Top of the PR Pops: September

Oh hey PR peeps!

It's that time of the month again - that's right - it's TOTPRP (Top of the PR pops).

Here is our pick of the smartest (and cutest) campaigns and news from the super month of September...

British Gas: Wilbur The Penguin

With animated snowmen, Russian meerkats and talking monkeys, advertising is clearly evolving from information-heavy to creative that triggers emotion and uses humour to entertain viewers - and British Gas has just followed suit with Wilbur the penguin.

"Warm & working", created by CHI & Partners, introduces Wilbur, a penguin explorer who enters a family’s home and is drawn to the flame of the boiler, the hot water, and a warm radiator.

Sarah Golding, Chief Executive at CHI & Partners, said: "The Warm & Working campaign is a warmer, more customer-focused evolution of the Planet Home creative – demonstrating how much British Gas cares about helping its customers look after their homes."

Google: Customer Match Tool

Google has rolled out "Customer Match", a new tool to help brands reach specific customers and push apps.

Customer Match will allow brands to upload a list of email addresses that can be matched to signed-in users on Google "in a secure and privacy-safe way". 

Sridhar Ramaswamy, the senior vice president for ads and commerce at Google, wrote: "With Customer Match, your brand is right there, with the right message, at the moment your customer is most receptive".

The tool also has a similar audience element, meaning brands can reach new customers on YouTube and Gmail who are likely to be interested in their products and services.

AIG: Virtual Rugby

American International Group (AIG) is bringing rugby fans closer to the game with their Haka 360º Experience.

The app, which uses 360º video technology, gives viewers the feeling of being on the pitch and in the midst of the Māori ritual, the Haka.

“This electrifying world first experience of being transported onto the rugby field with the team is not to be missed.” said Daniel Glantz, Global Head of Sponsorship for AIG at the launch event.

“We wanted to bring fans closer to the All Blacks and what better way to do that than to harness the power of 360 degree video technology to bring them face to face with the legendary haka. The video enables users to look anywhere and control their own experience; allowing them to truly feel like they have taken their place on the field with the All Blacks.”

Uber: Breathe Easy, Singapore

Singapore's PSI levels have been rising to alarming levels over recent weeks - and Uber's stepped in.

Understanding that its people still need to get out and about, the global taxi firm is using its power to deliver haze protection masks to its loyal passengers.

#UberHEALTH was available all day on 24th September and Uber users were able to request their On-Demand haze masks within their app – for free! 

Uber's word on the matter: "Stay healthy and stay safe, Singapore!"