Hails & Fails – March 19th 2021
As the vaccine roll-out in the UK gathers pace, PR campaigns also provided a shot in the arm for national news coverage this week. Nike came out strong with a powerful advert to promote its maternity range, Mini got uber creative with its new models and M&S and ASDA promised to help vulnerable women. It was a difficult week for TV show TOWIE though, as the programme came under fire for seemingly breaking lockdown rules…
HAILS
Nike promotes maternity range with powerful new ad
Released to coincide with Mother’s Day in the UK, Nike’s bold new advert shows that pregnancy and motherhood doesn’t have to get in the way of being sporty.
The Toughest Athletes film shows how motherhood and sport can be successfully combined and features appearances from more than 20 mothers across various stages of their pregnancy, including everyday female athletes as well as Alex Morgan, Perri Edwards, Bianca Williams, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Nia Ali, and Serena Williams. It’s really powerful and has won lots of media acclaim.
Mini “Launched by” campaign puts creatives at the heart of their messaging
Car brand Mini has enlisted a host of creatives and designers – including a baker and a skateboarder – to promote its latest models.
Its “Launched by” campaign handed over design roles to eight creators including visual artist Miquela, skateboarder Briana King and fashion designer Sir Paul Smith to showcase the different models in their own distinct way. The campaign is designed to show that people who dare to do new things will inspire others with their ideas. It’s certainly turned heads across the media this week with loads of pickup in the UK.
Retail giants issue urgent message for any shoppers feeling unsafe
High street stores M&S and Asda have urged women feeling unsafe to find shelter in any of their stores.
Amid the debate around women’s safety, sparked by the Sarah Everard case, the two supermarket chains have said they want to do what they can to make sure people feel protected.
M&S posted a statement on Facebook where it told women that if they were to feel unsafe at any point, they will always be able to walk into one of its branches and ask staff for support. The initiative has already been praised by customers, who have flooded social networks with descriptions of how “wonderful” staff are, with many remembering past experiences of being warmly welcomed and supported by employees.
FAILS
TOWIE is hit with complaints to Ofcom over breaking lockdown rules
TV show The Only Way Is Essex has been hit by complaints to Ofcom after the stars were seen visiting pubs and restaurants while the UK is in lockdown.
Before the episode began, bosses clarified in a disclaimer that the 28th series was filmed following strict Covid-19 protocols so that the cast and crew are safe.
Despite the reassurance, as well as the complaints to Ofcom, many fans also took to Twitter to vent their anger that the cast was filming in bars and restaurants when the lockdown is still in place across the UK. Ouch!
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