Morning Update: Cops pull over drivers in Wall’s Ice Cream stunt; WPP’s Martin Sorrell on Publicom collapse
This is our Morning Update, rounding up international media and marketing news from while you were sleeping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M_nvQht7-c
AdWeek: Fun Prank or Abuse of Power? Cops Pull Over Drivers to Give Them Ice Cream
“Their intentions were good, but this ad about real police stopping motorists to give them free ice cream has left some critics saying the feel-good attempt is little more than a corporate-sponsored abuse of power.
Opinions are clearly mixed on the commercial for Unilever-owned Wall’s Ice Cream, known in America under brand names like Eskimo and Good Humor. With 500,000 views and 1,266 thumbs-up votes (compared to just 96 thumbs down) on YouTube, the spot seems to be a winner. But the video’s comments are awash in negative feedback.”
AdAge: WPP’s Martin Sorrell on the Publicom Collapse
“The collapse of the planned merger between Publicis Groupe and Omnicom Group, two of adland’s biggest players, means rival WPP Group gets to keep its top spot in the industry by revenue, at $17.25 billion. Ad Age talked to WPP CEO Martin Sorrell soon after the collapse of the deal became public. He weighed in on what might have gone wrong and what their breakup means for the industry.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA9tXYxD8g
Mumbrella Asia: Coke gives South Asian labourers in Dubai a phone call home in exchange for bottle tops
“A few days after Coca-Cola delivered free cans of the fizzy drink to guest workers in Singapore via camera drones as part of its ‘Open happiness’ campaign, news has emerged of a similarly themed stunt by the company for South Asian guest workers in the Middle East.
Coke erected a phone box that takes plastic bottle tops as phone credit in the United Arab Emirates, an area known for the poor treatment of guest workers. The idea is that migrant labourers can use the bottle tops to make a three-minute phone call to their families back home.”
The Guardian: Jeremy Clarkson: Hall overrules BBC executive to save Top Gear presenter
“BBC director general Tony Hall saved Jeremy Clarkson from disciplinary action over his use of the N-word, overruling one of his top executives who wanted more than just a final warning for the Top Gear host.
Last week Clarkson revealed in his column in The Sun that he had been “told by the BBC that if I make one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time, I will be sacked” after footage of him mumbling the N-word during the rhyme ‘Eeny, meeny, miny moe’ in an outtake was leaked.”
Campaign: Vodafone Ireland “race day/heartbreak” by Grey London
“Vodafone Ireland has released two TV spots, by Grey London, pushing its 4G coverage and HD voice calls. In the first ad, two sons use video-calling to contact their father, who could not make it to a horse race due to his old age. In the other, a girl misses a gig to chat to her heartbroken friend. The work was created by Lex Down and Jamie Starbuck, and directed by Pete Riski through Rattling Stick.”
The Guardian: Netflix announces immediate fee increase for new UK subscribers
“Netflix is increasing its monthly fee for streaming movies and television shows from £5.99 to £6.99, hoping that the “House of Cards effect” will keep subscribers from deserting to the rival Amazon/Lovefilm service.
The price increase will take effect immediately for new subscribers but will be delayed for two years for existing members”
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
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