"Always Summer"

Every summer, flip-flop lovers sport their favourite Havaianas as they journey to their Mediterranean destinations, stroll down beaches, or chill in the glorious sun. The summer spirit prompts people to indulge in happiness, creating a season that stirs people to venture into the great outdoors, indulging in a drink or two and having a good time.  

But what happens when the summer season ends? We've all seen that person walking down the street in London in a pair of Havaianas flip-flops in mid-March when the temperature has barely reached 15 degrees. There’s always one.  But Havaianas believe the fun shouldn't stop.  The brand intends to remind people they don’t need to wait for the summer season to rejoice in its spirit.  Come rain or blue skies, you can still think about sunshine, and foster the positive vibes.  This was the brand’s mantra for their previously launched competition campaign -“Race to Hawaii.”  Buyers had the chance to win a trip to the Hawaii (the home of Havaianas) when they purchase 2 pairs, in which they automatically get entered…

Summer is here and now.

Havaiainas weekend.

#PSoTW

#Havaianas

#AlwaysSummer

"Great sport happens here"

BT Sport burst onto the scene in May 2013, have a read of our blog piece on the topic from back then...


Click here


Initially the channel did not get the traction they were hoping for, and it wasn't until they had bought the rights to the Aviva Rugby Premiership, Premiership Football, and Europa and Champions League Football, that sports fans began to take them seriously.


There would have also been plenty of viewers left frustrated when they heard the news that BT Sport would be replacing ITV in broadcasting the Europa League and Champions League tournaments in 2015, last week however it was announced that the channel would be teaming up with Youtube to allow the site to stream both of this season's finals, for free. John Petter, BT Sport CEO commented the move was a "...plan to make these finals the most social sports broadcast ever." 

Sport is a social event, and BT are certainly on the way to building themselves into a recognisable network for sport viewing.

#Social
#BTSport
#PSoTW

You could say there’s a 'driving' ambition

If you hit a golf ball into a car, will it make a hole in one? To play golf at your favourite course, does it require a long drive..?  The puns could go on forever, and just as brands have done for decades, a campaign is usually effective when you put a play on words.

Traditionally, golf has been thought of as a sport enjoyed by the upper echelons of society. Whether by aiming advertising or sponsorship around the sport or by recruiting a famous professional golfer – adverts have generally been targeted as such – one example being the luxury watch-makers Rolex at The Open.

Every golfer must possess dexterity, determination, patience and precision to become an expert – all specifications that tie in very nicely when trying to sell your product or brand. 

One example of a golfer who possessed these attributes is Tiger Woods, probably the most recognisable golfer over the past 20 years – who was endorsed by Nike, Gillette and TAG Heuer amongst others. In much the same way advertising trends fluctuate - circumstances in Tiger’s private life led many of his main sponsors to drop him…

Whatever the ambition or aim of your campaign - awareness building, sales or brand positioning – golf can be an effective driver to meet these ambitions and keep your product at the fore front of the field

Of course this is just a rough guide...

Happy Golf Day.

#Expert

#GolfDay

"Where's your Kleenex when you need it?"

You may have noticed a sudden increase in the amount of sniffing going on - whether on a tightly packed train carriage, sat in the office or maybe in the cinema - Hayfever season is back, and lots of noses have started running.


Noticed how whenever you find a scrunched up tissue deep in your pockets but you never seem to need it? But when that moment strikes and you desperately need to blow your nose, the nearest tissue feels a mile away (perhaps a quite dive into the nearest coffee shop is the best solution.)


Apart from sniffing; others have long turned to Kleenex to wipe away tears. Previously the brand  ran a campaign that featured people coming to the rescue of friends in emotional distress. The tagline: "Let it out," - was utilised and the increasingly recognisable figure of Tom Hardy was seen crying in one TV ad...

In the future, remember to act responsibly and use a Kleenex.


#Responsible
#PSoTW
#Kleenex
#TomHardy

"Live Young"

Summer seems to have come early this week - so one thing we're all going to be in need of this weekend is water.

Arguably the most recognisable bottled water brand – Evian – and their inspired slogan ‘live young’ is a play on the name with a French accent 'l'evian.’ It is an even more fitting considering the water (supposedly) comes from the heart of the French Alps.

Evian have applied a theme of linking water with being and feeling young - and with the help of celebrity endorsement from female tennis star Maria Sharapova a number of ads have appeared featuring an adult next to their former youthful self. The latest episode in the campaign comes with a TV ad that continues this quirky theme at Baby Bay.

If you’re out enjoying the weather, remember to live young and drink Evian.

#EvianBabyBay

#EvianLiveYoung

#PSoTW

Cunning brands score with tactical placements

So, the impossible has happened. Something only ever previously seen in the 2031-32 season of Championship Manager has ACTUALLY happened...

After Tottenham's inability to protect a two-goal advantage away at Chelsea last night, Leicester City has won the Premier League. Described by some as the greatest ever achievement in team sport, this is a feel-good story that has dominated today's media - both the news pages as well as the paid-for space so we thought we'd put together a quick round-up...

As we so often see with momentous occasions, a spree of smart, tactical ads follow, all trying to grasp a nano-second of the public's (and especially the Sun readers') attention. 

Walkers Crisps has been consistent in its presence since MoTD lead man Gary Linekar said he would strip to his pants on TV if Leicester won the title. 

Taking out a series of digital billboards last month, they kick-started the 'countdown to kit off' which slowly removed packets of Walkers the closer that LCFC got to the title. 

The grand finale was unleashed as a full page ad in the Sun today. 

A highly muscular and tattooed version of the Leicester native and lifelong fan is seen holding a packet of specially released 'salt and victory' wearing only underwear. 

Sekonda and Virgin Media both made reference to the staggering financial odds that Leicester overcame in the season. 

The latest TV revenue deal is worth in excess of £5 Billion and prior to this season, there was a belief that the monopoly of the elite clubs would never be broken. The Leicester squad cost approx £50m whereas the two Manchester clubs Utd and City are around the £400m mark each.

Sekonda (the LCFC official timing partner) - also running in the Sun - took a cheeky dig at more expensive and possibly more illustrious brands with a neat strap line 'Beware of expensive imitations'.

Virgin, on the other hand, was quicker than a broadband hook-up in its reaction to the news and took - amongst other placements - a bright half-page in Metro, demonstrating that they feel they can offer Sky Sports and BT Sports (who share the Premiership rights) at a highly competitive cost.

Last, but certainly not least, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum (in both the Sun and promoted on Twitter) has made-over its ad to pay homage to Wes Morgan - the Leicester City captain. 

Simple, neat, topical, brilliant.

 

#PurePoint
#BackingTheBlues
#LCFCChampions