Tag Archives: topical

The hairdryer of the EPL and the longest serving manager  (Sir Alex Ferguson) called it a day this week after 26 years at the helm of Manchester United. It’s an incredible reign and a number of brands jumped on the story.

Our favourite is the simplicity of the Nandos Uk Tweet (Thanks to @bluespen for the heads up). It’s well known that Man United always get at least 5 minutes of injury time at the end of any game at Old Trafford. This timely tweet poked fun whilst celebrating Sir Alex’s career.

Paddy Power in true satirical style suggested it was a great time to be a Liverpudlian with this outdoor execution

KitKat posted this on Facebook playing homage to Sir Alex’s legendary post match ‘debriefs’ with his players. The Sun also chose to use the hairdryer analogy for their front page.

And Mars rearranged their well known strapline

If you’ve seen any other flashes of Fergie Genius let us know.

Reserva in Brazil and Kents Meats in the U.S. have both been victims of theft (or attempted theft) and then used it to their advantage by repurposing the CCTV footage as ads.

Nutella have now followed suit with a print ad displaying the various headlines about the theft they’ve suffered and it’s a big theft. In Germany thieves stole 5 tons of the nutty spread. Daniel in our Singapore office spotted this one and we love the fact that they’ve turned it into a participation idea. They are inviting people to tell them what they would do with Nuetella via the hashtag #5tonsofNutella.

Read about the theft here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2305791/Five-tonnes-Nutella-stolen-German-thieves.html

Thanks to daniel for the spot

It’s a Saturday and I’m babysitting (also known as parenting) but the young boy’s asleep so I’m geeking out with Star Wars Day. We covered a load of these “invented events” that brands create in the book but now I’m kicking myself that we didn’t cover “Star Wars Day.” Maybe because it’s a day built on a giant pun (I hate puns) “May the 4th be with you.” Actually, I don’t mind that pun. And.. there are so many fun things happening today around the world and a host of memes popping up (the thumbnail I found has been retweeted thousands of times and the Yanks across the Pond are just waking up). Loads of brands are riding the wave of this day. Here’s a few from the official Star Wars site including Princess Leia’s CinnaBon headphones, Disney’s Limited Time Magic Day and Chewie getting a job at MTV. I’m getting in on the act when the little dude wakes up as we’re rushing to the store to get “a refreshing mix of lime sherbet, sugar, sparkling water, and more lime” to make Yoda Soda. Pictured above.

But the award for the most awesome bit of Urgent Genius goes to the Toledo Mud Hens, a minor league baseball team. They’ve created the following Chewbacca jerseys for tonight and tomorrow and are having loads of Star Wars themed food and a Star Wars exhibit to rival a major SW geek convention — and all the money goes to charity. I really want this jersey:

How are you going to celebrate Star Wars Day? I’m going to Vine and FrameBlast my Yoda Soda taster sessions for sure. Let us know. Pic and info on the Mud Hens and Yoda Soda via Wired

Manchester United players were out on the town in Manchester, UK on Monday night celebrating their English Premier League title. Defenders  Nemanja Vidic, Rio Feridnand and other United players were photographed jumping into a sky blue, City-sponsored taxi.

Etihad were quick off the mark and offered their congratulations with a topical ad placed in the Manchester Evening News. It’s a cheeky, brilliant example of Newsjacking and pure opportunism.

Via The Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2315156/Manchester-City-sponsors-Etihad-congratulate-Manchester-United-players-taxi.html#ixzz2RchRTMHe

There’s been just a little bit of a scandal in the UK over the presence of  100% horse DNA in some processed beef products. The UK press have been having a field day and the horse gags have being flying thick and fast. The iris Worldwide London office recently picked up the integrated UK Mini account and they’ve got busy with some quick fire Urgent Genius thinking for the British car brand. This ad and Facebook post has been doing the rounds. It’s a cheeky take on the crisis and totally relevant to the Mini John Cooper Works Roadster. It’s a small car with mighty horse power hidden under it’s bonnet.