Hails & Fails – May 23rd 2025
It’s been a busy news week. We’ve seen singer Peter Andre come under fire for his role in the film Jafaican, where he portrays a white man impersonating a Rastafarian; we watched as Gary Lineker announced he will step down from his role at the BBC following a controversial social media post and we saw pop star Chris Brown cough up a $6.7 million bail charge after allegations he assaulted a music producer in a London nightclub. Thankfully, there have also been some amazing PR campaigns to keep the nation smiling.
Tesco launched a ‘really useful’ wedding gift service, Aldi raised wellness eyebrows as they unveiled a sub-£30 ice bath, and Burger King went guerrilla with its HackDonald’s campaign. It was not a good week for Virgin Atlantic and Renault though, after they were called out for ‘greenwashing’ by Greenpeace.
HAILS
Tesco launches wedding gift list with a twist - think loo roll over love poems
Newlyweds can now register for practical presents thanks to Tesco’s unconventional gift registry – swapping silverware for shower gel.
Top picks include the £63 ‘Tesco Really Useful Stuff’ bundle, packed with loo roll, toothpaste, bin bags and more everyday essentials. For tea lovers, there’s the £39 ‘I Love Brew’ gift with a six-month stash of brews and biscuits. And for cosy nights in? The £72 ‘Dine-In Dates’ set, featuring Finest ready meals and wine.
Tesco says modern couples want useful over fancy – because nothing says love like never running out of toilet paper. Brilliant!
Chill out, literally, with Aldi’s new £29.99 inflatable ice bath
One of 2024’s hottest wellness trends just got cooler (and cheaper). Aldi’s bringing ice baths to the middle aisle on May 25 – and it’ll only set you back £29.99.
Inflatable, ready in 20 minutes, and made from tough, puncture-resistant material, it’s perfect for recovery, relaxation or just beating the heat. Set it up in your garden, garage – even a bus stop (Aldi did).
As Aldi says: Whether it’s post-workout pain or commuter rage – just dip and chill.
Burger King parks savage stunt right outside McDonald’s - and wins the internet
In classic BK style, the brand turned a local rivalry into viral gold by parking a cheeky mobile billboard right in front of a McDonald’s in Firminy, France. The truck blocked the Golden Arches, cheekily transforming them into “Mmmmh Burger King.”
The stunt was a masterclass in low-cost, high-impact marketing – proving that placement beats price tag.
One truck. One bold move. International headlines.
Forget size. This is how you hijack attention in the age of social sharing.
FAIL
Virgin Atlantic & Renault called out by Greenpeace
Greenpeace this week called out major brands Virgin Atlantic and Renault accusing them of still pushing misleading green claims, even after ASA censure. Virgin, Greenpeace says, has kept posts up touting a “100% sustainable” flight, even after the ASA ruled the wording exaggerated environmental benefits.
Greenpeace UK’s investigative journalism unit also claims that Renault continues to promote its hybrids as offering “80% electric driving in the city,” despite a watchdog ruling that the claim was misleading. The ASA flagged the companies for greenwashing – but they are still ignoring the warnings, the Greenpeace investigation contends.
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