Stunt Watch: Aldi’s gender reveal, Netflix’s Thursday Murder Club and Lush stands with Gaza

In the week that saw the return of soggy school runs and pumpkin spiced lattes, here are four stunts that have hit headlines for very different reasons. And it’s a week of two halves — from frivolous, yet well thought out fun, to bold brand activism.

Aldi’s gender reveal caterpillar

Some say the gender reveal trend has gotten out of control. It’s becoming increasingly chaotic and outrageous — pigeons have even been dyed in the process.

Aldi, however, brought it back down to earth with good old Cuthbert, which is arguably the most controversial caterpillar cake of all time. The new limited-edition version comes with pink or blue icing so you can have a reveal moment without the price tag. The launch ties neatly to Census data showing September is the UK’s busiest birth month. Simple, well timed, and delicious.

Netflix’s craft campaign

From crafty caterpillars to crafty takeovers, Netflix celebrated the release of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series with a raft of knitted activations across the UK.

The slogan “Don’t Get Too Cosy…” appeared on billboards, postbox toppers, and even on a jumper created by Tom Daley, complete with a knitted knife. Elsewhere, homicide met horticulture through a Royal Horticultural Society partnership, which involved a week-long series of immersive experiences for book fans to channel their inner sleuths. Well-crafted and bang on its target audience, the campaign perfectly captured the cosy crime genre while showing up in all the right places. I haven’t even read the book (yet) and I’m here for it.

ASICS’ Undropped Kit

I’m one of those people whose face turns tomato red after even the lightest exercise. It doesn’t bother me today but it certainly did at school, so ASICS’ latest campaign really hit home. Research shows 64% of girls in the UK drop out of sport before 16 — and uncomfortable P.E. kits, not red faces, are a major reason.

Enter the Undropped Kit, a new P.E. kit concept, designed to keep girls in sport and suit different body shapes, styles and weather conditions. Created in partnership with Inclusive Sportswear and Mind, and trialled at Burnley High School, it’s another standout campaign in ASICS’ long-term commitment to the belief that movement benefits both mind and body.

Lush’s protest

Lush hit headlines after closing all UK stores in a one-day protest on 3 September. Shoppers were met with locked doors and posters reading “Stop starving Gaza — we are closed in solidarity” in the colours of the Gaza flag, while the Oxford Street store was marked “temporarily closed” on Google Maps.

With a long-standing history of ethical activism and a brand known for taking bold, values-driven stands, the closure was a striking example of brand activism, and it certainly captured national attention.