big Brother has found itself at the centre of a reputational storm after scenes involving housemates Omar and Rhianna sparked widespread criticism. The programme received 7,138 Ofcom complaints following an episode in which viewers raised concerns about Omar’s behaviour towards Rhianna, while domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid criticised the show for potentially presenting controlling behaviour as entertainment. ITV has defended its safeguarding procedures, insisting contestants are monitored around the clock, but a subsequent verbal warning issued to Omar has also been criticised by viewers as insufficient. The controversy has put the broadcaster’s duty of care under the spotlight, raising questions about how reality TV producers balance entertainment with their responsibility to protect participants.
