Every weekday, PR Daily associate editor Alan Pearcy highlights the day’s most compelling stories and amusing marginalia on the Web in this, #TheDailySpin.
“Could you help me with my suitcase,” the man asked the bellhop.
“Sure,” the bellhop replied. “Try using the handles.”
If this scenario played out in any normal hotel, a guest would clamor for better service. Not at the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel in Amsterdam, where after 40 years of disappointing travelers, the establishment—which proudly touts itself as the world’s worst—is using its latest campaign to apologize.
Worldcrunch reports that the pitch is part of a successful 16-year history of controversial, negative advertising. Due in part to a “legal note” on its website cautioning visitors to book “at their own risk,” marketing manager Dave Bell says many are “surprised that we actually have mattresses.” Some guests even bring sleeping bags.
Meanwhile, travel carrier Air New Zealand teamed with Peter Jackson on a new “Hobbit”-themed in-flight safety video, “An Unexpected Briefing,” in which the notable film director makes a brief cameo:
Related: Most airlines invest 90 hours per month on social media
And in more travel news, U.K.-based travel site National Express was
forced to pull a digital ad featuring a can-can dancer with a red box positioned over her crotch that read, “See what you’re missing in Europe.” After receiving 13 complaints, Great Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority banned the ad, as well as other outdoor components of the campaign for being offensive and degrading to women.
For you “modern men,” Swedish pharmacy Apoteket is celebrating the “
21st century digital boy” with a humorous
new ad plugging its online prescription service.
Speaking of being a “digital boy,” who would have ever guessed Mitt Romney was so well attuned to modern technologies.
According to The Wall, the Republican presidential candidate and his camp have excelled at social media, particularly on Facebook where they’ve used the “
Commit to Mitt” app to help target users they need to better engage with before voting begins.
In the wake of Sandy, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie votes to
reschedule Halloween for after the weather conditions improve for kids to be out trick-or-treating.
Kids are naturally at the center of a new campaign for Toys "Я" Us that
features a faux Channel TRU newsroom staffed with young grade-school reporters.
Companies staffed with a social media team might soon do away with those titles—that is, if they follow Swedish-based shop Honey. According to
Advertising Age, the agency announced that it was
getting rid of all digital roles, and instead, making it the responsibility of all employees.
Replacing James Bond’s definitive martini with a Heineken is one thing. Leaking spoilers of the latest film in the 007 franchise is quite another.
According to Business Insider, the current
entry on Wikipedia for “Skyfall”—which debuted overseas last weekend—contains a full plot synopsis including twists, the fates of major characters, and more.
Related: Epic poster placement rewrites the history books
As for the “Star Wars” series, Disney—which bought LucasFilm for $4 billion—is planning to release future installments in the epic movie franchise. After news of the reboot spread, the force came over Twitter, which was abuzz with funny mashups under the hashtag
#DisneyStarWars.
Mashable collected some of the best for you
here. A couple of my personal favorites:
Quarterback Peyton Manning is also buying into the franchise business. As
part of a new partnership, the Denver Bronco now has ownership in 21 Papa John’s locations.
Is there something you think we should include in our next edition of #TheDailySpin? Tweet me @iquotesometimes with your suggestions. Thanks in advance.