Dillon the Donkey: Leading the Contactless Revolution for Barclaycard
Back when contactless payments were still a mystery to most, Barclaycard needed a way to show small businesses they had nothing to fear. So, we put payment machines somewhere no one expected—on Blackpool’s iconic beach donkeys.
Cue Dillon, our very patient (and surprisingly tech-savvy) donkey, helped prove that even the most traditional businesses could embrace change.
The campaign took off, landing 120 pieces of media coverage, reaching 67% of our core audience 3.2 times in just one week, and hitting a total UK adult reach of 37.4 million. More importantly, it got people talking and made contactless payments feel normal, not novel. Oh, and it picked up a PR Week Award along the way.
Takeaway: The best campaigns don’t just talk about change—they show it in action. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of creativity (and a very cooperative donkey).
Sky Arts: Breaking Records to Celebrate a Decade of Portrait Artist of the Year
Sky Arts wanted to celebrate 10 years of Portrait Artist of the Year with something unforgettable. So, we went big—setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most people painting a portrait at the same time.
In London’s Lindley Hall, 250 artists of all abilities painted a live portrait of Sir Lenny Henry, while over 1,000 more joined in virtually via Facebook and TikTok.
The campaign made a splash, securing 170+ pieces of media coverage, with highlights in The Telegraph and Daily Star. But beyond the headlines, it was a moment of pure creative joy—bringing people together through art in a way that felt both personal and epic.
Takeaway: The most memorable campaigns don’t just tell a story—they invite people to be part of it.
Simple, Straightforward, and Impactful: Dacia Water Hot Bottles
When BMW introduced a monthly subscription for heated seats, we saw an opportunity to show how Dacia does things differently. Instead of charging extra, we gave away hot water bottles to BMW’s customers, making the point that heated seats are standard in Dacia cars—no hidden fees.
The campaign struck a chord, resulting in a 31% increase in web traffic, an 11% rise in social engagement, and a 47% increase in dealership visits. More importantly, it directly generated 12 sales, yielding a 20 times return on investment and helping drive significant revenue growth.
Takeaway: Don’t just talk about value—they show it. Sometimes, it’s the small, reactive, clever ideas that make the biggest impact.
Argos: Making Black Friday Less Stressful with MewTube
Black Friday is chaos for shoppers and brands alike, but we wanted to make Argos stand out as the stress-free way to shop. So, we did something unexpected—introducing Argos MewTube, a live kitten stream on the homepage to help shoppers unwind while browsing Black Friday deals.
The results? 750+ pieces of media coverage, a two million-visitor spike in site traffic, and a £30 higher spend among those who watched. Not bad for some adorable kittens.
With coverage in Metro and BBC News Online, MewTube became the heart of a multi-channel campaign that turned stress into smiles—and clicks into conversions.
Takeaway: Sometimes, the best way to sell isn’t to push products—it’s to create a moment people enjoy being part of.
Radox: Reframing Selfishness as Self-Care
Radox wanted to engage busy mothers by turning the idea of “selfishness” into a positive narrative about self-care. We launched "Vesuvius Syndrome," shedding light on the emotional toll of neglecting personal time. Psychologist Jenni Trent Hughes and novelist Kathy Lette, who penned a waterproof novella, led the conversation, with women encouraged to order the book via a dedicated website.
The result? With 90 pieces of media coverage, including features in The Sun and The Telegraph, the campaign reached 25,000 women. It also increased Radox’s market share from 12.8% to 14%, surpassing Imperial Leather as the category leader.
Takeaway: When a brand speaks to its audience’s real emotions, it doesn’t just drive awareness—it drives action. Reframing self-care as essential rather than indulgent, we sparked a cultural conversation that resonated deeply with busy mums. The result? It was a campaign that didn’t just make headlines—it made Radox the category leader.
Guide Dogs UK: Making Storytime Inclusive with The Gruffalo
For many children, storytime is pure magic, but much of that magic is lost for those with sight loss. To raise awareness of Guide Dogs UK’s Children and Young People’s Services, we reimagined The Gruffalo as a sensory experience.
We created scent kits that captured the unique fragrances of five key characters and shared them with celebrities, influencers, media, and Guide Dogs families—helping children experience the story in a whole new way.
The response was incredible: 166 media hits, including a six-minute feature on BBC Breakfast, 110 broadcast mentions, and online coverage from Sky News and BBC News. Celebrity supporters like Katie Price and Ferne McCann helped spread the word on social media, reaching over 230,600 people.
Takeaway: The best campaigns don’t just tell a story—they make people feel it. By turning The Gruffalo into a sensory experience, we made sure every child, regardless of sight, could share in its magic.
