This year, UK brands have gone above and beyond, turning marketing campaigns into unforgettable experiences. From high-concept collaborations to playful stunts, they’ve shown that creativity and agility are key to winning over audiences. Let’s dive into four standout campaigns and explore what made them so successful, along with some practical takeaways you can use to elevate your next marketing move.
Greggs: Champagne Dreams, Sausage Roll Realities
Greggs, the much-loved high street bakery, is making headlines again with the launch of its very first champagne bar in Newcastle’s Fenwick Food Hall. Following the success of last year’s fine dining bistro, Greggs is raising the bar—literally—with a menu that reimagines its classics alongside gourmet drinks. Think sausage rolls elevated with hot honey and chilli sauce, steak bakes paired with peppercorn aioli, and even cocktails inspired by their iconic sweet treats. Who wouldn’t want a Yum Yum Twist cocktail made with real yum yums?
By playfully blending everyday favourites with high-end dining, Greggs has managed to bridge the gap between accessibility and luxury. The exclusivity of this experience, coupled with its undeniable sense of fun, has captured the imagination of both fans and foodies. Whether it’s the thought of sipping prosecco alongside a sausage roll or the opportunity to buy premium bottles paired with crowd-pleasing classics, this campaign is a testament to Greggs’ knack for reinvention.
@greggsofficial A Greggs Champagne Bar? At Fenwick? With all your favourite bakes, bubbles, and cocktails? How do you book? Well since you asked, link in bio ✨🥂#Greggs #Champagne #Fenwick #Fyp
CPR Bra by St John Ambulance: Fashion That Saves Lives
St John Ambulance has taken a bold and necessary step towards saving lives with the launch of its CPR Bra. Research revealed a troubling statistic: nearly a third of Brits hesitate to perform CPR on a woman, fearing the stigma of touching her chest. The CPR Bra confronts this issue head-on, featuring a clear message—‘It’s OK to save my life’—and a step-by-step guide to performing CPR.
With the support of high-profile advocates like Chelsea football captain Millie Bright and disability activist Lucy Edwards, the campaign has made a powerful impact on social media. Videos demonstrating the bra’s life-saving potential have gone viral, sparking conversations around overcoming social taboos to prioritise saving lives.
@milliebright04 It’s OK to Save My Life! Did you know that 1 in 3 people are afraid to give life-saving CPR to a woman because they are worried about touching her breasts? New research from St John Ambulance has exposed a gender gap in CPR. This needs to change! I’ve been working with @St John Ambulance England to launch the CPR Bra on Restart a Heart Day tomorrow, to highlight the issue facing women. CPR training empowers you to respond fast and potentially save a teammate’s life – on and off the pitch. Your family, your friend, a stranger – it could happen to anyone of us and regardless of gender, we need to treat every ‘body’ the same when it comes to CPR. The CPR Bra is designed to reassure people that taking action, fast, is the right thing to do. Join me in helping to close the gender survival gap by visiting the charity’s website to learn how to save a life today. Link in my bio🫶🏼 #CPRbra #RestartAHeart
This campaign shows the power of purpose-driven marketing that educates and empowers. St John Ambulance didn’t just create a product; they ignited a movement, addressing a real-world problem with creativity and urgency.
Sky Broadband and the Sugababes: A Nostalgic Surprise at King’s Cross
Sky Broadband proved switching providers could be as easy as ‘pushing the button’ by enlisting the Sugababes for a surprise performance at King’s Cross. The campaign blended the band’s iconic hit Push the Button with Sky’s new One Touch Switch process, which promises to make broadband switching hassle-free.
As commuters pressed a button on a cleverly disguised billboard, the Sugababes appeared, transforming the ad into a live stage. The trio, cheekily rebranded as the Suga Broadband Babes, brought joy and nostalgia to unsuspecting Londoners while promoting Sky’s new 24/7 switching support service.
Sky’s mix of live performance, witty nostalgia, and seamless product integration is marketing gold. By leaning into beloved pop culture while tackling a common frustration—switching broadband—this campaign struck a perfect balance of fun and practicality.
Taco Bell: A Leeds Flat with a Tex-Mex Twist
Taco Bell took experiential marketing to a new level by transforming a student flat in Leeds into a taco-lover’s paradise. Dubbed Taccommodation, the flat features menu boards, ordering screens, and even reusable Taco Bell cutlery, all designed to recreate the authentic Taco Bell experience. The lucky tenant, student and superfan Arabelle Holme, gets to live rent-free for the academic year—for just £1.99, the price of a burrito.
@tacobell_uk Not your typical uni house kitchen…🔥 We heard superfan @Arabelle‘s kitchen was craving some flavour, so we gave it a makeover into the ultimate Taco Bell setup, ready for all those late-night cravings and study fuel sessions 🌯✨
This campaign hit all the right notes by targeting its student demographic with a fun, cost-of-living-conscious twist. It’s both a clever PR move and a relatable solution to rising living costs, all wrapped in the quirky, cheeky tone Taco Bell is known for.
Key Takeaways from 2024’s Marketing Winners
So, what can we learn from this year’s standout campaigns?
Playful disruption pays off: Greggs proved that flipping expectations on their head can make your brand the talk of the town.
Purpose is powerful: St John Ambulance reminded us that campaigns with a strong social impact resonate deeply with audiences.
Nostalgia sells: Sugababes showed how to bring retro appeal into a modern context.
Go local and immersive: Taco Bell’s Leeds flat takeover demonstrated the impact of creating unforgettable, audience-specific experiences.
At Prohibition, we believe in creating campaigns that not only stand out but also drive tangible results. Whether it’s a clever twist on nostalgia or an impactful purpose-driven initiative, we can help you craft the perfect strategy for your brand. Drop us a line at hello@prohibitionpr.co.uk or call us on 0113 430 4160.
For more interesting blogs check out:
2024’s Standout Marketing Campaigns: From ‘Bundles of Joy’ Whoppers to Lockable Pizza Boxes
From Launch to Loyalty: Proven Strategies to Cut Through the Saturated Food and Beverage Market
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