Brandjack News

News and commentary around the concept of brandjacking

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  • Will the Olympics change London’s property market?

    By Quentin Langley This blog is always interested in technological change and, especially, tipping points. In my first true PR job (1987-88) I saw one such. The firm was a pioneer, employing no secretaries and putting a computer on each executive's desk at a time when this was unusual. Press releases, however, were usually sent…

  • Shell falls victim to Arctic Ready brandjacking

    By Quentin Langley [Full disclosure: this author worked at Shell International in 1996 and 97] The Arctic Ready website is an especially well-designed spoof. The hotlinks promise connections to Shell.Com, but actually take the reader to other parts of the Arctic Ready site. But to take things a full circle, Arctic Ready has its own…

  • The branding implications of Andy Murray

    By Quentin Langley "It will happen again . . . and you can be sure we will be there when it does. Robinson's Barley Water. Sponsoring Wimbledon since 1935".  The date of 1935 is significant, as 1936 was the last time a Brit won the men's singles contest at Wimbledon. Robinson's implicit promise is to…

  • The peculiar “deserve to die” controversy

    By Quentin Langley So who, exactly, deserves to die? People with tattoos and people to who like cats were among those highlighted in a bizarre teaser campaign. For a viral campaign it was decidedly odd in that it was promoted by posters – remember those? – and not via social media. The campaign, nonetheless, referred…

  • Veet gets flashmobbed on Amazon

    By Quentin Langley This blogger's first experience with a flashmob was also the last time he got violent with someone. A group of people turned up at Waterloo – London's busiest commuter station – at the height of the rush hour to stand on the concourse wearing Walkmans (remember them?) and jumping up and down.…

  • I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you

    By Quentin Langley Acccording to SkyNews, shares in Barclays Bank have been up to 17% down during the course of today. Other banking shares have been hit. This is all because of a fine against Barclays for market-rigging and suggestions that other banks may have been involved. The Leader of the Opposition has called for…

  • Vatileaks scandal is the “work of Satan”

    By Quentin Langley This one isn't covered in the standard laws of crisis management. People will say "be the source of your own story" or "never say 'no comment'" but I have never heard it suggested that you should not blame your woes on Satan and his horde of little demons. Maybe this one should…

  • The lessons of the NeverSeconds blog

    By Quentin Langley I was just about to ask the Tweeple for an over/under on the grovelling apology from Argyll and Bute, when it came in. All in all, a fantastic case study for my teaching on how not to handle a crisis. So far, this is what they did wrong. 1. Failed to anticipate…

  • Argyll and Bute backs down – big surprise

    By Quentin Langley New statement from Argyll and Bute Council: Statement from Cllr Roddy McCuish, Leader of Argyll & Bute Council "There is no place for censorship in this Council and never will be whilst I am leader.   I  have advised senior officers that this Administration intends to clarify the Council's policy position in regard…

  • Argyll and Bute not answering the question

    By Quentin Langley I have had the statement from the council. Naturally, I can't give you a link, because they don't have a media landing page on their website. So, I have pasted the text below. As you will see, it is all about how wonderful their school lunches are. It doesn't address the issue…