Hails & Fails – May 14th 2021
As we approach the last weekend before we can all finally go inside pubs and restaurants, the PR industry has outdone itself with some hugely creative campaigns this week. Greggs went all AC-12 on us, Women’s Aid gave us a hugely moving video to highlight domestic abuse and Brazen client I Saw It First gave us the must-have accessory for a typically British summer. It was a week to forget, though, for The Metro newspaper, as they were forced into an embarrassing correction over a celebrity pregnancy story.
HAILS
Vicky McClure gets a Greggs 'burner phone' for her 38th birthday
Mother of God, Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey – Greggs has created a ‘burner phone’ for Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure – giving the star instant access to the bakery.
The mobile was delivered to the Bafta-winning actress in honour of her 38th birthday on Saturday, May 8.
The Greggs package included some celebratory sausage rolls, and a video message which invited Vicky to transfer from her role as DI Kate Fleming to OG-12 –’The Original Greggs Unit’. It also included details of a further delivery to a charity of her choice if she by replied to an awaiting text message from G. Brilliant – and it won tonnes of media coverage plus loads of social shares.
Women’s Aid launch moving video to highlight domestic abuse
Mel B has appeared beaten and covered in fake bruises for a shocking new video to highlight the effects of domestic violence.
The former Spice Girl can be seen attempting to flee her violent partner in the incredible Women’s Aid video, which was made in collaboration with classical composer Fabio D’Andrea.
Mel, who is now a patron for Women’s Aid, said: ‘I’m so incredibly proud to be part of this project which means so much to me because this is a collaboration of three things that are so important in my life. Music, dance and a way to highlight the ever increasing issue of violence towards women.”
The campaign, and the serious issue underpinning it, has rightly got lots of attention from national media.
ISAWITFIRST launches world-first… the ‘Honcho’
Brazen spotted an opportunity to launch reactive NPD for its client, ISAWITFIRST and won media coverage and social praise this week when it introduced the must-have summer accessory – the Honcho.
The Honcho – sun hat with detachable water-proof poncho – has been hailed as the “must-have fashion accessory for an unpredictable British summer”, allowing “people nationwide to enjoy dates outdoors, whilst still rocking a killer outfit.”
Leanne Holmes, Brand Director at ISAWITFIRST, said: “We have a wide variety of clothes and accessories for whatever the weather, however the British climate can be very unpredictable no matter what the season – especially in our brand’s hometown of Manchester.” It landed so well, the product is already sold out…
FAILS
Metro in Little Mix up
The Metro newspaper has had to apologise for confusing Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall in a picture caption on their front page.
The freemium publication announced the Little Mix baby news with both Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards announcing they’re pregnant just days apart.
Leigh-Anne was less than impressed when the national newspaper confused her with bandmate Jade.
On Twitter, Metro wrote: “In today’s paper, we wrongly captioned pictures of Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock as Jade Thirlwall. We are sorry for the error and are happy to set the record straight.”
Serious Oops!
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