Good PR

KFC and Pizza Hut

You know that age-old scenario. It’s Friday night, you’re planning an evening on the sofa to catch up on all your Netflix binges, and you fancy a takeaway.

But WHAT do you go for? Pizza or KFC? It’s like Sophie’s choice.

Well luckily for those of us with the tendency to over-analyse our takeaway options, the geniuses at Pizza Hut Delivery have teamed up with KFC so we never face the dilemma again! 

The pizza – only available in large – combines a classic crust, with Colonel Sanders’ special gravy sauce. It’s then topped with mozzarella cheese, sweetcorn and some iconic popcorn chicken smothered in those magical 11 herbs and spices.

For those of you as super eager to try the pizza as us here at Yeti HQ, it’ll be available to buy via the Pizza Hut website until Sunday 16 February (YASSSS Valentine’s Day dinner!)

Virgin Media

Who doesn’t love a childish advertising stunt? I sure do!

This week’s example by two industry giants, BT and Virgin Media, has proved rather amusing to those of us working in the media.

It all started with BT erecting billboards in Bristol that essentially blasted Virgin and highlighted that locals ‘shouldn’t settle for Virgin’. Understandably, this riled the marketing team up the wrong way, and they decided to retaliate by parking up a mobile billboard fighting back with this really subtle message:

"B******T. Our fastest average speed in Bristol is 516Mbps. That's loads faster than BT. Enough said.”

Since the drama took place earlier in the week, Virgin has formally challenged BT’s allegations, and it’s looking like it will be taking it to the Advertising Standards Agency – watch this space.

Starbucks

Coffee chain Starbucks has gone above and beyond in its most recent campaign, and I am absolutely loving it.

The company has teamed up with the kids’ transgender charity ‘Mermaids’ to launch a very special mermaid cookie, which aims to raise at least £100,000 that will help towards running the helpline and extending its webchat services online, which has seen a 600% increase in calls looking for help and advice during the past five years.

An accompanying advertising campaign called #whatsyourname from the brand showcases how powerful the act of being called the correct name on their coffee cup can be to a trans individual. The associated hashtag #whatsyourname encourages people to share their own stories with the brand.

Bad PR

IKEA

The Swedish powerhouse brand IKEA has this week announced that it’s set to close its first large store in the UK.

The closure of the Coventry store – which has been a fixture in the city since 2007 – has caused ripples of shock amongst the retail industry, with many now questioning if we’ve fallen out of love with the unique offerings of the home furnishings and flatpack specialists.

The decision to close the £35m store has been made following years of consistent losses and a lack of footfall, and one can’t help but wonder if this is just the first of many blue and yellow stores set to shut its doors as online shopping becomes more and more a part of consumers lives.

Diamond Mist

The vape company Diamond Mist has messed with the wrong Olympic athlete.

Runner Mo Farah is suing the brand after a series of adverts appeared on London buss last year featuring a lookalike of the sports star, but without his permission and with the tag line ‘Mo’s Mad For Menthol’.

The adverts were swiftly banned by the Advertising Standards Authority, with Farah now taking the company, its director and the associated advertising company to the high court after claiming it was illegally passing off his likeness and name to sell vape liquid.

It doesn’t look like this matter is to be resolved anytime soon, with a hearing scheduled in December that will determine exactly how much is owed to Mr Farah in damages and compensation.

Pretty sure other companies using this as an example will be thinking twice before using lookalikes in any of their advertising campaigns in the future!

Written by Lauren Wilden, head of PR at 10 Yetis. Seen any good or bad PR lately? You know what to do @10Yetis on Twitter or andy@10Yetis.co.uk on email