Hails & Fails – January 17th 2025
January has felt like a whole 12 months already if you ask us. In the news, reports of a TikTok ban have worried creators in the US, deadly wildfires have caused devastation in Los Angeles and former Hollyoaks favourite Paul Danan tragically passing away have caught our attention.
In PR land, this month has so far been full of great stories – all worthy of fame.
Apple TV’s series Severance staged an incredible stunt, BBC’s Traitors were applauded for a mock billboard and Lime bikes found the spotlight without even trying! But telecommunications giant BT were left red-faced after being forced to scrap their green idea.
HAILS
Severance stunt
The cast of the series Severance worked from glass cubicles inside NYC’s Grand Central Terminal this week, leaving commuters stunned.
The stunt launched season two of the series which begins on Apple TV this weekend. The drama centres around a surgical procedure that separates the work self from the out-of-office self.
Actors Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry and Patricia Arquette were all inside the box completing eerie office tasks and having awkwardly improvised water cooler chats.
Alice Lee – Account Director: “If like me, you have been waiting impatiently for season two of Severance, you’ll love this! A simple idea which brings the show to life, The stunt also ties in with the theme of the show – a split from reality, totally shut off from the outside world.”
The performance of a lifetime
Fans of BBC’s The Traitors have enjoyed this week’s mock award on a Leicester Square billboard, which shows reality TV star Linda and a ‘Golden Cloak Award’ for “performance of a lifetime”.
Throughout the third series, the 70 year-old retired opera singer convincingly burst into tears, gasped and looked visibly upset by cast members “murdered” – despite being a Traitor herself.
Daisy Bradbury – Junior Account Manager: “The Traitors is back and the name on everyone’s lips is Linda – thanks to her crocodile tears, iconic one-liners and questionable acting. The BBC didn’t waste any time jumping on the hype, coinciding with the Golden Globe Awards to create a massive billboard in Leicester Square. What a clever way to embrace the memes.”
A Lime-ousine
Bafta-nominated actor Timothee Chalamet made headlines (again!) this week for arriving to the London premiere of the Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ on a Lime e-bike.
His eco-friendly red-carpet entrance sent the internet into a frenzy and this quirky stunt was a gift for the green company.
Unfortunately for Timothee, he was hit with a £65 fine for parking the bike in an unauthorised spot after arriving at the glitzy premiere at BFI Southbank.
Jess Redfearn – Midweight Creative: “Lime confirmed the actor’s stunt was completely organic which makes it so much more incredible.”
FAIL
Scheme scrapped
BT have abandoned a scheme to repurpose green street cabinets into electric vehicle (EV) charging points after completing only ONE of 60,000 conversions.
The metal cases, seen on streets around the UK, are usually used for phone and broadband cables.
The firm has said it will be focussing on “the Wi-Fi connectivity challenge surrounding EV’s” instead.
One out of 60,000 is better than nothing, we guess!
Chris Bradley – News Editor: “BT famously said ‘it’s good to talk’ in their TV adverts, but I doubt they’ll want to hear about this again…”
Want more information? Contact us here