Never ones to miss an opportunity, we thought we’d jump on the Jubilee
bandwagon (or maybe we should say barge!) ourselves and make it the theme of
our latest blog. We start with the Jubilee brand tie-ins we feel are rather inappropriate,
but end with some that we like:
- Pampers: “Celebrate this weekend with Pampers Union Jack nappies.” Hmmm… I’m not sure these nappies are going to get us in a celebratory mood!
- Similarly, Union Jack packs of Andrex toilet roll: “The Andrex premium range is a category which is consistently strong and it is fantastic that we can continue to build this growth and create these patriotic packs commemorating such an important British celebration.” [Quote from The Grocer Magazine] But surely Union Jack toilet paper means wiping your bottom with the national flag.
- SEBO Union Jack vacuum cleaner: “The Felix Royale is a stunning looking vacuum cleaner that you can leave out on display at all times! It boasts red, white and blue colours of the Union Jack and is the newest addition to the SEBO family.” Well... we can’t see the Queen dusting off her Marigolds to use this gem of a vacuum cleaner!
- Finish dishwashing tablets are in a Union Jack box: do dishwashing tablets really warrant a flag?
- But the award for the least likely Jubilee brand tie-in goes to wood protection brand, Cuprinol. Cuprinol has created a PR campaign around Peckingham Palace: a royal bird house for the Diamond Jubilee. However, they’ve used social media well and made the most of this quirky idea, and they’ve got us talking about it…. We also wonder if Kathryn Ledson, Cuprinol’s marketing manager managed to keep a straight face with the following remarks: “Creating Peckingham Palace is the perfect way to demonstrate our range of garden colour paints whilst celebrating the jubilee. We just hope it inspires others to show their patriotic side through their gardens this summer and add a Royal sprucing-up in-time for the Diamond Jubilee.”
But there are some we like:
- Kingsmill is renaming the brand to “Queensmill” for two weeks leading up to the Jubilee. Nice!
- Marmite has rebranded to Ma’amite – we don’t know whether the Queen is in the love or hate camp when it comes to the yeast extract spread, but Unilever has created a patriotic edition of Nae Bother’s breakfast spread of choice anyway. Known as Ma’amite the product has changed its classic yellow top and label and replaced it with a red top and a Union Jack logo with the strapline “Toasting the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee” below a picture of a crown.
- Heinz has introduced retro packaging designs for the Diamond Jubilee. The limited edition vintage labels are similar to the design from 1952, the year of the Queen’s Coronation, and feature on family favourites such as Heinz Baked Beans and Heinz Spaghetti. We’re not sure we want to think about food which is 60 years old but it’s interesting to see how little the design of the label has changed over the years.
- Though we wouldn’t buy one, we do love the edgy design of the SMEG Union Jack retro fridge.
- And our very own favourite involves the popular children’s TV character, Peppa Pig. A special episode called "Peppa meets the Queen" sees Peppa and the Queen donning wellington boots and jumping up and down in muddy puddles in the Buckingham Palace garden. We have seen a sneak preview of the episode and we are sure the Queen will love it. We have it on good authority that HRH watches the show when she visits her grandchildren!
And if all of this red, white and blue memorabilia is unsold during the
Jubilee, they can wheel it out again for the Olympics in a month’s time.
Perfect!
Enjoy the Jubilee-tastic long weekend of celebration! Congratulations, Your Majesty.
