Hails & Fails – December 19th 2025
From pints fit for a King to cheeky festive mischief and a handy cold weather escape plan, this week’s PR wins prove timing is everything. Guinness is riding a massive wave right now, The AA brought the laughs, and easyJet served up some winter sun inspo. But while some brands were spreading cheer, Paddy Power Betfair landed in hot water over problem gambling failings.
HAILS
King Charles pours the ‘perfect pint’ for Guinness
If you’re launching a venue, there are big-name openers… and then there’s the King. Guinness pulled off the ultimate headline-grabber as King Charles officially opened its new London brewery and even got hands-on behind the bar. It’s the most unlikely (and therefore most irresistible) PR moment, and perfectly timed as Guinness continues to be the drink everyone seems to be ordering right now.
The AA and Elves Behavin’ Badly ensure mischief
The AA teaming up with Elves Behavin’ Badly is exactly the kind of left-field festive collab that works because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s cheeky, tongue-in-cheek and full of personality, showing a traditionally “serious” brand can still have a playful side (without losing credibility). Christmas campaigns should be fun, and this one gets it.
easyJet launches a ‘Winter Sun Index’
easyJet has tapped into the collective mood with its new Winter Sun Index, basically a permission slip to ditch the grey skies and chase some warmth. It’s timely, relatable and actually helpful, giving people a nudge (and a shortlist) when we’re all dreaming of a last-minute escape. Honestly, it’s the kind of campaign that makes you check your remaining days of annual leave.
FAIL
Paddy Power Betfair to pay £2m over problem gambling failings
Paddy Power Betfair has agreed to pay £2 million after regulators found failures in how it protected customers from gambling-related harm. The criticism centred on systems that were too slow to act when warning signs appeared, a serious issue in a sector where trust and responsibility should be non-negotiable. It’s a reminder that in high-scrutiny industries, reputational damage can hit just as hard as the financial penalty.
