Hails & Fails – August 6th 2021
The summer hot spell seems a long time ago now but there were some great PR campaigns to add some sunshine in to our days this week. ASDA warmed hearts with some care for babies, Ikea gave us the scent of meatballs and Rihanna went all black for a lingerie campaign .It wasn’t the best of weeks for a selection of High Street icons though, after it was revealed they’ve short-changed minimum-wage staff.
HAILS
Asda gives away free nappies for premature babies
ASDA and Pampers have joined forces to offer all premature babies free nappies.The nappies will be available from all of Asda’s 254 stores across the UK.
Free nappies for premature babies have only previously been available from hospitals or healthcare providers.
The nappies are specially designed for the most delicate skin with a customisable fit that can accommodate medical leads and lines, helping minimise disruption during nappy changing.
Great initiative which has rightly won widespread admiration, praise and coverage this week.
Ikea releases a candle that smells like their Swedish meatballs
If you are craving Ikea’s iconic meatballs, you can now bring the smell of the furniture chain’s signature dish home.
Ikea has announced it has produced a candle that smells like their famous meatballs – and it will be available at many of the chain’s stores.
The candle is part of an Ikea Store in a Box package aimed at recreating the sensory experience of visiting a store.
The media loves a story about a repurposed icon, meaning headlines everywhere this week.
Rihanna goes back to black
Rihanna has hired an all-Black female motorcycle crew for her lingerie brand’s latest campaign.
The 10-member collective, which is called Caramel Curves, is known for riding their motorbikes clad in body-skimming fabrics and high heels, making them perfect models for Savage x Fenty’s newest collection.
Featured in the campaign are Caramel Curves cofounders, Nakosha Smith and Shanika Beatty; president of the group, Andrea Shepherd; and members Tierra Thomas, Kimberly Gilbert and Dezel Haynes.
The new lingerie collection comprises 100 pieces of lingerie and nightwear, which will span the size range from XS to 3XL.
The story won coverage globally this week.
FAILS
191 companies named and shamed for not paying minimum wage
Many High Street legends and football clubs are among 191 firms forced to return £2.1million to workers over minimum wage breaches.
Big names like John Lewis, The Body Shop and Pret A Manger were this week named and shamed by the government for underpaying workers.
Chains like McColl’s and One Stop, plus football clubs like Sheffield United and Coventry City and holiday operator Pontins were also criticised for payment practices.
The Business Department has revealed that 191 firms owed £2.1million to more than 34,000 workers after breaking wage laws.
They were also hit with a total fine of £3.2million for the breaches, which took place between 2011 and 2018.
Ouch!
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