06th Dec 2016 by Andy Barr

10 Yetis Insight Blog - Top Five Festive PR Stunts of 2016 (So Far!)

Here it is guys.

We are binge-eating mince pies and selection boxes, the office Christmas party outfits are being planned and we are all listening to our tailor-made festive spotify playlists. The countdown to Christmas has officially begun.

So, as we decorate our office with lights and hang ALL THE BAUBLES AND TINSELS on the Yeti Towers trees, I thought it would only be right to dedicate my insight blog this week to the very best examples of Christmas PR stunts that we’ve seen emerge so far this year.

John Lewis

Arguably the Christmas Kings of the British high street, the marketing and communications team at John Lewis have knocked it out of the park with PR stunts twice already this year (and it’s only December 2nd!)

The first occurred during the exciting lead-up to the much anticipated annual Christmas advert release. An A-Level media studies student called Nick Jablonka created a ‘fake’ John Lewis advert - focusing on the story of a sad snowman looking for a friend- on YouTube that was so damn good it convinced thousands that it was the real thing.

The power of John Lewis and its magical Christmas abilities meant that Nicks video was seen more than half a million times, and was even offered a job by a communications and advertising company for once he’s finished his education and university studies. Part of us thinks he will wait for the real thing and see if John Lewis offer him a real role to help create next years advert!

John Lewis 2.0

Another stroke of genius from John Lewis came in the form of reaching out to the REAL John Lewis from Virginia (@JohnLewis on Twitter), who received a whole selection of gifts from the retail chain (@JohnLewisRetail on Twitter) as an apology for the constant tweets he receives from us silly (and/or drunk) Britons each year in the lead up to Christmas, despite the fact his bio reads ‘not a retail store’.

The coolest gift was a personalised pillow branding his name and Twitter name, as well as stuffed animals and bedding. If you don’t already do so, head over to his account and give @JohnLewis a follow, his responses to disgruntled customers are nothing short of hilarious!

Tesco

As it did last year, Tesco has been celebrating the beginning of December by sending out its vans to the streets of the UK to spread the joy with free festive pastries.

The mince pie van has been travelling up a down the country to a list of pre-determined locations and giving away more than 18,000 treats to lucky allocated recipients. 1,000 pies will be offered in each city, and if someone isn’t at home when the Tesco van men rock up, they will even leave a voucher allowing you to grab it from your nearest store. Now THAT’S what I call Christmas generosity!

Dominos

Now, at first glimpse this might look like a PR disaster rather than a triumph, but we just HAD to give this idea executed by Dominos in Japan for being so bloomin’ adorable.

Due to the difficulty of delivering pizzas in the snow and blizzards during this time of the year in Japan, last week the company announced that it was to start delivering some orders through a reindeer service. However, once trials started, it was quickly discovered that reindeer aren’t really that great at getting pizza to customers doors, and have the tendency to fall over a lot, and forget the purpose of their travels. It was therefore decided that the plans were to be scrapped.

Conveniently enough, this news has come just in time for Dominos to now promote its reindeer-themed scooter.

Too good.

Coca Cola

Unless you are prepared to pay out an obscene amount of money on taxis after every party and event you travel to this festive season, then chances are you will be, or will at least be relying on, a designated driver. Coca Cola have once again teamed up with the Department for Transport’s THINK! Drink Drive campaign to offer an incentive to the unsung heroes willing to stay sober on nights out during December.

This clever and important stunt from Coca Cola is available in certain participating venues in the UK, and drivers can claim the offer for ‘buy one get one free’ soft drinks (coca-Cola Classic, Coke Zero, Appletiser and Schweppes items) by showing their keys at the bar.

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