10 Yetis Insight Blog - A Round Up Of The Best 2017 Blue Monday PR Stunts

So next Monday (the 16^th January) is Blue Monday.

You’ve heard of it, right?

It typically occurs on the second or third Monday of each new year, and is (unofficially) considered to be the most depressing day of the year.

Basically, by this point in the year everyone is sick of being back at work with their next holiday months away, but still poor and fat from an over-excessive Christmas (GUILLLTYYYYYYYYY!!!!)

Now, many people might not be aware of this, but did you know that the first ever Blue Monday reference came from a press release sent out by the team at Sky Travel waaaaaaay back in 2005? (as if that was 12 years ago though – I remember it like it was yesterday!)

Anyway, since then, the notion of Blue Monday has been a PR’s dream, particular for those of us working within the realm of consumer PR with emphasis on lifestyle goods, products or services. As always, there will inevitably be the usual journalists who tweet, pleading for PR’s to refrain from sending them any more ‘Blue Monday’ related releases or pitches; but having said that, each year, brands are successfully securing themselves a heck load of coverage as a result of piggybacking on the date.

In celebration of that fact, here are some of the brands that I feel are the 2017 winners of the Blue Monday headline hijack (so far!):

Gourmet Burger

You know the one thing I love more than burgers?

FREE BURGERS.

That is exactly what the guys over at Gourmet Burger are offering 4000 lucky customers this Blue Monday. To grab your free lunch, simply download the GBK app on your phone and show your unique ID number to redeem.

Franco Manca

Whilst we’re on the subject of free lunches, if you prefer an Italian over an American, then Franco Manca have got you covered for your lunch on the most depressing day of the year.

In all honesty, I’d never heard of this pizza chain before researching this blog, and most of the current UK locations seem to be based in or around the London area. I guess that’s just the beauty of Blue Monday marketing techniques though, am I right?

Anyway, the catch with this offer is that in order to redeem a free pizza on Monday, you will need to have a birthday that falls in the month of January.

As a smug June baby, with a birthday that always meant I’d never have to wait more than 6 months for presents when I was growing up (shout out to Lynne and Mark for their great timing on that one!) I’m not too jealous about this one. It can’t be easy trying to organsie a decent birthday night out when you’re born in a month that notoriously leaves people poor and overweight. I’m going to let the January babies have this.

Yo Sushi!

As a HUGE fan of Yo Sushi, I am probably more guilty than most of taking advantage of Blue January, the annual promotion at Yo Sushi, which actually lasts the majority of the month rather than just one day.

If you’ve never been, or you’re not a fan of the raw fish, seaweed or miso soup on offer (it’s delicious, btw!), then up until January 29^th you can visit a restaurant and try out 40 of the most popular dishes for just £2.70 (up to 40% off the regular price). So even if you hate it, at least you won’t have spent a fortune finding that out!

Young’s

Finally, British pub chain Young’s is transforming a pub in Finsbury Square into a ‘house of happiness’ in order to cheer up anyone feeling particularly down on Blue Monday.

Whilst you might argue that ANY pub is a house of happiness, this one goes a little bit further in guaranteeing joy. The pop-up will start off by offering visitors eye-masks and slippers for full relaxation and calm. There are also going to be escapism pods to help block the pressures of the outside world, massages on offer, well-being talks, shoe-shining, happiness talks, whiskey tasting (YASSSS!!), tea blending and cake decoration. Basically, something for everyone.

According to a spokesperson for Young’s, visitors will be welcome to stay as long as they like and will be given a goody containing a pick of uplifting essentials from the experience, along with a pack of seeds and bulbs to inspire positive springtime thinking.

Nice.

Happy Blue Monday, everyone!