Hails & Fails – Jan 22nd 2021
HAILS
Samaritans turn Blue Monday into Brew Monday
Samaritans turned the most depressing day of the year, or Blue Monday as it’s better known, into the much more positive Brew Monday this week, encouraging people to make a cup of tea and have a chat on the phone or online with those they care about. A really simple approach to an annual day many people dread, turned on its head with this really simple but effective campaign, which saw the hashtag #BrewMonday trending. Nicely done.
Uber gets the most vulnerable to Covid-19 vaccination centres for free
Uber won headlines and acclaim this week by offering to cover up to £15 of passengers’ trips to and from the mass-vaccination centres across the UK.
Even Health Secretary Matt Hancock was moved to describe the initiative as ‘great’, and hopes it will help to accelerate the vaccine rollout across the country. A really timely campaign that rightly received lots of media coverage.
Marks and Spencer kindly boost £15 free school meal vouchers to £20
Marks & Spencer won plaudits galore this week after announcing it will add £5 to every £15 free school meal voucher spent in the supermarket.
The government-backed vouchers are issued to low income families whose children usually benefit from free school meals, to help pay for lunches while schools are closed due to England’s national lockdown. It means that parents are be able to get £20 worth of food in total, which M&S says will help kids get a free breakfast too. A great way to act on a hugely important and trending news story in a positive way. Bravo!
FAILS
Oatly Milk ad sparks accusations of 'mocking alcoholism'
Oatly has been accused of making fun of alcoholics after their TV ad came under fire as ‘careless’ this week.
Their ‘Help Dad’ ads shows children having a go their parents for continuing to drink cow’s milk – and not the company’s oat-based version.
In one part, a dad even sneaks into the house late at night, only to be caught by his son at the fridge. The manufacturers of the milk alternative have been forced to publicly defend themselves due to accusations that they’re undermining real battles with the bottle.
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