Hails & Fails – August 9th 2024
We’ve all been glued to our screens cheering on Team GB’s heroic Olympians this week, but it’s not only the athletes who have been winning, with several brands successfully cutting through the media with some silly but strategic thinking. Silliness for the win!
TikTok sensation The Muffin Man dominated the Olympics with content, Aldi pranked posh wine drinkers and Deliveroo delivered emergency sun cream. Fashion brand Ego Official missed the mark however, sparking outrage with their post about female Olympic athletes.
HAILS
Do you know…The Muffin Man?
Norwegian Olympian swimmer Henrik Christiansen may not have won gold in Paris, but he certainly won the internet with his viral TikToks about the chocolate muffins in the Olympic Village – declaring them the single greatest achievement from this year’s Games.
Now known as the official “Muffin Man”, the internet has been going wild for his muffin content with his hilarious videos racking up a tasty 4.4 million views and counting.
Abi Avery – Creative Intern: “Even Olympic athletes love a sweet treat, and Henrik’s posts are a silly fun change to the standard Olympic content. And who doesn’t remember the Muffin Man scene from Shrek!? Love a bit of nostalgia.”
Aldi’s Wine Prank
Aldi pranked posh wine drinkers this week with a spoof wine merchant Justin Youraldi at a royal show jumping event.
While the attendees of the event assumed they were enjoying the world’s most exclusive, expensive wine, they were actually sipping on Aldi’s budget friendly version.
Sometimes, you really do get more than you pay for.
Barnaby Kellaway – Account Director: “There are few things more entertaining than seeing, dare we say ‘pretentious’, food and drink connoisseurs get the wool pulled over the eyes. And this dry and full bodied video content from Aldi does it in style – all while spotlighting product throughout. Top marks!”
Emergency sun-cream service
To promote their “Holidays Essentials Hub”, Deliveroo surfed the waves of Brighton to deliver emergency sun cream… via surfboard! Inspired by research that sun cream is one of the most forgotten holiday essentials for British holiday makers.
“Imagine ordering @Deliveroo and your delivery driver turns up on a surfboard”, said one Brighton local.
Jess Redfearn – Midweight Creative: “Imagine no more! And that’s why we love PR. Such a simple, but silly idea rooted in a great insight. They’ve made it look easy!”
FAIL
Fashion fail
Fashion brand Ego received major backlash this week for social posts that spotlighted female Olympians, not for their phenomenal athletic achievements, but for their… messy love lives.
“When you finally go a month without falling into a situationship”, read one post as superstar Olympian is seen smiling in victory.
“As a women’s brand it’s sad to see this stereotype being used yet again”, said one LinkedIn user.
“Are we not past the point of thinking women are only interested in men and relationships? These are Olympians yet all we can talk about is their love life?”.
The post has since been removed.
Eleanor Fisher – Office Manager: “As women, we look up to the Olympian’s for their achievements and will power, so it’s frustrating to see these strong women be portrayed in a vastly different light.”
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