Three examples of Public Relations for inspiration
"If I was down to my last dollar, I'd spend it on public relations," said Bill Gates. He hit the nail on the head with this - we have the quote hanging in the office for a reason. PR, or Public Relations, is indeed invaluable for companies and individuals. It is the difference between going unnoticed and gaining global recognition. We give you some remarkable, successful examples of Public Relations activities and tell you why we think they are so good.
Airbnb for Ukraine: the example of a successful PR activity
The war in Ukraine is undoubtedly one of the most far-reaching events of recent years. In an admirable move to offer support to those directly affected by this war, Airbnb announced that they would provide free accommodation to Ukrainian refugees who reached America. Under the guise of 'Opening homes in times of crisis', this show of support made it to several international media outlets, including The Guardian, CBS News and CNN. And with results: this eye-catching PR campaign resulted in more than 28,000 Americans volunteering their homes to host refugees. Moreover, the campaign generated more than $10 million in donations.
Why is this a good example of successful PR activities? Because 'Opening Houses in Times of Crisis' really showed that Airbnb is more than a commercial platform. They proved themselves as a company with a social conscience. By offering free accommodation to emergency workers and victims during emergencies, they made it clear that they care about the community. At the same time, this campaign has given their brand image a big boost. In short, we are talking about a clear win-win situation here.
Example of a genius PR stunt: Banksy
One of the most remarkable PR stunts of the past decade bears the signature of anonymous street artist Banksy. In 2018, his famous work 'The girl with the balloon' was auctioned by Sotheby's for an impressive sum of €1.2 million. But the most striking thing happened only after the auction hammer had fallen: the painting suddenly slipped out of one frame and fell through a built-in paper shredder into a new frame. From a PR perspective, this was a masterstroke. Attention for the artwork shot through the roof. Among others, The Guardian, BBC and CBS News praised Banksy's action. The result was also stunning: the original value of €1.2 million rose to roughly €22 million.
This genius example of a PR stunt created so much media attention because of the surprise effect. When the artwork partially destroyed itself, people worldwide were stunned. This unexpected and subversive element made it an unforgettable event. In addition, the stunt also reinforced the mystique around Banksy and created intense media coverage. It brought art and commercialisation back into the limelight and thus sparked a new social debate.
Own example PR campaign: 'Don't be so fossil' by Seepje
Here is an example from our own PR hat: our PR campaign for Seepje. Because why stay modest? The sustainable soap brand wanted to shine the spotlight on all the fossil ingredients you find in everyday cleaning and washing products. These items are not only bad for our health, but above all completely unnecessary. Under the catchy motto 'Don't be so fossil', Seepje, with our help, reached more than six million Dutch people via media channels such as RTL, Change.inc, Adformatie and MT/Sprout. As if that wasn't enough, they also got an in-depth interview about B-Corps on De Ondernemer, which was devoured by more than 350,000 readers. This all contributed to Seepje's status as a true forerunner in their industry.
We include 'Don't be so fossil' among good examples of Public Relations. Even if we say so ourselves. First, it managed to draw attention to the importance of sustainability in a world plagued by climate problems. Second, the term 'fossil' spoke directly to the heart of consumers and encouraged them to think about their choices. Moreover, the campaign was innovative and catchy, using humour to raise a serious issue. Clearly a successful recipe: with a reach of millions of Dutch people, Seepje came closer to their goal of making the world cleaner and more sustainable.
'If I was down to my last dollar....'
These PR examples show once again that Bill Gates was right. Public Relations enhances a company's reputation, builds trust with customers and increases brand awareness and authority. It creates new opportunities, generates new media attention and ultimately ensures business success. Don't have a dollar to spare? No problem, we also accept euros.
Create your own Public Relations examples?
Now that you are inspired by some Public Relations examples, you can start creating them yourself. We can help you! Leave your details here or contact Thomas Bekker, on +31 (0)6 1932 8584 or thomas@mediatic.eu/en.
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