10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad PR - Monday 21st May 2018

Happy Monday everybody! It’s another lovely day and with a supposed 10 day heatwave incoming let’s take a look at the good and bad PR, starting with a product that I think we could all do with this week.

Good PR

ASDA’s Inflatable Lounge Pool

ASDA are back on our list again for good PR, showing their ability to tap in to the current climate (literally), and take advantage of how crazy us British get at the first sign of sun. Their £30 inflatable lounge pool, which completely sold out last summer, is being brought back, but you best be quick if you want one as they are very popular.

If you want a swimming pool in your garden but can’t afford a real one this might be the perfect middle ground for you. It even comes with built in cup holders to contain all of your ... water.

Marks and Spencer’s temporary rebrand

I could hardly do a good and bad PR today without mentioning *that* wedding. With Harry and Meghan tying the knot on Saturday and half of the world tuning in to watch, the Royal Wedding offered a great opportunity for brands to piggyback the event and get people talking.

This is exactly what a whole host of Marks and Spencer stores across the country did; temporarily changing their name to honour the happy couple. For the duration of the weekend the stores altered their name from Marks and Spencer to ‘Markle and Sparkle’, after the bride’s maiden name. Included in the rebrand was the Windsor store, past which Meghan and Harry were expected to walk following their nuptials.

Bad PR

Argentina FA’s ‘flirting manual’

The football association of Argentina landed itself in hot water last week, with a frankly bizarre manual given to journalists travelling to the World Cup in Russia. The manual was given to Argentine journalists with advice on travelling to Russia, but included a chapter on ‘how to stand a chance with a Russian girl’.

The manual was made in extremely poor taste, particularly in light of the ‘me too’ movement, and months after a huge equal rights march in Buenos Aires; the biggest of its kind in Latin America. The chapter, which included advice such as ‘take the initiative’, is at best stupid, and at worst deeply offensive and divisive.

Govia Thameslink Railway disruptions

STOP THE PRESS! A railway company is at the heart of commuting disruptions and controversy. Shocking I know, but commuters are today experiencing a second day of delays and disruptions, following a timetable update from GTR.

GTR, made up of Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Gatwick Express, introduced a new timetable yesterday, with general chaos ensuing. There have been major delays on the lines today and a number of trains have been cancelled, leaving commuters understandably aggrieved. Delays are expected to continue whilst the new timetable is rolled out, which I’m sure will continue to go down as well as it has today and yesterday.