Hails & Fails – March 26th 2021
HAILS
Bank of England turns the £50 note ‘pink’
The Bank of England has unveiled the new £50 banknote, which celebrates the achievements of mathematician Alan Turing.
Mr Turing, who was persecuted for being gay, helped Britain win World War Two by breaking the German Naval Enigma cipher in 1942 at Bletchley Park – GCHQ’s wartime home.
The note features an image of the scientist plus the mathematical formulae from his 1936 paper laying the groundwork for modern computer science. Cleverly launched to tee-up Pride month, from 23rd June, it’s won loads of media attention this week.
Banksy painting a ‘Game Changer’ for the NHS
A Banksy painting showing a young boy playing with a superhero nurse doll raised more than £16m for the NHS this week.
Game Changer, by the enigmatic graffiti artist, appeared at Southampton General Hospital during the first wave of the pandemic.
Christie’s said the price of £16m for the 1m x 1m work was a “world auction record” for a Banksy. Cue widespread media coverage and more fame and kudos for the mysterious street artist.
Captain America goes global
Captain America’s legendary shield has been beamed on to landmarks across the globe, including the London Eye, this week.
The legendary Marvel shield appeared on the London landmark to celebrate the launch of the highly-anticipated Disney + series ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’.
The shield was also beamed on to several landmarks across the globe, including the Singapore Flyer, Asia’s largest observation wheel, the Melbourne Star in Australia, the Luneur 1953 Flywheel in Rome, La Grande Roue de Marseille in France, MAAG Hall in Zurich, the Torre Latino in Mexico City and the Planetario in Buenos Aires. Cue worldwide media attention in one fell swoop.
FAILS
Investors shun Deliveroo over workers' rights
Six large UK investment firms will not buy Deliveroo shares after concerns over workers’ rights.
The delivery company hopes to be valued at up to £8.8bn when it lists shares next month. But Aberdeen Standard, Aviva Investors, BMO Global, CCLA, LGIM and M&G said they were put off by factors including the working conditions of its riders and lack of investor power.
Deliveroo said it had seen “significant demand” for stock but the investment backlash couldn’t fail to leave a bad taste in the mouth this week.
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