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The Headliner

Every week, media experts from Eulogy, an independent and award-winning communications agency, dissect the biggest stories to help brands understand and influence the agenda.
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Now displaying: Page 7
Aug 4, 2017

‘A great day in the White House’ proclaimed Trump on Twitter. Not such a great day for Anthony Scaramucci, AKA the Mooch, who was fired after just 10 days in his role as communications director. The front stabbing, Long Island financier had a turbulent tenure: swearing and ranting at journalists while making accusations about the FBI. Did he get what he deserved? What’s next in the drama that is the White House?

20 years after her death Channel 4 will air the infamous “Diana tapes” –a collection of tapes recorded by the Princess’ speech coach shortly after the end of her marriage. Is it too soon? Would she have wanted her voice heard? Are they important piece of historical evidence? Tune in on Sunday to find out.

We are constantly told the breast is best, yet the UK has one of the lowest rates for breastfeeding in the world. Experts say that to overcome the stigma around breastfeeding we must teach children that it is natural. Can we shift social attitudes and start a breastfeeding boom?

Misogynistic, anti- Semitic and published in one of the most respected papers in the UK. Kevin Myers’ article in the Irish Sunday Times  “Sorry ladies, equal pay has to be earned” was resoundingly denounced and Kevin was swiftly fired. But how did his article make it into print and online?

No stranger to a twitter spat, JK Rowling was in hot water this week. After falsely claiming that President Trump had ignored a disabled boy who was visiting the White House, Rowling was forced to backtrack and apologise to the boy’s family. But no such apology has yet been sent to Trump. Should she have said sorry to Donald?

We’ve all been making mashed potato wrong according to Food Network chef Tyler Florence. For the ultimate mash, you need to cook your spuds in milk, butter and cream. It sounds scrumptious. In the words  of a famous TV badger: “everyone loves mashed potatoes”!

Jul 28, 2017

Britain smashed it at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, coming third in the medals table behind the USA and China. Around 280,000 tickets were sold, the biggest outside a Paralympic Games and more than every previous world championships combined. But did the spectacle get the media coverage a sporting event of its magnitude deserves?

The final episode of Love Island helped ITV2 reach its biggest ever audience, as 2.43 million viewers watched Kem and Amber announced as the winning couple. Brands are understandably keen to get in on the action. But will attempts to cash in on the shows popularity leave fans feeling mugged off? Or will the right brand's couple up?

Last week the BBC published a list of its highest paid stars. About two-thirds of stars earning more than £150,000 are male, compared to one-third female, according to the report. The seven top earners were all men. Is this proof of sexism at the Beeb? Do the top earning men deserve their salaries? Should men still be considered as the higher earning “breadwinners”, or is that simply a load of old tosh?

Petrol and diesel car sales to are to banned by 2040 in a bid to reduce air pollution and save lives. But with the details still hazy, it is unclear if this is a triumph for clean air campaigners or an attack on drivers. Will there be a scrappage scheme? Or will motorists simply be told to get on their bike?

“Shrinkflation” has hit over 2,500 consumer products in the last five years. Chocolate bars, toilet rolls, coffee and fruit juice have all gotten smaller in size but no cheaper in price. Is this a calculated move to increase profits or a response to increasing production costs? If a sugary treat costs more, will consumers reach deeper into their wallets to buy it?

There was outcry earlier in the year with the announcement that The Great British Bake Off had been sold to Channel 4 for £75 million. This week the show’s two new main sponsors were announced – Lyle’s Golden Syrup and Dr Oetker. But are these the ingredients for an advertising success story, or the commercial equivalent of a soggy bottom?

Jul 21, 2017

Writing in the FT, Lucy Kellaway has finally waved the white flag in her battle against corporate claptrap. After 25 years of trying she concedes the tide of BS will not be turned. Does it matter? Should we continue to campaign for clear, direct communication? And what the hell does ‘coffee forward’ mean anyway?

Lock up the pantry, defend the fridge and barricade the butter dish; there’s a dairy shortage. Butter prices have soared more than 20% as farmers struggle to cope with demand in the UK. How long before frantic shoppers are asking retailers if they’ve “got milk”? 

When Kirsty Allsopp tweeted that keeping a washing machine in the kitchen was “disgusting”, she couldn’t have predicted it would get us all in a spin. Is it a question of hygiene, or a matter of class? Where should one wash one’s unmentionables? Is trawling twitter for celebrity tweets lazy journalism? 

The Advertising Standards Authority is cracking down on stereotypically gendered advertising. Apparently, men are perfectly capable of loading the dishwasher and little girls can grow up to be things other than ballerinas. Who knew?

China has banned the bear, well one small honey-loving bear. Winnie the Pooh has been blocked on Chinese social networks after bloggers had been drawing attention to similarities between Winnie and China’s president, Xi Jinping. Which animated characters do our leading politicians most resemble?

The 13th Doctor will be a woman. While many fans of the “Whoniverse” were over the moon, others considered it unthinkable that a time travelling alien, who regularly changes body, would regenerate into a female. Social media has seen a storm of funny retorts, but is this casting a victory for feminism or a betrayal of the Doctor Who canon? Most importantly of all, will the new Doctor be equipped with a sonic screwdriver?

Jul 13, 2017

 

Consumer spending in the UK has fallen to its lowest levels for four years according to a report by Visa. Experts have been quick to theorise on this worrying trend. But, with inflation outstripping wage growth and Brexit uncertainty abound, can it be any wonder consumers aren’t flashing their cash?

 The BBC has announced a whopping investment of £34 million into children’s programming. The money is targeted at its online offering with new forms of content and interactivity. Do we need more children’s programming? Or should we be encouraging them to turn off the telly and get outside?

Summer box office takings are around 8 per cent lower than last year. So is this the end of the traditional summer glut of films? And what of the latest Spiderman film? Will it bring home the bacon or is it just a flash in the pan? 

Drinking coffee ‘could make you live longer,’ say researchers in Europe and the US who found that coffee drinkers had a reduced risk of death. But before you bin the tea bags and reach for a triple espresso, experts say it is still unclear if the health boost is caused by coffee or other factors.   

Are Wimbledon organisers serving up gender bias? Yes, according to tennis fan Mark Leyland, who declared that the All England Club employed a 4:2 formula—two men’s matches and one women’s match on each of the two show courts at Wimbledon. Is tennis still a man’s game? Or is it just a case of some unfortunate scheduling?

Jul 7, 2017

Pass the strawberries and cream, it’s Wimbledon season. The world’s tennis elite have gathered in South London to compete and brands are eager to get in on the action, with tennis themed specials and guerilla marketing. But are bikini clad ladies a savvy stunt or a way of getting attention that is well past its best before date? Also, what villain tugged the towel away from the child tennis fan?

It's a tough time to be a reporter this week. Brexiteers accused the BBC of a pro remain bias this week and Trump has been accused of inciting violence against the media. If unconscious bias affects us all, how can journalists ever be truly impartial?

 North Korea fired an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, which went faster and further than ever before and upped international tensions, with speculation from Western experts that North Korean missiles could now reach Alaska. North Korea claimed it could reach anywhere in the world. These are challenging times; how will the world react to Kim Jong-un’s extended reach?

 The Foundation for Responsible Robotics has said sex robots could soon be used to help the elderly and the lonely. But pleasure bots raise some tricky questions. Is this the beginning of the end of human relationships? Do we need legislation to protect us from what could quickly become a very unhealthy relationship with machines? 

It’s Pride and London is awash with colour in preparation for this year’s LGBT parade. Brands are proudly showing their rainbow colours, but do you really want to eat a pink glittery burger?

 Are Hairy Leggings fashion forward? Or a fashion faux pax? One London-based retailer is convinced they are the next must have wardrobe item. They will certainly make you stand out, but could the same look be achieved by simply forgoing the razor?

Jun 30, 2017

After weeks of talks, Theresa May’s Conservatives and the Democratic Republic Party have reached a deal. But it comes with a hefty price tag ̶  £1bn pounds. Is it a bung? A bribe? Or a bonanza? More importantly, is this the final bill, or will the DUP’s support be something that keeps on costing?

Snapchat has a new map feature, which according to its marketing spiel is a ‘whole new way to explore the world!’. But child safety groups are worried about the risk of stalking and bullying if young users make their location public. Is Snapmap a super fun social media innovation, or a potentially scary stalker tracking tool?

What floats, is the size of three football pitches, has a dentist, a police office and a bakery? The new HMS Queen Elisabeth warship. Is the UK’s new sea base the pride of the Navy? Or is it a £6 billion blunder that should be scuttled?

It’s been 50 years since the installation of the first modern day cash machines in the UK ̶ we now withdraw billions from them each year. But are we moving towards a cashless future, or will lovely lucre be dolled out of machines for years to come? 

A BBC Watchdog investigation has found traces of poo in iced coffee in branches of Starbucks, Costa and Caffé Nero. Stories like this are sure to turn your stomach and leave a bad taste in your mouth. But will the aversion linger? Has this unappetising finding put a dent in the reputation of the high street coffee giants? 

First of his name, Darren Jones MP made a memorable speech to Parliament. Just how important is a name? Were Darren not called Darren, would his rousing speech still sound as sweet?

Jun 23, 2017

The UK experienced a heatwave this week, with the hottest day in June for 40 years. Royal Ascot considered relaxing its dress code, the TUC urged employers to let staff ditch suits during the hot weather and trains were delayed by the wrong kind of sun on the tracks. Rain or shine, we Brits love to gripe about the weather. 

What's that coming over the hill, is it a monster? No, it’s the ground shaking under the march of retailer goliath Amazon. UK supermarkets were left quaking in their boots when it was announced that Amazon had bought Whole Foods. Are bricks and mortar supermarkets scuppered? Will Amazon achieve total grocery domination?

Where we’re going we don’t need labels. M&S announced plans to laser the barcode and sell by dates into the skin of avocados. A headline grabbing PR stunt? Or is this the innovative alternative to labelling of the future? More importantly, what other fresh produce will the laser work on?  Can you laser the best before date on to a kumquat?

Forget help buying your railcard and a cake on your birthday, Glassdoor has revealed the most quirky and outlandish perks employers are offering their staff. From puppy leave to secret holidays, companies are going all out to prove they value their staff. But does having an office sauna really attract talent? 

Parents in New Zealand were in the dog house after a ‘Scooby Snacks’ mix up. Confusion was caused by the cartoon character on the packaging which made it look like a tasty treat for children, but inside was dog food. This is not the first time packaging has caused confusion. Were the parents to blame? Or did the supermarket put the snacks in the wrong isle? How tasty are dog treats?

Jun 15, 2017

From its announcement to its result, the 2017 General Election took us by surprise. After copious columns predicting certain victory for May, the media is now forced into contrition and has changed its tune. But have any lessons been learnt?

They’re big, red, juicy and now available in XXL. Responding to a bumper crop of strawberries, retailers have started selling 1-kilogram punnets of the summery treat. But which brand will capitalise on this berry abundance? And, crucially, do the giant ones taste as sweet?

 UK shoppers spend more on online groceries than any other country in the world, according to new figures. Driven by convenience; made possible by the country’s geography—the figures are certainly encouraging for e-commerce retailers. But, with less than one-third of consumers buying their groceries online, it’s not yet goodbye for bricks-and-mortar stores.

Hillary Mantel, acclaimed author of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies has, in the first of five Reith Lectures to be aired on BBC Radio 4, argued that in death “we enter into fiction” and the lives of the dead “are given shape and meaning by the living”. But not everyone agrees—particularly historians who claim that the fictionalised fill-ins employed by Mantel in her historical tomes pose a serious danger of distorting the truth for future generations.

 McDonald’s in France has decided that some burgers are just too fancy to be eaten with your hands. It is now offering plastic cutlery with its range of gourmet burgers. Will this be just the ticket to tempt more discerning diners or a risky move away from the core identity of global fast food chains?

Jun 9, 2017

Secret agent Bond liked it “Shaken, not stirred” but the legendary actor who played 007, Sir Roger Moore liked his treats covered chocolate and served on a stick. According to the late actor’s pal, Chrissy Iley, Moore invented the Magnum ice cream. As we swelter in our podcast studio at Eulogy’s secret London hideout, we hope that Magnum maker Walls will release special Bond edition ice cream that’s licensed to chill.

 

Recent referendum and election predictions have left pollster YouGov red-faced, so the company has devised a controversial new methodology. Some media have accused the research agency of wonky maths, but one tabloid’s reaction to YouGov’s hung parliament prophecy was more extreme. Presenter Ollie Pink goes crimson with anger when he smells a rat: is it a case of the publisher finding fault when the facts don't support its narrative? 

 

The new Wonder Woman film has broken box office records. Proof that audiences will flock to a superhero film with a female lead, directed by a woman. Will this be the film that finally breaks the glass ceiling for female directors? 

 

She’s modeled haute couture but ex-supermodel Heidi Klum’s latest fashion line is going to be decidedly budget friendly. She is launching a new range with discount supermarket, Lidl. Will this clever partnership make Lidl the go-to retailer for fashionistas? 

May 19, 2017

The NHS was crippled by hackers, but who dunit? Was it North Korea? The Americans? The Russians? No one knows for sure, but everyone has been quick to the point the finger. Thank heavens for Marcus Hutchins, a 22 year old surfer from Poole, whose computer wizardry saved the day.

 

Also online this week, Theresa May did her first live Facebook Q&A. The public responded with a flurry of angry emojis and strangely a flutter of flowers. But was this really the way to engage voters? Or just another political stunt? And did a certain Jeremy from Islington, steal May’s moment?

 

Moors murderer Ian Brady died on Tuesday, having never revealed the location of Keith Bennett’s remains, but the nation’s fascination with monsters and all things morbid lives on.  

 

Quit the diet and throw out the veg box. It’s tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and whole grains that are making us fat. Or rather the lectin in plants that’s doing the damage according to a new book by Dr Steven Gundry. Nothing it seems is safe to eat. Pass the lard, I’m going lectin free. 

 

This year’s Bafta speeches made the headlines for more than one reason. The BBC cut off Damilola Taylor’s father’s emotional knife crime plea. Should acceptance speeches be kept light and anecdotal? Or are they a powerful platform for pressing issues? And the legendary Joanna Lumley showed her unique perspective on the industry when accepting an award for long-standing contribution.

 

Finally a McDonald’s advert left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, getting scores of complaints that it had exploited child bereavement. Brands may want to strike an cord, but it essential that their efforts to connect are not felt as emotional manipulation.

 

May 5, 2017

Less than a week to go and France will decide on its new President. In the blue corner Marie Le Pen and in the purple corner Emmanuel Macron. The pollsters have Macron firmly in the lead. But after a spate of shock election results, the outcome is far from certain. Will it be Madame le Président or Monsieur le Président?  

 

Down under Facebook is in a spot of bother after leaked documents showed it targeted emotionally insecure young people. Allegedly the social media giant has been exploiting the moods of 'vulnerable' teenagers at the benefit of advertisers. It’s not the first time Facebook has been caught meddling with our mood. So should we be surprised by its practice of selling us to advertisers when we are feeling low?  

 

Happy birthday, Princess Charlotte - two years old this week! But what would the fourth in line to the throne look like in high street fashion? Ponder no longer The Sun has the answer after Photoshopping her royal highness into a jazzy River Island number. Really regal, or royally wrong? 

 

From high street to high end, there’s a designer bag that bears a remarkable resemblance to an Ikea bag. It’s big and it’s blue and it costs a whopping £1,600, but can you fit flat pack furniture in it? Swift off the mark, in an inspired piece of ‘moment marketing’, IKEA released a hilarious swipe at the French fashion house’s new ‘it’ bag: a handy guide to identifying “an original IKEA FRAKTA bag.” And if you’d like to get your hands on one it can be yours for the bargain price 40p. Now that’s what I call affordable fashion.

 

From endlessly repeating sound bites to not having a clue what you are talking about, Prime Minister, Theresa May and Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Diane Abbott, demonstrate what not to do in a media interview. Listeners and viewers who are easily embarrassed should look away.

 

Get set to pay a high price for your guacamole and surcharge on your smashed avocado on toast. After a serious drought in California and a growers strike in Mexico, avocado prices are rising steeply. Will higher prices put hipsters off their favourite breakfast item?

 

Apr 28, 2017

Kim K, was photographed by paparazzi in Mexico in an itty bitty bikini, but  horror of horrors she has cellulite. Piers Morgan look away now, we know it’s just too shocking to be believed. Kim may be a social media mega star with a supreme amount of junk in her trunk, but there are definite dimples on her assets. The big questions is: who cares?

 

Serena Williams has called IIie Nastase’s nasty comments about her unborn child ‘racist’. With comments so clearly out of bounds the International Tennis Federation has launched an investigation into the Romanian tennis captain. Why did the  former men’s world No. 1 think it was appropriate to speculate on William’s child?

 

From playing a fictional hero, film hunk Tom Hardy has become a real life one by chasing down a moped thief while filming in London. The muscle-bound star proved that all those hours getting into shape for camera have not been wasted on mere blockbuster entertainment.

 

Has wacky packaging or ‘wackaging’ gone too far? Founder of the Leon fast-food restaurants is adamant it has, calling it “unbelievably irritating and infantile.” But do consumers enjoy a fun pun? Or is it truly what’s inside that matters?   

 

Outgoing head of UCAS has said students shouldn’t worry about getting a job for six months after graduating. However her comments didn’t chime with many who pointed to scarcity of graduate jobs and need to repay student loans. Even well meaning advice, as the adage goes, can be ill received.  

 

Greggs the high street baker has been shortlisted for a Responsible Business Award following its inclusive policy of hiring former convicts. So next time you tuck into a pasty, not only can you enjoy its tasty pastry goodness, but feel morally satisfied as well. Nice one Greggs!   

 

Apr 20, 2017

After months of insisting there wouldn’t be a general election until 2020, on Tuesday, Theresa May changed her mind. Hold on to your hats people, the UK is going to the vote in the fourth major poll in four years! The excitement was just too much for Brenda from Bristol who summed up what many people were feeling when she told a BBC reporter You’re joking? Not another one!

Meanwhile North Korea heightened global stress levels when it announced it will test missiles weekly, despite – or perhaps because of – growing tensions with the US. It’s disturbing situation that urgently needs some swift diplomacy.

Back in Blighty and Prince Harry was the source of some much needed positive news. The heir to the throne gave a frank interview to the Daily Telegraph about his struggle with grief and decision to get counselling. Thus proving that mental health issues can affect anyone and helping to break down the barriers that stop people talking about their struggles. Nice one Harry!

In Tech land, Facebook shared its vision of the future at its F8 conference. Forget the diet, quit the gym... were going virtual. From new VR product spaces to AR camera filters, we are all getting an upgrade. It’s Facebook’s world and we’re just living in it.

Just when you thought the people of Liverpool couldn’t despise the Sun newspaper any more, Kelvin MacKenzie stokes fresh controversy by comparing Everton FC player Ross Barkley to a gorilla. Kelvin has already been suspended by News UK, but with the Mayor of Liverpool reporting the columnist to the police over what he claims were racist comments, the consequences for the outspoken journalist could be career ending.  

For the full report, listen in as Chloe, Ollie, and Harry pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/.  And if you have any feedback, please get in touch podcast@eulogy.co.uk.         

Apr 13, 2017

It can be difficult to please everyone with just the one global message in the polarised world of 2017, but Pepsi has admirably managed to achieve the impossible: unite almost everyone – from Breitbart to the Guardian – behind a single reaction to its latest ad. What a shame that reaction was characterised by cringing and squirming.

 

But, while their creative team might be on the naughty step, Phil Borge praises how deftly the comms team dealt with the fallout. It was swift, apologetic and humble.

 

The same cannot be said for United Airlines, which is still fumbling its way through a PR nightmare since Monday, when a video surfaced showing a passenger being forcibly removed from an overbooked flight.

 

Brutal and bloody as this video was, it is still easier to watch than the tangled web of statements, excuses and misjudgements which followed in its wake. 

 

“Between lawyers and brand consultants, United Airlines is treading a fine line; clumsily and possibly after a few drinks.”

 

*

Another mess comes in a more grave form: the Syria conflict, which is drawing in more nation states and more geopolitical danger by the minute.

 

Dominating the newscycle over the past fortnight, the crisis came to a head last Friday when the US launched a missile strike on airbases controlled by the Syrian government, in reaction to the use of chemical weapons – believed to be orchestrated by Assad – mere days before.

 

Both Russia and Iran threatened military force against the US if there was further action from the superpower.

 

This is now, in all but name, a proxy war. Relations between Russia and the US are now so strained as to be comparable to the Cold War.

 

*

 

OC&C Strategy Consultants released a report which found that Google and Facebook will take 70 per cent of all digital ad spend by 2020.

 

Press Gazette, the trade website for UK newspapers and magazines, took umbrage to this news, promptly launching an emotive campaign to ‘stop the duopoly from destroying UK journalism’.

 

Apr 6, 2017

It’s a perfectly reasonable thing to say at the end of an interview, that next time you might give the journalist a slap. Nothing at all wrong with that, nothing threatening, aggressive, or totally out of line, red-card-worthy, offside, or just plain wack-a-doodle. Nope, that’s just a very normal way to end an interview.

 

In other news...

 

Theresa May is visiting Saudi Arabia for talks with their government. Will she wear a headscarf? Or will she do a Michelle Obama and let her luscious locks fly free in the face of Foreign Office recommendations that women cover their hair?

 

Apple has pulled out of its partnership with Imagination Technologies, dealing out a potentially fatal blow. Which goes to show that you don’t get to be a tech colossus without cultivating a killer ruthless streak.

 

Finally... the Italians may have invented it but, for one British pizza chain, that’s no reason not to show them how to make better. This week Franco Manca announced plans to open a restaurant in Italy. It may seem counter-intuitive, but with 33 UK restaurants already there is clearly something right about their recipe. 

 

 

 For the full report listen in as Chloe, Nicola and Adam pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/  And if you have any feedback, please 

Mar 28, 2017

Avid listeners may have noticed that the headliner wasn’t broadcast last week. Having recorded the podcast on Wednesday morning, we were at that point blissfully ignorant of the events that would play out that day.

 

As the tragic news unfolded that a car had driven into pedestrians on Westminster bridge, attempted to storm the Palace of Westminster (Britain’s bastion of democracy) and the assailant stabbed and killed an unarmed policeman, we like many of our fellow Londoners gathered round our television screens in shock. We took the decision that with so many facts still unknown a podcast which prides itself on media analysis and intelligence could not discuss the story in a meaningful way which paid due respect to all those affected by the tragedy. 

 

Having had some time to process not only the actions of that day but also the vast array of opinions which followed,  joining our anchor, Chloe, to discuss the impact both on the media itself and those who work with it, is Scot Devine and Lis Field.

Mar 17, 2017

Facebook has just launched Messenger Day, a new messenger app to compete with Snapchat. But after its earlier attempts with Poke and Flyte flopped, have they nailed what the kids want? And will this iteration last more than 24 hours?

 

Silver screen legend King Kong is back and he’s got a mega marketing budget to boot. Currently on a monster rampage at the box office, will this latest Kong film be a roaring success or a thumping failure?

 

Scotland wants a divorce, things just aren’t working out and they’d like to see other people. Brace yourselves it’s looking like we’re going to have another referendum.

 

Food blogger Jack Monroe has won £24,000 damages, plus legal costs, in a libel action against columnist Katie Hopkins after a row over two tweets. Is this high court ruling evidence of a change in what’s acceptable on social media? And is any fine punitive enough to make Katie Hopkins moderate her online behavior?

 

Boaty McBoatface is setting off on its face maiden voyage. It’s an unmanned submersible but it is also a great example of what happens when you give the public free reign to vote on a new name. Bon voyage Boaty.  

 

We end on a stinker of a story as we consider the latest advice from the forestry commission, who are advocating a stick and flick method for dealing with dog poop. With approximately eight million dogs in the UK, this is a sizeable issue that can’t be easily flushed away.  

 

Listen in as Matt, Susie and Chloe pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/.

Mar 9, 2017

Facebook demonstrated just how not to handle a media enquiry this week, when the social media giant responded to the BBC, flagging sexualised images of children on the site, by reporting the journalists to the police. The reaction by the Commons media committee and NSPC has been suitably scathing.

 

Meanwhile in Switzerland petrol heads got a lung full of the future at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show. You can put your hands behind your head and breathe deep as the next generation of motor vehicles is not only clean but also self driving. 

 

Back in Britain, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s budget will likely provide extra money for new free schools in England, which could include grammars, but the announcement has been met with some hostility.  Titles including the Sun and Mirror see it as a return two tier education system.

 

Rupert Murdoch, a man not easily deterred, is bidding again to take over Sky. However Labour MP and shadow culture Secretary Tom Watson is having none of it, insisting that Ofcom consider corporate governance failures at Murdoch’s media empire.  

 

London's new black cab is secretly being tested in the Arctic Circle, but can the iconic taxi keep pace with the polar bears? Or is this “almost a zero-emissions vehicle” on thin ice? 

 

Finally it is British Pie Week and with much lip smacking we get our chops around the nation’s favourite pies. 

 

Listen in as Scot, Richard and Chloe pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/.

Mar 3, 2017

It will go down as one of the most memorable and cringe-worthy mistakes of all time. The Oscar for best picture goes to...La La Land, sorry I mean Moonlight. Cue chaos, red-faces and confusion for the Oscars, but for some quick-witted brands, this mistake was a ripe opportunity to hijack the news.

 

Nearly a year after the collapse of BHS, Sir Philip Green has put his hand in his pocket and announced he will contribute £363 million to the pension fund. While this is great news for former BHS staff, the coverage has been cynical. The media implied this just a ploy to help Green cling onto to his knighthood.

 

The press has been giving Uber a bumpy ride of late. Seemingly not a week goes by without the company becoming embroiled in some fresh crisis. The latest is a video of the CEO ranting at an Uber driver. Can Uber’s issues be fixed with a quick tune-up, or there something seriously wrong under the bonnet?

 

Flipping heck, this week was Pancake day. Whether you like yours done in the traditional style with sugar and lemon, or you jumped on the trend for souped-up pancake suppers, you will surely have seen restaurants concocting clever ideas to drive custom and media coverage alike.

 

Sniff it and see - advice to live by according to the WRAP campaign group trying to reduce food waste. Are you a slave to best before dates, or do you scoff in the face of mouldy dairy? With 100,000 million pints of milk going down the drain each year we all need to sniff it before we bin it.

 

Listen in as Chloe, Scott and Radhika pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/

 

Want to get involved in the conversation? Get in touch with your views or simply send us your feedback by emailing podcast@eulogy.co.uk.

Feb 24, 2017

With only a few days to go until the Oscars and the annual rolling out of the red carpet, we look forward to the glitz and the glamour, and wonder which brands will have the most quick-footed creativity to capitalise on this year’s star-studded affair.

 

Closer to home, Piers Morgan has pulled out of presenting the Royal Television Society awards after some of the judges took umbrage with his support for a certain Mr. T. His detractors claim he failed to understand a social movement that values equality and diversity of voice. Is the tide turning against professional opinion givers who would say just about anything to garner headlines? Or is this incident just a luvvie’s spat?

 

For years football terraces around the country have posited in unison one of life’s greatest questions: “who ate all the pies?”. The answer it seems is Wayne Shaw, former reserve goalkeeper for Sutton. His footballing career may be over after a PR stunt gone wrong, but other pie based opportunities abound. If you’d rather tuck into something sweet, why not indulge in the latest food trend – the chocolate crumpet, slathered in maple butter it’s the perfect antidote to 2016 fad for clean eating. 

 

Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keida have lost their appeal to enter into a civil partnership. Should they shut up and put a ring on it? Or now more than ever do we need crusaders willing to stand up for what they believe in?

 

10,000 steps a day? Too much? Not enough? The only thing we love more than a fitness fad is debunking a fitness fad.

 

Listen in as Chloe, Lucie and Phil pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/

 

Want to get involved in the conversation? Get in touch with your views or simply send us your feedback by emailing podcast@eulogy.co.uk.

Feb 17, 2017

JK Rowling’s magic shames Morgan

Harry Potter fans and Piers Morgan enemies punched the air in victory this week as best-selling author; JK Rowling displayed her Twitter wizardry by tricking Morgan into making a complete fool of himself.

 

Alternative facts – the pot calls the kettle black

Theirs wasn’t the only battle, as Wikipedia banned the Daily Mail as a reliable news source. Should a small group of amateur editors at an internet encyclopaedia decide whether a nationally-regulated newspaper is credible? 

 

A Hollywood-style murder

From fake news to a shocking story that is all too real. Kim Jong-nam was assassinated by poison in Malaysia’s main airport. The murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong-u’s half-brother seemed straight out of Hollywood, but was the Supreme Leader behind the hit?

 

Has Pewdiepie killed his career?

With more than 52 million subscribers and over 14 billion video views, YouTube’s biggest star, stage name PewDiePie, is a Millenial-targeting marketers dream. That dream turned nightmarish this week, was found to have published at least nine anti-Semitic videos.

 

Salt and Vinne-gar

The London Crisp Co. has hired Vinnie Jones in a bid to steal market share from market leader, Walkers. Will the goliath marketing machine of Walkers crunch the crispy start-up underfoot? Or will the box office appeal of Vinnie Jones sling the small company to a victory?

 

Calling from the past - a throwback makes a comeback

Remember a pre-emjoi world where your phone was for phone calls, sndg txts, and playing Snake? If nostalgia - and battery life, and a phone that doesn’t shatter when you look at it – is your thing, you’re in for a treat: Nokia re-launched the phone this week.

For the full report listen in as Chloe, Matt and Scott pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/

Feb 9, 2017

Allegedly David Beckham really wants a Knighthood and is fuming he hasn’t yet got one. Golden Balls was left red-faced after a hack saw his private email rants go public. But will this controversy damage the globally successful Beckham brand? Or should Becks have been given the Royal nod from Liz long ago?

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow caused controversy when he made his feelings about Trump public. If the Speaker has his way, the US President will not address the House when he visits the UK. But was Bercrow speaking for Britain, or talking out of turn?

We also talk tech this week, as an Orwellian turn of events saw 11 million smart TV’s secretly spy on viewers. American TV manufacturer, Vizio, got a slap on the wrists to the tune of $2.2 million after it was revealed they had been watching their customers’ viewing habits without warning. A gross invasion of privacy or simply the price we pay for better and more personalised TV recommendations?

Closer to home, a new report by think tank Reform found 250,000 public sector jobs are at risk to robots. Is the rise of the robo-employee inevitable, or is the media playing on our fears by making an android mountain out of a toaster sized molehill? 

Finally, pop princess Kylie M took down reality TV star Kylie J in court. Who springs to mind when you hear the name Kylie will depend on your age and location. But the right to trade under the Kylie brand is an immensely valuable business outcome. She famously sang ‘I should be so lucky’, but we reckon this victory was more lawyers than luck.

For the full report listen in as Chloe, Scot and Jack pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/

And if you have any feedback please email podcast@eulogy.co.uk.

Feb 3, 2017

This week we talk travel. Rail fares got simpler but getting into the US got more complicated for some. The overhaul of Britain’s rail fares should mean less confusion at the ticket machine and will hopefully be good news for long-suffering passengers - but is all really as it appears? Meanwhile, across the pond, Trump's rushed-in travel ban has sparked fury and protests. Brands have been quick to make their feelings on the divisive policy known. But will wading into politics give them personality or alienate customers who feel differently?

 

Somewhere else in time and a relative dimension, it was announced that Peter Capaldi’s days as Dr Who are numbered. The papers are rife with speculation of who will be the next Time Lord and whether or not after 12 Lords audiences are finally ready for a Time Lady.

 

Back on Earth, two of the big six energy companies have said they are considering rewarding loyal customers. Those on the higher standard tariff could receive perks such as a free boiler service. Can new loyalty schemes make us feel warm and fuzzy towards our energy providers? Or is it not enough to change the temperature of our relationship?

 

This podcast is strategic, creative, specialised and passionate. But so it seems is everyone else. LinkedIn has revealed the 10 most overused marketing buzzwords on CVs. Just how many are on your CV? Finally a bucket list for your nostrils, 21 scents to smell before you die. From jasmine in Grasse to maple syrup in NYC and Durian fruit in Bangkok. We assault your senses with the most distinctive scents from around the world. 

 

For the full report listen in as Chloe, Adrian and Ollie pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/

 

And if you have any feedback please email podcast@eulogy.co.uk.

 

Jan 26, 2017

It is the social media platform of choice for centennials, where delete is the default but with more than 100 million daily users Snapchat is big business. Ahead of what could be the year’s biggest IPO, Snapchat is cleaning up its act to boost advertising revenues and drive its perceived value to the limit. In a bid to show just how grown up it is and attract new advertising revenue Snapchat has announced it will be cracking down on racy content and fake news. Can the ephemeral social media site keep it users engaged while courting investors?

 

Quit the kale smoothie and calm it with the quinoa, the “clean eating” fad has turned toxic. In pursuit of healthier lives and svelte figures, many of us got on 2016’s hottest dietary bandwagon. Despite the hunger pangs and cravings, we followed so-called new food gurus such as Ella Mills (aka Deliciously Ella) and the Hemsley sisters. But following concerns the restrictive diet legitimated eating disorders, is this food fad now passé? Will 2017 be the year we swap the spiralizer for the rainbow sprinkle?

 

The woman’s work wardrobe was the subject of a joint Committee report - High heels and workplace dress codes, which found that unscrupulous employers are forcing force female employees to wear revealing dresses and reapply makeup in the workplace. While most commentators found this to be unacceptable and depressing, Piers Morgan took to Twitter to defend the rights of employers to insist women wear high heels. After all, he argued wearing heels is no more uncomfortable than wearing a suit. Right?

 

For the full report listen in as Chloe, Katie and Scot pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/. And if you have any feedback please email podcast@eulogy.co.uk

Jan 20, 2017

He is the ultimate unavoidable on the news agenda, but is Donald Trump toxic to the brands that support him or a boon to businesses? Barely a week since his combative press conference about the dirty dossier, and now there’s claims Trump plans to ban press from the White House. Will social media suffice for the new president, or will he come to rue the day he went to war with the White House Press Corps?

 

Closer to home, Theresa May delivered her twelve-point plan for Brexit and unsurprisingly it was on the front page of all the papers. How much does her outfit and haircut matter in shaping these historic negotiations? Not an iota, but it didn’t stop the commentators, from making their observations.

 

The name’s Bond, Jane Bond. UK Government Communications Headquarters has come to the realisation that we need more female spies and has launched an initiative to recruit social media savvy schoolgirls. Laudable for sure, but is an exclusive in the Daily Telegraph the best way to reach teenage girls?

 

For the full report listen in as Chloe, Lis and Ollie pick apart the biggest stories of the week. If you want to hear more come visit us at http://www.eulogy.co.uk/views/

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