A weekly roundup of talking points, sans effort

 

Thought for the week

“Listen chums, this thing isn’t working for either of us. Your eurozone is causing all sorts of misery, plus the on-costs, the non-wage costs, of the way the EU has been running and has legislated and regulated over the last 20-30 years are making the whole area completely uncompetitive. We need a renegotiation.” London Mayor Boris Johnson, explaining how Britain leaving the EU would not be ‘cataclysmic’ on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
 

Weekly high

After Alex Ferguson announced his retirement from the job of Manchester United manager several companies were quick off the mark with PR and marketing stunts. Unsurprisingly, Paddy Power went the furthest with scant regard for causing offence by putting this advertising hoarding up in Liverpool city centre. Still, there’s nothing like making a big impression.

Weekly low

Charles Ramsey, the American guy who rescued two imprisoned women and a child from his neighbour’s house in Cleveland, Ohio, should be commended for his efforts. As he explains in the interview below, before hearing cries for help he was eating McDonalds. Less admirable is the fast food chain’s ‘sensitive’ tweet (also below), seen by some as using the horrific event for marketing. Worse still, according to Time magazine, the hero of the hour actually has previous domestic violence convictions, proving brands need to look before they leap.

 

Things that might happen in the next week…

The F.A. Cup Final will be played at Wembley stadium tomorrow, with Wigan taking on the might of Manchester City, and as a result don’t expect seats on the Piccadilly Euston service until around midday. Many teenagers will begin their GCSE examinations on Monday, following news grades should be set higher as of autumn (hardly encouraging for those imminently sitting tests). UK Government departments will look to advertising partners and sponsors to help fund campaigns following a change to legislation.

Just in case you missed it…

Samsung has won Brand of the Year at The Drum marketing awards, whilst UM London- the firm behind Royal Mail’s Gold Medal Winner Stamps for last the 2012 Olympics, has bagged the Grand Prix. Read more on the story here.
 
If there is a success story, blunder, or news event you’d like to see included email helloATsmokinggun.co.uk or tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!