Cut The Bull

Happy Apple Day! (yes, that is a real awareness day happening right here, right now). And what better way to celebrate a fruit seemingly selected at random than with another week of THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR BULL'S EYE 🎯 *klaxons blare & confetti falls* NOT SO SNATCHED JOAN Creative has launched "The Unsnatchable"; a series of humorously designed "unsnatchable" phone cases in response to the rising rate of phone theft. The campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage Londoners to be more vigilant about their mobile devices. CREATIVE INSPO: We love this campaign because it uses humour and creativity to address a serious issue, turning the concept of phone theft prevention into a playful yet thought-provoking social commentary. It creates a new way of discussing & raising the issue of phone theft. BOUGIE BAKES Greggs has launched its reservation-only Champagne bar, where its famous bakes will be served up with a £75-a-glass champagne in bespoke sausage roll-etched coupes. The bar opens next week in Newcastle’s Fenwick store, with only 16 seats available at a time. CREATIVE INSPO:  This is a pop-up we didn’t see coming. Greggs stepping into the world of luxury by teaming up with the famous Fenwick’s sparks a conversation in itself. Making this an exclusive experience with a limited number of seats only builds consumers desire to visit the pop-up for themselves. NOT ENOUGH CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK? Men’s deodorant Old Spice has teamed up with UK rapper Chip to launch a 2-minute diss track aimed at those who use generic deodorant. Certainly one way to make your mark in the UK market. LEARNING: We’ll be honest, we see the vision but don’t fully get it. Yes, Old Spice is known for its humour, but this feels a little shoehorned. Chip should have gone to parody levels a la Lonely Island to really bring this to life. Learning? When you do something, go hard or go home. H/T: Rebecca Rowntree / shishir patel / Kirsty Hathaway / Ash Prentice / Hannah Squirrell / Fiona Mills / Ian White / Hope&Glory PR

Another week where we complain about the weather as pre-amble to our weekly creative roundup? Groundbreaking. We'll leave it to our weekly 'things that caught our (bull's) eye' 🎯 💇♂️ FIRST EMOJI’S WITH BLACK & MIXED-RACE HAIR UK nonprofit RISE 365 has released initial emoji designs with afro-textured and coarse hair to advocate for inclusivity. This initiative highlights the underrepresentation of black experiences and challenges negative perceptions of black hair textures. LEARNING: This is a brilliantly simple yet effective way of starting a conversation. These designs effectively spark discussions about inclusion and beauty standards, addressing how hair-based discrimination impacts people daily. 🍻 CORONA’S ‘EVERY SLICE OF THE SUN’  America saw a breathtaking solar eclipse and Corona found a way to bottle the moment. In a clever visual twist, the beer brand captured the partially eclipsed sun as a slice of lime resting atop its iconic bottle CREATIVE INSPO: Corona certainly stole the limelight with this striking visual. This clever twist on the beer brand’s traditional lime-in-the-bottle approach helps reinforce the brand's identity and strengthens its connection with consumers. By capitalising on this celestial event, Corona effectively resonates with its audience via a fun and memorable campaign! 💄 BENEFIT’S BENEMART COLLECTION  Benefit Cosmetics is serving up a feast with its Benemart collection. The grocery-themed line-up is ready to stock up your pantry essentials this Christmas, from mascara to blush - all packaged up like supermarket goods. CREATIVE INSPO: Making normal products into a collection of limited-edition offerings builds buzz around an already popular brand, particularly around the festive season. Stepping outside of the normal Christmas-themed products opens this up to a larger community and therefore only adds to the excitement around the new launch. H/T: AB InBev / DAVID Miami / Pancho Cassis / Daniel Lobatón Morey / Edgard Gianesi / João Corazza / Bruno Reis / Seiji Wakabayashi / Thomas Nitti / Alexis Santaella / Brenda M. / Natasha Louckevitch / Amarachi Chinnah / Ella Pearn / Lucinda Jupp / Jenny Harrington / Chloë Jemison / Alima Khanam /

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have seen that we're officially launching Dave's Hot Chicken here in the UK! We'll be working with the brilliant Keyana Mohammadi and Jim Attwood to bring that LA vibe to London thanks to some of the hottest Tennessee chicken you'll ever try. Keep those eyes peeled over the next few months – we'll be sure to bring the heat to winter 2024. https://lnkd.in/e4y8Fn8y

It's October, so a very happy spOoOky season to all that celebrate! Yet another week of brilliant creative campaigns from across the globe, so get stuck into this week's 🎯 THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR (BULL’S) EYE 🎯 🎤 MAYBE HE’S NOT SUCH A JAMES BLUNT James Blunt is putting everything on the line for the re-release of his debut album. Taking to Twitter (aka X) earlier this week, Blunt has made a bet with fans; if his album goes to number 1, he’ll legally change his name to whatever the public requests CREATIVE INSPO: Great example of a person or brand leaning into the humour around themself to build hype and shareability. This goes to show that sometimes leaning into criticism can turn the negative into a huge positive. 👻 M&M’S HALLOWEEN RESCUE SQUAD  The US M&M team is bringing back its Halloween Rescue Squad to ensure American’s don’t run out of sweets with its M&M Rescue BOOths. This comes following research that revealed 78% of American’s said they were most anxious about running out of sweets . CREATIVE INSPO: Jumping on a huge cultural moment like Halloween, particularly in America where the holiday is largely celebrated, is a great way for brands to create buzz around a product. Providing a solution to a common problem also helps to build brand loyalty and keeps the brand at the forefront. 🍔 BURGER KING FOR NEW MUMS  BURGER KING UK is highlighting new mums in its latest campaign, following research by Mumsnet which found that for many mothers, the food you have straight after birth is one of the most amazing and unforgettable feelings ever. Over a third of respondents said their first post-birth meal felt like the ultimate version of that meal. LEARNING: This advert, part of Burger King’s ‘Foodfills’ campaign, has definitely got people talking. Its imagery blends research with relatable storytelling, showing how Burger King can fit into important life moments which ultimately seeks to drive emotional connection and brand loyalty. There’s a strong chance it can also evoke some cravings for those expecting too… 👗 DIWALI BARBIE   Mattel, Inc. has teamed up with Indian fashion designer House of Anita Dongre Limited to create a limited-edition Barbie celebrating Diwali. Dongre is known for her standout designs that preserve India’s rich textile traditions. LEARNING: Another great example from Mattel on creating inclusivity. Working with someone who understands Indian culture and works to actively preserve part of its history, is the perfect case study in creating something that feels naturally inclusive and not shoehorned in. H/T: Custard Records / Atlantic Records / Mars / BBH London / Justine Roberts CBE / Katie Evans / Felipe Serradourada Guimaraes / Suzi Hoy / Matthew Moran / Charlie Pendarves / Chloe Stephenson / Joe Williams / Alex Goddard / Caroline Barton

October is upon and it's really not giving Christian Girl Autumn... well not just yet. While you wait to sip on a PSL surrounded by orange leaves whilst wrapped up in an oversized poncho, get into this week's things that caught our bull's eye 🎯 👾 TAMAGOTCHI LANDS IN LONDON Everyone’s favourite virtual pet is BACK. Tamagotchi is opening its first-ever physical store in London. Expect to hear incessant beeping in meetings for the foreseeable. CREATIVE INSPO: Nostalgia; need we say more? People crave ‘simpler’ times simply because they can control their perception of it. Lean into anything that was a cultural institution of yesteryear and you can almost guarantee you’re on to a winner. ⚽ FLICK IT LIKE BECKHAM After being announced as the official sponsor of the SUBBUTEO World Cup 2024, Mitre has teamed up with Hasbro for a limited-edition drop around the iconic tabletop football game LEARNING: Two iconic 90s brands have come together for a limited-edition release nicely timed to promote the SUBBUTEO World Cup. A fusion of football history and childhood memories that’s sure to evoke nostalgia for many football fans, it’s a great way to put both brands back on radars. 🏓 EMOJI PONG Instagram has introduced 38 new stickers for Stories and Reels, including classics like hearts and days of the week, and has updated its "Emoji Pong" game, allowing users to challenge friends through DMs. LEARNING: These features offer a unique way to connect with friends and family as we approach the holiday season. While primarily targeting students returning to school, these novel interactive elements could enhance Instagram's appeal across various user groups, providing fresh ways to engage and stay in touch despite physical distances. H/T: Bandai UK Ltd / Julia K / Lucy Starte

It's the last full week of September, can you believe? To celebrate, here's a few things that caught our bull's eye 🎯 💙 BLUE PLAQUES WITH A DIFFERENCE  Killed Women (KW), a campaign network for bereaved families whose relatives have been killed by men, has temporarily installed black and blue plaques on UK homes to commemorate women murdered inside, highlighting the disparity in minimum sentencing for domestic homicides compared to public murders. LEARNING: This campaign powerfully visualises the often-hidden reality of domestic violence by bringing stark reminders of these tragedies into public spaces and forcing society to confront the issue. Taking well-known iconography and gearing it towards a worthy cause is sure to raise awareness. 👽 MONSTER MUNCH MAYO  Heinz has partnered up with Walkers Crisps UK to create Monster Munch flavoured mayonnaise for Halloween, following research that revealed 60% of shoppers under 28 said food is a crucial element of hosting a spooky evening. The limited-edition bottles are available to purchase online as well as being rolled out across supermarkets. CREATIVE INSPO: Creating a limited-edition whacky food combo always goes down a (trick-or) treat and is sure to cause a stir on social media. Linking this to a cultural moment only makes it all the more relevant and sought after as it highlights the limited-edition aspect of the collab. 👚 HELLMANN’S HITS THE RUNWAY  During London Fashion Week, fashion brand Chopova Lowena collaborated with Ogilvy UK to create the Margaret bag for Hellmann's mayonnaise, a stylish handbag designed to hold a jar of mayo. The limited-edition bag was featured in Chopova Lowena's spring/summer 2025 collection and garnered significant attention, including being listed as one of "the most viral moments of LFW" by British Vogue. LEARNING:  We live for a viral moment though we wonder how many mayo-obsessed fashion lovers truly exist in the world? Sometimes being random works, sometimes it doesn't. Thankfully this one cut the mustard (badum tish) H/T: Earnies / João Ricardo Di Creddo Brum / Daniel Fisher /

Is it summer, is it autumn? Who knows. What we *do* know is that there is never an end to the brilliant creativity from across the ad & marketing world. So, without further ado, enjoy this week's things that caught our bull's eye round-up 🎯 🍔 CROCS HAPPY MEAL? McDonald's latest Happy Meal is an unexpected collab with Crocs, Inc. - and this time it's not a new pair of the beloved clog. For a limited time, the Happy Meal toy will be swapped out for a selection of exclusive Crocs x McDonald’s keychains. CREATIVE INSPO: Launching limited-edition products, particularly when a collab with another well-sought-after brand, always hits the spot with consumers - sparking conversation across social media. 🥪 RATE MY MEAL DEAL Tesco has launched its new campaign, spotlighting its beloved Meal Deal to celebrate a major upgrade, with improved ingredients and the introduction of many brand new products. CREATIVE INSPO: The meal deal is a beloved staple of British culture. Cleverly promoting its refreshed selection, Tesco has capitalised on the popularity of ‘Rate My Meal Deal’ debate and showcasing the diverse range of people that love a combo - from builders to students and workers - even their employees. What’s your meal deal choice? 🎈 MISSED BIRTHDAYS Charity Campaign Against Living Miserably used this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day to highlight the young lives lost to suicide each year through a mix of paid and earned media. At the centre of its campaign was a live activation, with the charity creating an installation comprised of 6929 birthday balloons in Westfield, representing those who lose their lives every year. LEARNING: Not only did this campaign use a striking visual to get its point across, the clever mix of earned and paid ad space meant that titles such as Evening Standard and Metro were filled with messaging focused on the campaign. A brilliant example of how different media channels can blend perfectly to capture attention and raise awareness. 👗 REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FASHION COLLECTION  Tinder, AREA, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America collaborated to launch a limited-edition "Bans Off Our Bodies" reproductive rights collection during New York Fashion Week SS25. The initiative aims to raise awareness about abortion access barriers and includes a special edition T-shirt, with Tinder donating $25,000 USD to Planned Parenthood. LEARNING: This collab represents a powerful intersection of technology, culture, and activism, leveraging New York Fashion Week's platform and AREA's design prowess. This campaign is all about encouraging public discourse and mobilising support for abortion access in the US. H/T: Yann Le Bozec / Susan Blair / Antonela Grippo / Heidi Cooley / Dan Porter / Ollie Hastings / Ben Kearney / Violaine Barthe / Alex Grieve / Helen Rhodes / Felipe Serradourada Guimaraes / Tom Reynolds / BBH London / adam&eveDDB / Simon Gunning / Mike Sutherland

Darling, sweetie darling, fashion month is officially upon us. And while the sun may not be returning to the UK until 2025 (ugh), some of the nation's best designers will be rolling out their Spring/Summer trends for next year. But until then, enjoy this week's 🎯 THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR (BULL’S) EYE 🎯 🍗 KFC’S REAL CHICKEN X-RAYS To combat the stigma surrounding fried chicken in the fast food industry being processed and fake, the Spanish KFC team decided to take a literal x-ray of its products and display them on billboards across Madrid. LEARNING: Although this looks and sounds like a great idea, the execution has a huge design flaw as x-rays don’t show the flesh and therefore the quality of the meat itself. This also doesn’t work for any boneless chicken and with KFC also being well known for their boneless meals, this seems to be a bit of an issue in terms of messaging. ⛓ CATCH ME OR I GO HOUDINI This week Gymbox launched new class ‘Houdini', celebrating the famous escapologist's 150th anniversary. Led by UK escape artist Rob Roy Collins, participants train like the original fitness freak before learning to escape handcuffs while suspended upside down. LEARNING: Ok fine this one is one of *our* Cut The Bull campaigns, but it’s too good to miss out. Taking a left-field approach and going hell for leather with it really does work for media. This particular campaign has piqued interest thanks to its unique approach to fitness and bringing to life a historic figure many will recognise. 🍺 KAMMY’S UN-BEER-LIEVABLE LARGER Sports pundit Chris Kamara has launched "Kammy's Un-beer-lievable Lager" in partnership with Brew York and Morrisons to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK. The limited-edition lager, available in select Morrisons stores for £5.50, will contribute 30p per purchase to the charity. CREATIVE INSPO: Leveraging a celebrity's status to support crucial research in an accessible way? We love to see it. This clever fusion of sports fandom, consumer products, and health awareness demonstrates how creative part H/T: Rory McEntee Hannah Curtis Nunn Chlöe Warner Zoe Ann Turner Chanel Yates Ned Boyd Noel Parsons Grace Redwood Ignacio Buddenhagen Duarte Alex Hamilton Fabian Castellani Rachel Eyre Jennifer England Pete English Lewis Dareheath Rachel Bruce Laura Williams Ellie Brooke Chantal Payne

Well it’s not everyday you get to handcuff Amanda Holden… Amanda couldn’t make it into our latest creative last for Gymbox ‘Houdini’, so we brought ‘Houdini’ to her in the form of world record breaking escapologist Rob Roy Collins. 3 brand mentions and full discussion of Gymbox’s new class to 4.5M Brits this morning during a key time for new member sign ups. Now that’s how you Cut The Bull.

Pinch, punch, it's the (second) of the month. Well done on officially making it into Q3 of 2024! To celebrate, here's a round up of what's caught the team's eye: 🍕HOME IS WHERE THE HUT IS The US Pizza Hut team has created a pizza box that transforms into a table for moving days as research revealed 79% resort to floor dining in the chaos of moving house. Pizza Hut’s take on flat pack furniture creates a sturdy base to hold your pizza box giving an instant dining surface. CREATIVE INSPO: Giving a common problem shared by the nation a solution is a great way to create buzz and build brand awareness. Launching the Pizza Hut moving boxes in the peak moving season in the US makes this a relevant topic that is sure to get customers talking. 🥐 LIDL’S CROISSANT HANDBAG Lidl GB has teamed up with New York-based fashion designer NiK Bentel Studio to create a limited-edition croissant handbag available for £50. All proceeds will be donated to the children's charity, NSPCC. CREATIVE INSPO: If you haven’t seen this one somewhere online in the last week, have you been living under a rock? Lidl tapping into the food x fashion trend has created a storm across the news and social media platforms by creating a new limited-editon product that everyone wants to get their hands on. 🍕BUY-NOW-PAY-LATER…PIZZAS? Domino's Australia has introduced Afterpay as a new payment option, allowing customers to use a buy now, pay later plan for their pizza purchases. This move aims to provide more flexibility, especially for unplanned or emergency meals. LEARNING: Although this sounds like something straight out of a Black Mirror episode, other brands can learn from Domino's approach by recognising and marketing their products as potential solutions for unexpected situations or emergencies, emphasising convenience and empathy in their messaging. 🍻FOUR-LEGGED ICE-BREAKER Beavertown Brewery has launched playful pub stools across UK pubs to encourage Brits to chat with strangers, responding to research showing 54% want to expand their social circles but 35% don't know how. The brewery has placed striking blue, skull-clad stools in nine UK pubs, inviting patrons to ask "Is this seat taken?" as an easy conversation starter. CREATIVE INSPO: The four-legged ice-breaker demonstrates how brands can address real social issues by creating tangible, interactive solutions. The specially designed pub stools provide a physical catalyst for human connection, showing how products can be creatively repurposed to tackle broader societal challenges in a fun way. H/T: Carl Loredo / Jo Gomer / Zoë Armstrong / Kate Erskine / Ryan McDonnell / Tom Rainsford / Natasha Graydon / Will Gunton / Kirsty Rogen / Here Be Dragons