World Cup: brands are convinced football IS coming home to England
Brands are getting behind the notion that ‘it’ (the World Cup trophy) is ‘coming home’ to (England, the disputed birthplace of football).
Brands believe football is coming home
Whether this is an accurate and sincerely held belief or a fun attempt to tie into a meme-worthy trend does not matter, it has not become an integral part of multiple brands' real-time marketing efforts as they queue up some impressive efforts behind showing some national pride.
While Twitter got into a spot of bother earlier this week for the #ItsComingHome hashtag carrying bookmaker William Hill’s branding after concerns it would reach children, many brands have tapped into the trend now.
Here’s how brands jumped on the Three Lions bandwagon.
M&S
England manger Gareth Southgate's commitment to his M&S branded waistcoat is almost as impressive as the sales uplift this would-be influencer has rippled in-stores.
Gone are the days of Southgate's cheesy Pizza Hut ads.
British Airways
BA, with the help of Ogilvy UK mocked up a classy return ticket for football's eventual return 'home'. Note the especially clever inclusion of 'Gate: South:.
It's coming home... pic.twitter.com/Qxg8g0HvLe — British Airways (@British_Airways) July 7, 2018
It upped the cringe factor with this gate message however.
We have gone Too Far pic.twitter.com/ZvbN644KKK
— Katie Deighton (@DollyDeighton) July 10, 2018
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains showed some benevolence to football fans, showing a commitment to get party-goers home.
News UK
Football is probably more likely to 'come home' if corporate entities unfurl unfeasibly large flags down the front of their headquarters. News UK probably boasts the largest St George's Cross in the land.
Coca-Cola
Coke's takeover of Piccadilly may come close. The Piccadilly Circus screen is 17.56m high x 44.62m. The Drum has contacted News UK to learn the size of its flag.
Aston Martin
Why not bring 'it' home in a brand new Aston Martin with a registration plate reference this The Drum journalist does not get.