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HOW ‘SUPER’ IS THE SUPERBOWL REALLY?

Monday, February 8th, 2010

AMERICA hasn’t slept for weeks in anticipation of this year’s Superbowl final which finally got underway last night.

It was billed as The People’s Superbowl, largely because it featured the New Orleans Saints – the team from the legendary home of the blues, a city which is still in recovery from the devastating Hurricane Katrina which ruthlessly ripped the place apart in 2005.

The Saints did, indeed, go marching on last night as they triumphed over their hugely favoured rivals, the Indianapolis Colts – willed on, seemingly, by the entire country. America loves an underdog almost as much as a hotdog, after all.

“This was a victory for all America,” one worryingly over-excited Saints fan screamed at a CBS news-crew after the win. “A victory of triumph over adversity.”

No-one can begrudge New Orleans that sentiment, that moment of glory after death and devastation punctuated every choking breath of recovery The Big Easy seemed to take in the aftermath of Katrina.

But……let’s take a brief look beyond the veneer of this script – one that will clearly become a Hollywood movie long before decency should allow it – for just one, sober moment shall we?

Today, as the sun rises and cleaners move into New Orleans’ French Quarter to mop up after last night’s David V Goliath Superbowl victory celebrations what do you think is the most talked about Superbowl moment?

Was it that poetic winning touchdown, the dramatic turn of events as the Saints, for one short year, symbolised the entire American spirit of ‘never say die’? Was it?

Err, no, actually. It wasn’t. Nowhere near.

Katrina was horrifying and horrendous. Moreover, undeserved. It was nature at its most unpredictable – vicious, violent and merciless. America and the rest of the world sat open-mouthed as news streams beamed pictures into our homes of the biblical devastation of this proud city.

But put a search into Google News today for ‘‘Superbowl 2010′ and what are most Americans talking about?

Answer – a Superbowl-themed advert during a game-break which featured talk show hosts Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman.

I kid you not.

The American dream eh?

Never miss the opportunity to make a buck. It’s a great lesson to teach the kids isn’t it?

By Adam Moss, Brazen News Editor

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Posted in Consumer, Consumer PR, News, Public Relations | No Comments »

THE “SWISH” FAMILY ROBINSON PR NIGHTMARE

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Last week it was revealed that the wife of Northern Ireland’s first minister Peter Robinson had, had an affair with a man less than half her age. As a media frenzy commenced, it became clear that the affair had gone on for some time and included Iris Robinson securing a £50,000 loan for her 19 year-old lover, enabling him to open up his own Riverside cafe.

The golden couple of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) had shared the political limelight for some time and Iris had previously caused controversy when she condemned homosexuality as an ‘abomination’. This, however, wasn’t her downfall.

What started out as a scandalous revelation about a marital affair quickly spiraled into a PR nightmare. The allegations made regarding Peter Robinson’s knowledge of his wife’s loans were what was most worrying to his supporters. If he had kept this secret, what other loans and politician agreements had he hidden?

Robinson’s credibility amongst his supporters had been damaged and his position within the DUP and the assembly had been compromised. The first strategy Peter took was damage limitation by inviting carefully selected key journalists to his home for a press conference. Breaking down in front of the cameras regarding his wife’s affair, viewers were shocked to see the strong political figure crumble.

Tactics then swiftly changed, after opinion polls in local papers and on radio stations revealed that public anger was being aimed at BOTH the husband and wife regarding their financial affairs as it emerged that the couple earned £571,939.41 last year solely through wages and expenses.

After pressure from opposing parties, Irish and British governments and BBC Panorama and Spotlight documentaries, on Monday 11 January Peter Robinson temporarily quit his role as Northern Ireland’s First Minister.

You can’t help but ask, if he had gone about his media strategy in a different manner, being more honest with the public from the outset of the revelation, before the documentaries went out, would he have had to quit? Would his wife be undergoing psychiatric treatment?

Who can say but this scandal won’t just be effecting the gossip columns, Robinson’s forced resignation has now left the media speculating as to whether the coalition agreement between the political parties in Northern Ireland is still secure.

By Heather Kenny, Account Executive

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Posted in Brazen PR, Public Relations | No Comments »

BRAZEN’S 2010 PR-EVIEW

Monday, January 4th, 2010

A New Year and a new NewsAgenda beckons for the dawning of the Teenies. With an exciting year ahead, failing to prepare your consumer PR campaign is preparing to fail…as the old saying goes.

Not to steal our illustrious Brazen News Editor’s thunder, but here’s some key dates in the 2010 calendar that every PR consultancy should have circled and even double-underlined in their diary. Identifying the opportunity and planning your news hook around it, is paramount in obtaining those all important headlines!

Current – CBB – Yes it’s the last ever and will no doubt go out with a bang…we hope.

10-17 JAN – WORLD SNOOKER MASTERS – The year’s first major sporting event.

12 FEB – WINTER OLYMPICS – Heroes and villains in the making as the Winter Games roll into Vancouver. As if we haven’t seen enough snow lately…Team GB Curling squad should be a safe bet.

16 FEB – THE BRITS – A celebration of British music and eccentric PR stunts

21 FEB – THE BAFTAS – Duller than The Brits, but far more glitz and glamour. Go get your product papped!

28 FEB – CARLING CUP FINAL – Aston Villa take on Manchester City or United at Wembley. (Being a Villa fan…we automatically qualify in my eyes)

7 MAR – OSCARS – The real BAFTAS…

11-14 MAR – CRUFTS – If there’s one thing Britain loves more than binge drinking…it’s a pet. And dogs to be precise in this case. Now, if we could only teach the canines to binge drink we’d be onto a winner!

MAR-TO WHENEVER GORDON BROWN BLOODY WELL LIKES – THE GENERAL ELECTION – So the date hasn’t been set but this will be the biggest talking point of the year and conversation is already happening. Only the very best commercial news hooks will make, make sure it’s yours!

3 APRIL – BOAT RACE – Not just a bunch of toffs in a boat…but a bunch of toffs in a boat with lots of cameras pointing at them!

10 APRIL – GRAND NATIONAL – A great opportunity to spin coverage and win yourself some cash in the annual office sweepstake.

25 APRIL – LONDON MARATHON – Without doubt one of, if not the largest, sporting event in the UK. Great opps for coverage and experiential marketing.

9 MAY – LAST DAY OF PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON – Nail biting moments…

15 MAY – FA CUP FINAL – The most famous cup final in the world, FA Cup fever hits the UK.

22 MAY – CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL – Considered by big clubs to be football’s Holy Grail…this year the final is at the Bernabeu, Madrid.

25-29 MAY – CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW – Who could forget James May’s plasticine garden from last year?

28 MAY – SEX AND THE CITY 2 – After all the month’s football, the ladies will need a little rest-bite.

31 MAY – CHEESE ROLLING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Britain’s love affair with eccentric events will continue…

TBC MAY – BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT FINALS – Please…not another Subo!

11 JUNE-11 JULY – 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP – The second biggest talking point of the year, first if we win it. Once again, only the cleverest campaigns will be successful.

21 JUNE – WIMBLEDON – If the World Cup isn’t enough, how about a spot of tennis also. Strawberries and sausage anyone?

23-27 JUNE – GLASTO FESTIVAL – The world’s most famous music festival turns 40 this year and is promising to boast its best lineup ever!

9 JULY – TWILIGHT – Twilight and its hysteria returns for the third installment – Eclipse.

10 JULY – WORLD PEA-SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Amid the World Cup dullness, finally an event to get excited about…

11 JULY – WORLD CUP FINAL – 7.30pm, Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg. It’s coming home…

21-22 AUG – V FESTIVAL – Dancing chavs…

27-29 AUG – READING AND LEEDS FESTIVALS – Dancing emos…

29 AUG – WORLD BOG SNORKELLING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Got a new prototype snorkel or flipper to promote? Prepare to get muddy…

29-30 AUG – NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL – The beautiful art of combined dance and rioting.

11 SEPT – THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS – Is there anything more British, other than puking in the gutters of San Antonio?

11-12 SEPT – BOGNOR BIRDMAN COMPETITION – Those magnificent men and their flying machines, make a scene and secure those headlines.

18 SEPT – WORLD GURNING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Ideal sponsorship opportunity for a cosmetic surgery clinic.

1-3 OCT – RYDER CUP – Golf’s biggest team event takes place at Celtic Manor in Newport, South Wales.

10 OCT – WORLD CONKER CHAMPIONSHIPS – What can I say, October’s a quiet month…

4 NOV – PETER KAY STAND-UP TOUR – The hugely anticipated return of Peter Kay which will no doubt place him head and shoulders above any other Brit celeb in the media pecking order.

TBC NOV – I’M A CELEBRITY…GET ME OUT OF HERE – Katie Price once again returns to our screens…

19 NOV – HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – Harry Potter fever…or flop?

25 NOV – THE ASHES – Just when you thought all the sport was finished, The Ashes commence just in time for Christmas. Bring it on!

2 DEC – FIFA ANNOUNCE WORLD CUP 2018 HOST – The biggest decision of the year! Bigger than BGT, X Factor and Strictly combined, will England be hosting the 2018 tournament?

By Graeme Anthony, Senior Account Manager

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Posted in Consumer PR, Public Relations | No Comments »

13 LESSONS FROM THE RECESSION

Friday, November 13th, 2009

This morning I went to Lessons From The Recession, a presentation by Katrina Michel and Liz Bielinska from Planning Express. This particular event was in association with Orchard and, though I go to lots of these things, this one was fun and very informative. Below are a few key points. Hope you find it useful too…

1. IN LOVE WITH NOSTALGIA

• People are harking back to “when it was all good and things were happier” than in the current climate
• Brands have embraced this such as M&S with their 1p Bazaar
• There has been a sales increase in nostalgic brands and products, such as Stork, Cake Mixture, Beans, Bisto and Rich Tea biscuits
• Fray Bentos pies has seen a sales increase of over 40%

THE CONTINUING TREND

• In 2010 and beyond brands that scream nostalgia will continue to thrive

2. GET IT FOR LESS OR FREE

• The current trends are M&S Dinner for 2 for £10. Morrisons launching Christmas dinner for £2.75 a head! Audi offering two free services on their cars
• People want value for money
• Latest data shows 80% of people are actively looking for bargains and 50% are using money off vouchers
• Buying things on the cheap is no longer something to be ashamed of, illustrated by Stella McCartney doing a range for Gap and Jimmy Choo creating a range for H&M

THE CONTINUING TREND

• There will be a long-term resistance to paying full price. Due to the continued discounts and offers in store because of the recession, people have changed their perception of price and what things are actually worth

3. WASTE NOT

• Waste less, spend less
• Throwing things away now fills us with guilt
• Due to our lack of money, wasting things feels bad
• The humble shopping list is now back to discourage impulse buying and some supermarkets are considering putting a ‘shopping list holder’ on the front of the trolley
• People are now eating food way past the sell by date
• People now feel they have to recycle more as they have a moral duty to do so

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Recycling is here to stay
• BOGOF’s are dead as people now see this as wasteful, but money off is here to stay

4. A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED

• There has been a mass awakening to the fact that we all have to save
• 86% of people now hate being in debt
• We are taking saving tips from our parents as they did it so well
• Due to the extension of retirement age, people now want to control their own retirement age and the only way they will do that is to save

THE CONTINUING TREND

• People will save save save

5. MEND AND MAKE DO

• Everyone knows they have too much stuff. People are now turning to mending things rather than buying new
• Shoemakers Timpson has recorded a 40% lift in sales due to people mending their shoes rather than buying new
• People are hanging onto products for longer, so cars, beds and kitchen appliances people are getting them fixed or making do rather than replacing

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Having more stuff is becoming un-trendy
• Buying purposeful stuff and less of it is trendy

6. INFORMAL SOURCES OF INFO/OPINIONS

• People want to hear from other people and value what other people say, especially online, across all sorts of products and services
• Even down to mybuilder.com where you can rate the service the builder/handyman has provided
• PR is at the heart of this
• People are now owning brands, not necessarily the marketing department

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Marketing/PR are now directing people’s opinions of brands not shaping them. Consumers are shaping brands

7. OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND

• As we all know big brands have failed this year such as Woolworths GM Motors etc
• 53% of people are less likely to be loyal to brands
• The brands that have failed have been mediocre

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Brands/Companies should always ask “ If we didn’t exist/provide a service would there be a need for us to be invented”

8. LOSS OF TRUST IN THE BANKS

• People see the banks as greedy
• Only 30% of people trust banks
• The current Natwest “HELPFUL BANKING” advert people don’t believe the sentiment

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Anyone operating in Financial Services needs to be seen as truthful

9. BECAUSE IT AINT WORTH IT

• Organic food sales are down 40% and have been denounced by ASDA
• Value lines in supermarkets have come into their own as people buy them and work out the difference between them and branded goods
• Trading down is officially cool
• Fairy Liquid is one brand that has managed not to be affected by this and is still going strong – possibly because of its claim of washing thousands of dishes – people see it as good value

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Trading down to own brand or value is only going to continue

10. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

• We are all staying in more
• 35% of us are going out less
• We are even exercising at home due to Wii Fit
• Staying in is trendy as more people invest in entertaining in their home, whether that be on a new HD TV or a PS3

THE CONTINUING TREND

• We will all go out again, but not as much, as now our home is at the centre of entertaining our friends and ourselves

11. BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

• Trusted brands are going to become ever more important
• Brands that have survived the recession are simply going to get stronger, as these are the brands that have helped people through the difficult climate, whether giving more value or providing discounts – it’s all about goodwill
• And it doesn’t matter what advertising says as never before have so many people been unconvinced by advertising messages

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Goodwill & great PR; advertising will continue to falter

12. KEEP IT SIMPLE

• There is so much technology but people are becoming resistant to higher functionality of products
• Gadgets that are straight-forward and do their job have more appeal
• As consumers we are being over-loaded with technology
• 76% of people just want a mobile to make calls and text
• We haven’t got time to learn new things

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Embrace technology but keep it simple

13. SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

• Grand gestures are out the window
• People now want something that matters “it’s the thought that counts” is now in full effect

THE CONTINUING TREND

• Thoughtful simple products are the way forward

By Gary Bramwell, Deputy MD

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Posted in Brazen PR, Consumer, Consumer PR, Public Relations | 2 Comments »

BRAZEN HELPS DELIVER No 1 SPOT FOR CHICAGO TOWN

Friday, June 5th, 2009

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We just love it when clients go above and beyond to show us how happy they are with our work! Chicago Town Pizza for tea anyone?

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WOMEN…GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

No, I’ve not turned into a bigot but last week I had the pleasure of meeting Gizzi Erskine who we’ve just signed for yet another big Brazen consumer PR campaign.

Gizzi describes herself as a food writer, stylist, television presenter and not to forget a damn good chef. Best known for being one of the presenters on Channel 4′s Cook Yourself Thin…I can only really illustrate Gizzi as an English rose within the celebrity chef circles.

Youthful elegance mixed with extracts of coolness and confidence all topped off with sprinkles of kitsch-punk and drop-dead gorgeous looks…this is the perfect recipe for one lady rising faster than a loaf of bread!

But don’t be fooled that Gizzi is just ‘another celeb chef’ for she is determined to break the culinary boundaries of pomposity and pretension within what she sees as an aging and male dominated industry.

And she has a point. The loudmouths of the world often claim that ‘the woman’s place is in the kitchen’. And I suppose these stereotypes have been generated from yesteryear’s domestic goddesses.

So after all those years of being ‘chained to the oven’, why is it that post-women’s empowerment, the UK’s most famous chefs are all mainly men? Gordon, Jamie, Heston, Hugh, Ainsley, etc, etc….the list goes on.

Ok, you can argue that the likes of Delia and Nigella are on par in terms of fame, fortune and culinary skills but where does the future lie? With today’s media advancements, Gizzi is set about revolutionising the virtual-kitchen and promoting cookery to the Myspace Generation and Digital Inhabitants.

This is where Gizzi comes into her own, she’s a breath of fresh air within a stale and smokey kitchen. Two things are for sure. The first being this girl is destined for big things and the second…I can’t wait to taste her food!

By Graeme Anthony, Account Manager

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Posted in Brazen PR, Celebrity, Consumer, Public Relations | No Comments »

GETTING DOWN N’ DIRTY WITH DAME VIVIENNE

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

With Brazen representing two of the biggest cleaning brands in Europe (Vileda & Dr.Beckmann) I would consider myself firmly on the way to domestic goddess status. I don’t think Nigella Lawson has anything to be worried about just yet, but I’m a dab hand with my marigolds and washing machine.

So you can imagine that when I heard fashion supremeo Dame Vivienne Westwood didn’t even wash her bras I was shocked. I mean how can you not wash your bras? Even if you are a living legend.

I discussed this with my Dr.Beckmann client, Lesley Naylor, who we call ‘the stain guru’ (seriously, she’s amazing at all things stain removal) and she didn’t find Dame Vivienne’s confession shocking in the slightest.

I asked Lesley to dig deeper into the Dr.Beckmann customer research and she confirmed that Dame Vivienne was indeed not alone in her lingerie hygiene habits. The average British women washes her bras once every seven wears which roughly equates to two months or six times a year.

Ironically the research also revealed that white bras are the UK’s favourite, as women love a fresh, clean look – hmm methinks this doesn’t last for long though does it now ladies?

The words ‘news story’ flashed in my head like neon lights (Ally McBeal moment) and with the help of the downright dirty Dr.Beckmann customer research, we issued a national release that shocked the likes of The Mail, The Express, Telegraph, Mirror and OK!.

Within minutes of the story appearing online, people were already posting comments and sharing their bra washing routines – can you imagine!

A perfect example of how a simple story that was hooked onto something topical can spark interesting online debate and conversation. Not to mention national coverage.

And as for my bras, well that would be telling now wouldn’t it?

By Louise Jacobson, Account Director

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Posted in Brazen PR, Consumer, Manchester PR, Public Relations | No Comments »

IT’S ST GEORGE’S DAY

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Today, 23rd April is St. George’s Day, our national day.

It is the day to celebrate our patron saint, St. George, whose emblem is a red cross on a white background – the flag of England.

The flag was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and was brought to England in the 12th century. During battle, the King’s soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion.

So begs the question, with all of the history and bravery surrounding St. George, why isn’t St. George’s Day a national holiday in England?

We believe it should be! Countries all over the world have their own ‘days’ that are celebrated whole-heartedly. In England, we arguably celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with more gusto!

This week, our client, Cheshire cheese also demonstrated its belief that it should be a national holiday and produced a giant St George’s Cross entirely from Cheshire cheese.

Featured in the Express today, the flag was one of the more unusual items we have constructed at Brazen in recent months!

By Lorna O’Neill, Account Manager

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Posted in Brazen PR, Consumer, Manchester PR, News, Photoshoots, Public Relations, Stunts | No Comments »

HAPPY LOVE LICORICE DAY 2009!

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Many foods are loved and loathed with equal passion.

Are you one of the ones who will stand up and shout about how much you love sprouts from the rooftops or do you hate tuna so much that just the smell turns your stomach?

One such man is Mr Angry, who tried Nando’s Extra Extra Hot Sauce and has not stopped ranting and raving ever since!

Another food that especially provokes the “Marmite effect” is licorice. So strongly divided is the UK population that Panda decided to name the 16 April as Love Licorice Day and encourage everyone to have another go and see what they think of licorice.

Loved by pandas especially and rabbits, although they are not allowed to eat it as they can’t digest it. Celebrities who can’t get enough of the black stuff include Brad Pitt, Lindsay Lohan and Anne Hathaway and it is regularly relied on in films to help with special effects.

Panda licorice is fat free and has no added “nasties” which makes it perfect for those on a diet craving a sweet snack.

So go on, try something you always thought you didn’t like – how many people hated tomatoes when a kid and now eat them all the time??

By Emma Trimble, Account Manager

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Posted in Brazen PR, Consumer, Public Relations | 1 Comment »

Sleepy Stapleford Hits The Headlines

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

WHILE the chances of USA President Barack Obama visiting the tiny Cambridgeshire village of Stapleford – according to news reports, his family’s newly discovered ancestral home – maybe slimmer than an RBS clerk’s career prospects, the good people of the quiet backwater village should be prepared for an invasion of unfamiliar faces.

Right now, this very minute, there are high-level discussions taking place in newsrooms in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Chicago about which reporter will be dispatched to Stapleford, four miles South of Cambridge city, to dig up a story or two on the new Pres.

Stapleford, I guarantee you, will not know what has hit it.

Expect interviews on CNN with Percy, the local plasterer whose great, great, great grandad once danced with the ex-girlfriend of Obama’s ancestral grandfather.

Expect revelations that , shock horror, one of Barack’s ancestor’s spent the night in the local police station cell after drinking himself into a stupor and being discovered unconscious and dressed in nothing but a pink silk basque outside the village pub.

Or, for readers of those two fine American tabloid tomes – The National Enquirer and the New York Post – expect headlines proclaiming ‘Ely Obama – The Truth About the Cambridge Werewolf!’.

God only knows what our Yankee cousins will make of the Wandlebury Ring. It is, in fact, an Iron Age hill fort, originally built in the third century B.C., but rebuilt with a double bank in the first century A.D.
It’s gold dust for the American tabloid journos though.

The Werewolf of Wandlebury Ring – it will star Jamie Foxx as Ely Obama and Alan Rickman as the evil lord who refuses to let him marry the local vicar’s daughter –played, of course, by Kate Winslet. There’ll also be an ensemble cast featuring assorted American actresses with the best plumby English accents.

Stapleford is home to three pubs; The Rose, The Longbow and The Tree, St Andrews church, a primary school, several garages, two hairdressers, allotments, a Sunday League football team and several farms.

It’s got a pub called the Longbow – so Robin Hood must have been a regular guest, or at least that’s what the Americans will be telling the world.
What is about to befall Stapleford happened a few years ago to a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands called Dornoch.

Dornochians were very happy with their two pubs, local church and village shop and the laid back pace of their everyday lives.

Then Madonna decided to get married to Brit director Guy Ritchie at their church. All hell broke loose.

Half of America booked into the area’s two hotels and, seemingly, every house in the village became a B&B overnight to accommodate the growing list of top American media commentators desperate to comment on the showbiz wedding of the year.

The local general store made a killing – they ordered in a huge run of aluminium ladders and sold out as photographers paid ridiculous prices to get the best viewpoint for the moment when the newly married Mr & Mrs Madonna left the church.

Will life in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire, ever be quite the same again?

By Adam Moss, News Editor

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Posted in News, Public Relations, Stunts | 2 Comments »

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